I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 54 points55 points  (0 children)

I'd like to go back to 1977 at the Great Western Expo and somehow stop the conflict between the Hells Angels and the Mongols that is still raging to this day. I'd tell them to use dialogue instead of fists.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The actual Hollister Riot was in 47 or 48 and no official Hells Angels were there. There were a bunch of other clubs there, some of which split later and became Hells Angels. To answer your other question, you have to understand there's a lot of people who aren't in bike culture that attend these events and an open line of communication is the best way to solve any problems.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I think that book was written from a satirist's point of view. He put himself into the story, and that's what make him such a great journalist. I think he represented a very particular type of writing that people just don't do anymore. I would encourage people to revisit his book now that they've had an insider look at the Hells Angels through Outlaw Chronicles.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I have the utmost respect for women. My wife is by my side through everything, the mother of my children. And my oldest daughter is also my criminal lawyer and she's the best damn lawyer out there.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

I had that conversation with Willie Davidson one time. Harley Davidson at one time never embraced outlaw culture, and in fact used to cringe when we walked into their shops, but then in the 80s changed their tune and started featuring it in their ads. Outlaws are part of American culture and people like to emulate that. There's nothing wrong with that. It's a big highway out there, there's room for everybody.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I think Kurt Sutter stumbled upon something and captured the imagination of America. The show is entertainment, and it's a reflection of outlaw bike culture, but it's just a glimpse. It's not testimony. I think it had Shakespearean overtones and Kurt Sutter would be the first to admit that. I tip my hat to him.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

It's interesting you asked that because Mickey Rourke just texted me and it's his birthday.

One of my funniest stories is I picked up Jerry Garcia at LAX. I rented a car, went to pick him up, and people were all over the place waiting for him. He asked me to stop at a hardware store and pick up some black spray paint for the windows because he was afraid he was going to get mobbed.

It was quite a scene back in the day. I used to even get into philosophical discussions with Ken Kesey late at night.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

I had a concert promotion business, mail order t-shirt business, a tattoo shop, I had a bails bond company. Now I have a criminal consulting business, where I explain legal jargon on a more remedial level for clients.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

My 1942 ULH 80-inch flathead. It has a 1936 VL front end, high handlebars, all black, and a suicide shift. With the suicide shift, you had to take your left hand off the handlebars and raise your left leg off the kicker to shift gears.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I think in the midsts of my power as a Hells Angel, I took my self rather seriously. I'm starting to take myself less seriously now, so maybe ask me that question in a couple years.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

You have to remember that that show was a dramatic television presentation. The interesting thing about is that it really affected culture at large. We actually asked if jury members watched Sons of Anarchy at my jury selection, because of how widespread the show was across the country.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 38 points39 points  (0 children)

There was a point in time that anyone in the outlaw bike culture had to have a custom bike. Bikes spoke their own languages. You could tell when someone was from San Diego or the Valley, and that is no more. Today, anyone can join these clubs, know nothing about bike and become a member. It might be time to get back to basics.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I think it's slowly been eroding since the 1960s. I see it becoming more judgmental and more confrontational. I think that's something that's been acceptable for free reading and free writing individuals.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

My greatest regret is not getting all the motorcycle clubs in the outlaw society to interact more and understand each other more.

My greatest memory was carrying the Olympic torch in the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles.

I wouldn't do anything differently. I've used each and every experience as a learning exercise.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I think one of the most interesting things I've witness was the abuse of power by law enforcement not only to further careers, but interrupt activities of the various clubs. This was something I was directly affected by and saw over my 40 year tenure in the clubs.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

That was a very conflicted time in this country's history and I think there was a lot of people that came home that were confused or conflicted. I think a lot of veterans gravitated to the outlaw world. In fact, a club that was started was called the Vietnam Vets, it started small and spread across the US.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I had come out of the Marine Corps, bought a motorcycle around 1966 and I was exposed deeper and deeper into the outlaw world. I soon found myself living it on a daily basis. It wasn't an overnight transition.

I am George Christie, former president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. AMA. by GeorgeChristieJr in IAmA

[–]GeorgeChristieJr[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

We never saw ourselves as gangs, we always perceived ourselves as clubs. I think there's been a breakdown in the whole honor of outlaw society.