The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is one of the biggest and most famous biker clubs in the world. The club, which was founded as a way for veterans to connect and create a community, has over time become a worldwide phenomenon. You won’t believe what you have to do to join the infamous biker gang.
Humble Beginnings
Most of the versions agree that the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club was officially formed on March 17, 1948 in Fontana, California. The club’s founders were the Bishop family and a few other World War II veterans that banded together from different post-war bike clubs like the Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington.
Despite speculation to the contrary regarding a criminal element, the Hells Angels maintain that they started the club because military surplus had suddenly made motorcycles reasonably inexpensive and because many young men after the war were feeling copped up and missing the company of their fellow soldiers
The Club Name Was Based on a Squadron Nickname
The name Hells Angels is commonly believed to have been suggested by Arvid Olson, an associate of the founders but not a member himself. Olson served in the Flying Tigers “Hell’s Angels” fighter squadron in China during World War II.
The nickname “Hell’s Angels” came about similarly to other nicknames which American soldiers used in World War I and II. They tried to think of the toughest and most intimidating names and used them for their squadrons.
