The Leather Jacker in Rock and Roll

The leather jacket has been present in rock and roll throughout history. It has been used by some of the most iconic and famoust artists.

The jacket was originated in the 1928 Schott Brothers' Perfecto motorcycle jacket, adapted from aviation clothing. From this point the jacket has been part of rock and roll history. Many factors have contributed to the extensive use of the leather jacket, but in my opinion, the key factor of its success is the direct association with a rebel attitude.

The most notable association was in the film The Wild One, where a young Marlon Brando wore the jacket as the leader of the Black Rebels Motorcycle Club. The film was strongly critiqued as dangerous for society, to the point where it was banned from the UK. After the film, the leather jacket sales rised and were soon adopted by the rock and roll community



Through the years famous artist have used the leather jacket. It has been used by Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Michael Jackson. The jacket became part of some artists, it is hard to imagine The Ramones with out the leather jackets.

In many ways, the leather jacket shaped the rock and roll's history. In this days, the jacket is not directly associated with the same ideal as before but it is still one of the clothing items every rocker owns.

The Strokes

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Alice Cooper

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Joey Ramone

Kyle Cassidy