Rockers, often defined in opposition to their famous antitheses, the Mods, were English youths driven by 1950s-era rock and roll. The Rocker movement arose from a modernisation of the Teds, or Teddy Boys of the 1950s. These youths favoured American rock and roll music courtesy of artists like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and early Elvis Presley. Dress style was dominated by leather jackets, Levi's jeans, biker boots and the ubiquitous James Dean quiff. Motorbikes were also integral to the scene, with British brands Triumph and Norton being favourites. The Rocker's look was later adopted by The Clash, Vennaskond , and is today an influence on the Rockabilly Revival and Physchobilly scenes.
Today, revivals exist of several of these music/fashion sub-cultures, with the modern day Rocker style having followings all over the world. Emphasis of the Rocker fashion is rooted in the look that began in the 1950s thru the 1960s, with the turned-up Levi Jeans and leather motorcycle jacket. This fashion has minute details that are followed and usually only noticed by other Rockers. Example of this would be the Esso Man key chain and the Club 59 patches adorning the motorcycle jacket . Also making a show is the white tube socks that are folded over the top of the motorcycle boots, usually worn with leather pants. The Rocker of the 21st century has evolved from its humble working class British beginnings more than 50 years ago and so has the fashion, Winkle Picker shoes are no longer used and in its place the famed Dr Martens boots usually in an 8-hole. Also Creeper shoes have worked themselves back into play, originally worn by the Teds of the 1950s. To complete the look, no Rocker would ever be seen on any motorcycle other than a classic "cafe-racer" styled British Triumph or Norton, usually from the 1970s, as this was the heyday of the British motorcycle industy.
Always unique looking as a stand alone and tough looking among a crowd of fellow rockers, this is a sub-culture that persists to this day, not to be confused with similar looking Rockabillys, Psychobillys, Punks or Greasers, it's all about the bike for a true Rocker. And a true Rocker will always be seen wearing a classic style "pudding-basin" helmet made by Davida . As for music, even though modern-day Rockers respect and enjoy old-time Rockabilly like Eddie Cochran and Elvis Presley, as well as the revival Rockabilly sound popularized by the Stray Cats, the Rocker of today also has a great fondness for Psycobilly bands like the Meteors, the Cramps, the Reverend Horton Heat and the Spectres.
