Ralph Hubert "Sonny" Barger (born October 8, 1938) is a founding member (1957) of the Oakland, California, U.S. chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. He is also the author of five books - Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club (2000), Dead in 5 Heartbeats (2004), Freedom: Credos from the Road (2005), 6 Chambers, 1 Bullet (2006), and Let's Ride: Sonny Barger's Guide to Motorcycling (2010) - and editor of the book Ridin' High, Livin' Free: Hell-Raising Motorcycle Stories (2003). Onscreen, Barger was identified but didn't speak in Hells Angels on Wheels (1967) and was one of several members of the Angels who had speaking parts playing themselves in Hell's Angels '69 (1969). He has appeared in several additional films and in the Sons of Anarchy television show.
Don't take shit from your enemies that you'd never take from your friends.
2
If you treat me right, I'll treat you better. If you treat me wrong, I'll treat you worse.
3
If I ever get too old to ride my motorcycle and have pretty girls, I'd rather just rob a bank and go back to prison.
4
(Referring to Keith Richards during the Altamont Concert in December 1969.) "I stood next to him and stuck my Pistol into his side and told him to start playing his Guitar or he was dead."
5
The urge to jump on a motorcycle - to journey as a rebel and be free of boundaries and limits...
6
While most of us merely dream of it, I pursued that lifestyle - choosing freedom over restraint, facing danger without fear, in the fellowship of the most famous Motorcycle club in history - I'm legendary leader who symbolizes the spirit of liberty.
7
I never thought freedom was cheap.
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Fact
1
Barger and the Hells Angels made international headlines when a small group disrupted hundreds of anti-war protesters in Berkeley, California in 1965.
2
In April 1957 he was riding to Gardena, CA. and his motorcycle broke down on the highway. A Hells Angel stopped to help him. After that encounter he started the Oakland chapter.
3
In November 1965 Barger sent a letter to president Lyndon Johnson at the White House in support of the war in Vietnam: "I volunteer a group of loyal Americans for behind-the-line duty in Vietnam. We are available for training and duty immediately." Barger received a letter in response from an officer stating if they wanted to fight they would have to enlist in the army.
4
Barger and the Hells Angels supported the war in Vietnam.
5
In 1988 Barger was sentenced for conspiring to blow up the clubhouse of a rival motorcycle club, the Outlaws in Louisville, Kentucky. He spent four years in federal prison in Arizona.
6
He moved from Oakland to Cave Creek, AZ. in 1998.
7
He has 2 dogs - Hannah and Freedom.
8
In 1957 he started the Oakland Chapter of the Hells Angeles.
9
Since he is a convicted criminal, he has lost his right to vote and own a gun.
10
His father was an alcoholic.
11
Hates Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.
12
He always carries a marker/pen with him to sign autographs.
13
His mother abandoned the family when he was a very young.
14
Dropped out of School at age 16 to join the United States Army.
15
In 1982 he was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx; the doctors gave him two weeks to live.
16
Has only owned between 10-12 bikes in his life.
17
In 1958 he became president of the Oakland chapter of the Hells Angels.
18
Is a member of the Cave Creek Chapter of the Hells Angels in Phoenix, Arizona.
19
Is one of the most famous outlaw Bikers in the world.
20
Involved in the infamous 1969 Rolling Stones free Concert of Altamont in the San Francisco bay area, which resulted the death of a young man who brought a Gun to the Concert which erupted into in a fight with the Hell's Angels. Later, the Hell's Angels were acquitted on all charges. (December 6, 1969)
21
In 1982 he was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx and his vocal cords were removed. On the way to the operating room he smoked one last cigarette. After the operation he had to learn how to talk again.
22
Served in the United States Army (1955).
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dead in 5 Heartbeats
2013
Traders Bar Patron
Sons of Anarchy
2010-2012
TV Series
Lenny 'The Pimp' Janowitz
Hell's Angels '69
1969
Sonny
Hells Angels on Wheels
1967
President of the Hells Angels
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Angels from Hell
1968
story consultant
Hells Angels on Wheels
1967
technical advisor
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dead in 5 Heartbeats
2013
producer
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
I Ride
2013
Documentary
Off the Boulevard
2011
Documentary
Himself
Tracks
2008
TV Series documentary
Himself
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
2008
Documentary
Himself
Harley Davidson: The Spirit of America
2005
Video documentary
Himself
Tout le monde en parle
2004
TV Series
Himself
Hells Angels Forever
1983
Documentary
Himself - Hells Angels President
Gimme Shelter
1970
Documentary
Himself
Sonny Barger Confronts VDC
1965
Documentary short
Himself
Known for movies
Gimme Shelter (1970) as Himself
Hell's Angels '69 (1969) as Sonny
Hells Angels on Wheels (1967) as President of the Hells Angels
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (2008) as Himself
$500,000
