The Rockers subculture

The Rockers

British subculture

Jan Tena, Matthias Pina, Ava Sitbon

INDEX

01

03

Origins and emergence

Social and political ideas

02

04

Music and taste

Characteristics

05

Decline, legacy and resurgence

Origins and emergence

Origins and causes of this subculture

- Originated in the UK during the 50' (POst WW2 period). - Based on motorcycling and rock 'n' roll music. - Causes: 1. Influence of american music and films 2. Development of british motorcycling industry 2. Financing for young people 3. Construction of British Highways

Characteristics

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

- Also known as:1. "Ton-up-boys": "Ton" -> Exceed 100 mph. 2. "Cafe racers": They started their races at road cafes.Rock music and competitive motorcycle races. Light and fast motorcycles. Twin-cyclinder and 4-stroke. Opposition with Mods, that used 2-stroke scooters. They created the "Triton", a bike that had:1. Triumph engine 2. Norton frame 3. BSA components

Social and political ideas

Social and political ideas

- 1950's --> motorcycles = vehicule for the poor- sport --> lifestyle "rebelling at the points where their will cross society's" - against some norms (speed control, mainstream society) - press created a "moral panic" (plague) --> "folk devils" - mods and rockers= troublemacers - hopelessly naive - loutish - scruffy - motorized cowboys - loners or outsiders - opposed to recreational drug use

Music and taste

Music and taste

- Popular 50's music (including Elvis Presley)- Rockabilly music (combination of country and western music and rhythm and blues) - American influence (Fats Domino, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins)

- 1950s = original Ton Up Boys- 1960s = Rockabilly music/fashion subculture devotion to Rock 'n Roll music - Some say --> perfect match of American rebel music and an English hooligan biker image.

Taste in music

Gene vincent

Eddie Cochran

Chuck Berry

Be Bop A Lula

Summertime blues

Run Rudolf run

Decline, legacy and resurgence

Decline, legacy and resurgence

- Risk of competitive races -> Negative image -> Disappearance during the 70' - Resurgence in the XXI century - British motorcycle brands base their image in this subculture:1. Triumph, the most iconic brand- Even brands with no relation with Rockers are releasing "Neo Sports Cafe" bikes.

Honda CB650R "Neo Sports Café"

Triumph Speed Twin 1200 "Modern Classic"

2024

2024

THANK YOU!