The history of Leather pants in rock'n'roll

[Predabot]

I recall reading in the swedish student-magazine Chili that the history of Black Leather clothing in Metall and the like music, began with the lead singer in Iron Maiden getting the idea from local british gay-bars where leather had been a big thing for some time.

Can anybody give me some confirmation on this? The reason is because one of my buddies that are very much into Heavy Metall and hard rock and the like, just won't believe me when I said it, and now he demands evidence.

So, can anyone here help me out?

[wideload]

I dont know where iron maiden, who came around in the late 70s, specifically got their influence, but people in rock had been wearing them for much longer.

here's a picture from jim morrison's tour in 1968
http://www.lisciandro.com/groups/HBW08.htm

elvis had em too.

My guess is it came from the rockabilly music that later evolved into modern rock n roll. The rockabilly came from the country music, who probably got the idea from the cowboys who used to wear them. Just a guess though.

Modern heavy metal probably gets it more from the influence of bikers. Bikers like to party so do heavy metal bands. Plus looking like a biker makes you look tough and thats a good image for heavy metal bands. Hence the tatoos long hair etc...

[Ultimate Weapon]

I dont know where iron maiden, who came around in the late 70s, specifically got their influence, but people in rock had been wearing them for much longer.

here's a picture from jim morrison's tour in 1968
http://www.lisciandro.com/groups/HBW08.htm

elvis had em too.

My guess is it came from the rockabilly music that later evolved into modern rock n roll. The rockabilly came from the country music, who probably got the idea from the cowboys who used to wear them. Just a guess though.

Modern heavy metal probably gets it more from the influence of bikers. Bikers like to party so do heavy metal bands. Plus looking like a biker makes you look tough and thats a good image for heavy metal bands. Hence the tatoos long hair etc...

Yup I would say leather in music comes from bands like The Doors, Love, Hendrix. Elvis as well in his comeback TV special from 1968 had a full leather outift. Though the history of leather in the 20th century starts off mainly with aviator pilots and military gear.

During the 1950's biker's adopted the leather jackets as safety gear as seen by Marlon Brando in the "Wild Ones" movie, 1957. The emergence of motorcycle gangs from the 40's and 50's really got the spotlight in the 60's with the Hell's Angels gang from California. The novel of the same name written by Hunter Thompson, suggests that Hell's Angels didn't wear leather, and only sported dirty denim jackets and jeans. Though there wear some exceptions to the rule.

[Predabot]

Lotsa interesting info here. But does anyone know if Iron Maiden or any other UK "tuff" rockers {coff*Black Sabbath*coff} got their stile from the local gay-clubs?

[spiderfrommars]

Why would they?

Sounds like you're barking up the wrong tree boyo.

[Obfleur]

I think that Judas Priest (Rob Halford) was one of the first artists to use all leather clothing.
I'm not sure though.

And Freddie Mercury used lots of leather clothes.
In the "Crazy little thing called love" video from 1979, Freddie is using leather clothes.

Iron Maiden released their first album in 1980 (I'm not 100% sure of this) - which means that the leather-thingy already was used by other artists -> They didn't pick it up from the gay culture.

[Optimus Prime Rib]

I think that Judas Priest (Rob Halford) was one of the first artists to use all leather clothing.
I'm not sure though.

And Freddie Mercury used lots of leather clothes.
In the "Crazy little thing called love" video from 1979, Freddie is using leather clothes.

Iron Maiden released their first album in 1980 (I'm not 100% sure of this) - which means that the leather-thingy already was used by other artists -> They didn't pick it up from the gay culture.

Did you NOT just say Freddie Mercury and Rob Halford?

[Obfleur]

Did you NOT just say Freddie Mercury and Rob Halford?

From what I know, neither Freddie or Rob were openly gay back then.
If it was a gay thing to wear lots of leather.. well, then that would've blown their cover, right?

[Optimus Prime Rib]

openly, no, but gay none the less.. so therefore Leather was inspired by gay rockers just noone knew it

I wonder if they HAD known would the 80's hair metal image been the same?

[Ozz]

I've seen quite a few Maiden's videos, pics or concerts and never saw them being dressed in a biker-style. Though I admit I haven't seen any videos or pics from the beginning of their career, when DiAnno was on vocals, but I highly doubt they wore leather.

Guys from Black Sabbath usually dressed similar to hippies back then. Never saw them in leather.

Leather and biker-style mostly make me think of Rob Halford, whom Ob mentioned. He also used to drive Harley during concerts (and I'm positive he still does). Though where did the idea come from, that I don't know.

That's just random info from me, a guy who listens to the music played by musicians, and whom the way those musicians dress does not concern.

[wideload]

in a crazy little thing called love, murcury was supposed to look like a biker/tough guy from the 50s. He even brings an old bike onto the set.

as for the gay bars, im not an expert on this, but i think that they call that being "butch". Which basically means you dress as manly as possible. My guess would be the biker styles at the gay bars became popular after they were accepted as stereotypes of tough guys.

[Obfleur]

openly, no, but gay none the less.. so therefore Leather was inspired by gay rockers just noone knew it

So Rob and Freddie were the first rockers ever, to use leather?

[Optimus Prime Rib]

dunno.. but it would make for an amusing trivia question