- Rocker jacket
A rocker jacket is a leather motorcycle jacket first popularized by the greasers and
rockers of the late 1950s and early 1960s. It is believed that the style was introduced bySchott NYC in the late 1920s [ [http://www.answers.com/topic/schott-nyc Schott NYC History - Answers.com] ] . The "classic" style with steel belt-buckle and nickel rivets was invented in 1947 by Ross Langlitz, ofPortland, Oregon . [ [http://www.langlitz.com/history.shtml Langlitz Leathers: history] ]Rocker jackets can be styled in variety ways, and different versions have been associated with different
subculture s. It has been associated with groups such as rockers, punk rockers, bikers andmetalhead s. The jackets have been used for protective purposes, fashion, and often for their intimidating and rebellious appearance.There is a substantial difference between rocker jackets made for fashionable purposes and for protective purposes (for activities like
motorcycle riding). Rocker jackets designed for protective use are heavier, thicker, and sometimes equipped with armor. A rocker jacket primarily designed for fashion purposes is not likely to be of much use in a motorcycle accident.In popular culture
In the 1950s, the rocker jacket achieved iconic status in major part through
fictional film . Examples includeMarlon Brando 's Johnny Strabler character in "The Wild One " (1953),Michael Pare in "Eddie and the Cruisers " (1983), as well as the actorJames Dean (although he never actually wore one in any of his films). Later examples includeHenry Winkler 's characterFonzie in the 1970s Americantelevision series "Happy Days ", which depicted life in the 1950s and early-mid 1960s, and the "T-Birds" characters in the "Grease" film duo. The Fonz's rocker jacket is housed in theSmithsonian Institution . Danny Zuko and the rest of the T-Birds from the 1978 movie "Grease" would have their gang name painted on the back of their rocker jackets.Other examples of the rocker jacket in popular culture include the
Black Panthers in the 1960s and 1970s, thepunk rock band theRamones ,punk rocker Sid Vicious as well as part of thePunk fashion , In theMad Max Trilogy, Max and police officers sported jackets with armour, in the 1990s,Tre Cool sometimes sported a leather jacket, theT-800 cyborg character ofThe Terminator movies; the character Roger Davis, played byAdam Pascal in the 2005 movie Rent; and formerWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) WrestlerBret Hart . In the 1980s, rockerJoan Jett commonly wore leather jackets.See also
*
Leather jacket (casual jacket without belt-buckle and nickel rivets)
*Motorcycle safety clothing
*Rocker (subculture) Notes
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