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 by Schott 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, of Portland, 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 subcultures. It has been associated with groups such as rockers, punk rockers, bikers and metalheads. 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 include Marlon Brando's Johnny Strabler character in "The Wild One" (1953), Michael Pare in "Eddie and the Cruisers" (1983), as well as the actor James Dean (although he never actually wore one in any of his films). Later examples include Henry Winkler's character Fonzie in the 1970s American television 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 the Smithsonian 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, the punk rock band the Ramones, punk rocker Sid Vicious as well as part of the Punk fashion, In the Mad Max Trilogy, Max and police officers sported jackets with armour, in the 1990s, Tre Cool sometimes sported a leather jacket, the T-800 cyborg character of The Terminator movies; the character Roger Davis, played by Adam Pascal in the 2005 movie Rent; and former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Wrestler Bret Hart. In the 1980s, rocker Joan Jett commonly wore leather jackets.

See also

* Leather jacket (casual jacket without belt-buckle and nickel rivets)
* Motorcycle safety clothing
* Rocker (subculture)

Notes