Who was Sonny Barger and what was his cause of death?
HELLS Angels was an infamous biker group known as an outlaw motorcycle club across the United States and the globe.
Sonny Barger, a founding member, passed away surrounded by family on June 29, 2022.
Who was Sonny Barger?
Ralph Hubert "Sonny" Barger was born in Modesto, California on October 8, 1938.
He was an author and appeared on TV and in film, on top of being a founder of the Oakland charter motorcycle group, Hells Angels.
Sonny worked as a machine operator in the late 60s but was dismissed due to absences and so he began advising on various film projects.
In 1963 he was arrested on his first charge - possession of marijuana.
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The following year, he was arrested again and crimes started to escalate within the Hells Angels - the group is considered a crime syndicate by many authorities.
Three years later, after an acquitted murder charge, the Hells Angel leader was sentenced to prison for possession of a weapon and of narcotics for sale.
He was released on parole four and a half years later but would be brought back to stand trial for various charges over the course of his life.
Sonny is featured prominently in many books about the Hells Angels, including his autobiography which was a best-seller, and other biker-related novels.
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He also starred in Sons Of Anarchy as Lenny Janowitz and spent time advising on the show, which was allegedly based on the Hells Angels.
Throughout his life he was married four times, tying the knot with his wife, Zorana in 2005 who was with him when he died at age 83.
What was Sonny Barger's cause of death?
Since the early 1980s, Sonny suffered from cancer, which his Facebook post identified as his cause of death.
In 1983, he had a total laryngectomy, removing his vocal cords due to stage three laryngeal cancer - he later learned to vocalize using his esophagus.
Years later, in 2012, the Hells Angel underwent another surgery to remove his prostate and was declared cancer free.
On June 30, 2022, it was announced Barger has passed away "peacefully" after a "brief battle with cancer."
His final Facebook post reads: "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.
"I've lived a long and good life filled with adventure. And I've had the privilege to be part of an amazing club.
"Although I've had a public persona for decades, I've mostly enjoyed special time with my club brothers, my family and close friends.
"Please know that I passed peacefully after a brief battle with cancer."
He said he was surrounded by "what really matters" in the end - his wife, Zorana, and loved ones.
His message concluded: "Keep your head up high, stay loyal, remain free, and always value honor."
Barger's funeral is being held on September 24 from 2 to 8pm in Stockton, California at the 99 Speedway on North Wilson Way.
According to Fox News, San Joaquin County Sheriff, Pat Withrow, warned the public at a press conference on Friday that the funeral could get violent.
"I am bringing in substantial resources to protect the safety of the general public from the violence and danger that may result from this event," Withrow said.
When did Sonny Barger found Hell's Angels?
By the late 1950s, Sonny had already joined a motorcycle club named the Oakland Panthers, which then disbanded.
He began riding with a group of bikers, one of whom wore a patch from a defunct club in North Sacramento and went on to form the Oakland charter of Hells Angels Motorcycling Club (HAMC) in 1957.
Hells Angels were founded in Fontana, California, back in 1948 - with more charters being added during the fifties.
Charters across California were merged and used variations of the "death's head" insignia before standardizing under the patch nicknamed the "Barger Larger".
Throughout his time with HAMC, Sonny served as president of the Oakland charter and was the public face of the group.
There is no overall president of the group but the Oakland faction is often seen as the headquarters and mother charter due to Sonny's efforts.
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Hells Angels became a global phenomenon in the sixties with the first charter based outside California opening in New Zealand in 1961.
It then began to spread across the US and worldwide, with the first European charter opening in London, England, in 1969.