When I was in college, a friend lent me a copy of Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson; once I started reading the book I couldn’t put it down. Maybe it was Hunter S. Thompson’s inimitable writing style, maybe it was the vicarious thrill I got reading about all the debauchery and violence, but something compelled to read that book again and again. Many years later, Sonny Barger - former president of the Oakland Hell’s Angels and godfather to outlaw bikers - published his autobiography. (Titled, of course, Hell’s Angel) The same morbid curiosity that made Thompson’s book so fascinating to me compelled me to buy a copy. I guess the book sold pretty well; the movie rights have been sold and a screenplay is being developed. As John Kerry might have said, “Who among us doesn’t have a twisted fascination with outlaw bikers?”
The crime novelist James Elroy never minced words when discussing Hollywood producers who option his books. “It will never get made, and if it does you’re gonna f*** it up!” The same can probably be said of Barger’s biography: if the movie is actually made we’ll likely be treated to a made-for-cable travesty starring a bunch of former Dawson’s Creek cast members and crammed with product placements by everyone from Harley Davidson to The Gap. But, hey, we can still dream, right? Barger’s website actually has a message asking people to please stop e-mailing him suggestions for who should play him in the movie. I don’t have any strong opinions about who should play Sonny, Terry the Tramp or Mouldy Marvin. However, I’ve got a few ideas about what kind of music ought to be in the soundtrack of a Hell’s Angels movie.
Before I start talking about music, let me lay down a few ground rules. Rule Number One: no song which has been flogged to death by “classic rock” radio is allowed. No Skynyrd, no ZZ Top. No “White Rabbit” when the Angels are turned on to LSD by Kesey and the Pranksters. And, for the love of God, nothing by George Thorogood! Rule Number Two: nothing from the Easy Rider soundtrack. I know that film featured some outstanding music, but why re-invent the wheel? And finally, Rule Number Three: this list is strictly a reflection of my personal musical tastes. I’m a huge fan of blues, funk and vintage soul. I don’t know if that’s the kind of music outlaw bikers listen to in real life, but that’s the kind of music my imaginary movie soundtrack will feature.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
very imaginative and evocative list - a soundscape of the imagination as you say, thanks Jon