The Sub-culture

Greasers were a youth subculture that originated in the 1950s among teenagers in northeastern and southern United States. The music genre Rock n Roll, was also a major part of the culture and styles were influenced by singers like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bill Haley, and Richie Valens. The style and subculture then became popular among other types of people, as an expression of rebellion.

1950s Rebellion, the Greasers and Teddy Boys

The Greasers were a youth culture that was considered to be a

gang. This style and subculture would become popular among other

types of people, as an expression of rebellion. The name greaser

came from their greased-back hairstyle, which involved combing

back hair with wax, gel, creams, tonics or pomade.

Although the greaser subculture was largely an American youth phenomenon, there were similar subcultures in the United Kingdom. Unlike British rockers, American greasers were known more for

their love of hot rod cars and 1950s rockabilly music. 1950s British rebels were known as Teddy boys and girls. Some Teds formed gangs and gained notoriety following violent clashes with rival gangs

which were often exaggerated by the popular press. The most notable example was the 1958 Notting Hill race riots, in which Teddy Boys were present in large numbers. The violent lifestyle was

sensationalised in the pulp novel ‘Teddy Boy‘ by Ernest Ryman, first published in England in 1958.Greasers are usually portrayed as urban working class, often Italian American or Hispanic American. Notable exceptions to the urban ethnic portrayal include films such as ‘The Wild One’  (1953), ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ (1955) and ‘The Outsiders’ (1983), which portrayed a more rural, southern United

States variant of the greaser subculture.

FashionClothing usually worn by greasers

included;• fitted, colored T-shirts (often with the

sleeves rolled up)• Ringer T-shirts• Italian knit shirts• Baseball shirts; bowling shirts;• Levi denim jackets; leather jackets;

black or blue Levi's jeans (with rolled-up cuffs anywhere from one to four inches)

• Baggy cotton twill work trousers.

Common greaser footwear included;• Motorcycle boots, such as harness

boots or engineer boots; • Army boots; winklepickers; brothel

creepers• Cowboy boots and Converse Chuck

Taylor All-Stars. Common accessories included bandannas; stingy-brim hats; flat caps and chain wallets.

Music & Motors

The music genre Rock n Roll, was also a major part of the culture and styles were influenced by singers like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bill Haley, and Richie Valens. The style and subculture then became popular among other types of people, as an expression of rebellion.

Motors• American greasers were known more for their love of hot rod• cars, not necessarily motorcycles, although both subcultures are known to be fans of

classic motorcycles, as well as being fans • of 1950s rockabilly music.

1950's Greasers Hot Rods & Cars - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgJplarTd_o

General characteristics of

a Greaser

Greased-back hairstyle, which involved combing back hair

Music influence – Rock n’ Roll (Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry etc.)

Hot rod cars and ordinary or customized vans

Leather, Jersey, Denim jackets, Roll up jeans and sleeves

Footwear – Mainly black boots Usually carry a

hair comb around

General weapons on them such as knives

Accessories such as gloves and bandannas