Hells Angels founding member Sonny Barger dies aged 83 after brief battle with cancer

Hells Angels is a worldwide club for motorcyclists that was founded in California in 1948. It has an infamous reputation and has been accused of criminal activity by a number of law enforcement officials.

Thursday 30 June 2022 14:46, UK

Legendary Hell's Angel Sonny Barger wants the world to get one thing straight: his notorious motorcycle club is no criminal gang. Barger, 61, has spent the last 40 years as a member of the most infamous motorcycle club in the world and was its defacto leader during the 1960s and 1970s. Now in his autobiography "Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club", Barger gives an insider's view of a group he says is sadly misunderstood.
Why you can trust Sky News

Founding member of Hells Angels, Sonny Barger, has died at the age of 83 following a brief battle with cancer.

The biker, author and California outlaw died surrounded by his wife, Zorana, and his "loved ones".

In a Facebook post, published after his death, Barger wrote: "If you are reading this message, you'll know that I'm gone. I've asked that this note be posted immediately after my passing."

Born Ralph Hubert Barger, he wrote in his autobiography that the Hells Angels were a small club in San Francisco before he joined.

The Sons of Anarchy actor went on to create the Oakland Hells Angels in California - now the club's most significant charter - and is often acknowledged for building it into a worldwide group.

"I've lived a long and good life filled with adventure. And I've had the privilege to be part of an amazing club," his Facebook post continued.

"Although I've had a public persona for decades, I've mostly enjoyed special time with my club brothers, my family, and close friends."

More from Ents & Arts

He ended the note by saying: "Keep your head up high, stay loyal, remain free, and always value honour."

Inside the UK biker feud between the Hells Angels and Outlaws

Ralph "Sonny" Barger (Centre), president of the Oakland chapter of the Hell's Angels, reads a statement during a news conference in Oakland, Ca., Nov. 19, 1965 PIC:AP
Image: Ralph 'Sonny' Barger (Centre), pictured in 1965. Pic: AP
Ralph "Sonny" Barger, left, the founder and president of the Oakland, Calif., Hells Angels chapter, is led to a waiting van by a U.S. marshal after being arraigned on an explosives charge at the Federal Building in San Francisco, Nov. 10, 1987. Hells Angels in five states were arrested on drugs and weapons charges. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma) PICS:AP
Image: Mr Barger after being arraigned on an explosives charge in 1987. Pic: AP

From prison to an anti-smoking campaigner

Hells Angels has been accused of being a criminal organisation by a number of authorities but Mr Barger has defended the group on numerous occasions, including during one of its biggest controversies when a fan at the Altamont Free Concert in 1969 was fatally stabbed by a member.

He has also been in trouble with the law. In 1972, he and three others were acquitted of murdering a Texas drug dealer and setting a home on fire.

He was later imprisoned for possession of narcotics and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Hells Angeles chieftain Ralph "Sonny" Barger and his wife Sharon are shown after his release $100,000 bond in San Francisco Friday, Aug. 1, 1980. He has spent more than a year in jail on Federal racketeering conspiracy charges. (AP Photo/Robert Houston) PIC:AP
Image: Mr Barger and his former wife Sharon in 1980. Pic: AP

In the early 1980s, Barger was diagnosed with throat cancer and had his vocal chords removed.

Following his diagnosis, he started publicly advocating against smoking using the message: "Want to be a rebel? Don't smoke as the rest of the world."

He went on to write six books, his autobiography Hell's Angel, Ridin' High Livin' Free, Dead In 5 Heartbeats, 6 Chambers 1 Bullet, Freedom and his guide to motorcycling Let's Ride.