HISTORY OF THE HELLS ANGELS
THE 40S
In July of 1947, the 1%er movement was born out of the infamous Hollister riot, where the American Motorcyclist Association declared that 99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens, implying that the remaining 1% were outlaws… it didn’t take too long for clubs to wear that label as a badge of honor… On March 17th 1948, the first Hells Angels Motorcycle Club was founded in the Fontana/San Bernardino area in the United States of America.
Many other clubs were established around this time in a number of places in California, however none of these clubs linked to the Hells Angels nor were associated with one another. Most of them do not exist today, but the Berdoo Charter (San Bernadino) still thrives.
THE 50's & 60's
Many more Hells Angels charters formed during the 50s; each being a separate club with no links between eachother. Years later, each Hells Angels club united and a regular criteria of admission was laid down. In 1961, the club developed internationally, meaning it was no longer just a California phenomenon. The first charter – away from California – was set up in Auckland, New Zealand.
Following this, Hells Angels spread out to the East Coast of the USA and later to the Midwest. On 30th July 1969, the first European Hells Angels charter was welcomed in London, England. Today, there are more than 275 charters in Europe alone.
Our Vespucci charter of the Hells Angels started its life as Straight Satans, founded in 1959 by Father Bill, Little Jerry and Glick. At the club’s height, it had three charters: one in Vespucci, one in Del Perro and another in SCV. Many members would patch over to the Hells Angels over the years but the Straight Satans would remain a constant in Vespucci until 2025.
THE 70's & 80's
THE 90's TO THE PRESENT
In 1993, Hells Angels came to the African Continent with a charter in Johannesburg, South Africa. In the new millennium, Eastern Europe got its own Hells Angels charter and since then many more countries have been granted the now famous winged Death Head.
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has spread it’s wings all over the world; From Alaska to Norway in the high North, to South Africa and Argentina in the southern hemisphere. All around the globe from the Caribbean Islands to Turkey; who became the first Muslim Country to join the club in 2009. Today, the Hells Angels MC World has charters in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia.
- 202X marks the official founding of the Vespucci charter of the Hells Angels M.C. when the last remaining charter of the Straight Satans patched over.
- In 2026 an offshoot contingent of former Vespucci Hells Angels established a secondary charter in the heart of downtown Los Santos.
