Hi folks.
I have wondered about this for a long time.
Why is/was Rock music so closely associated with German military insignia of WWII?
It's not as common these days, but once, along with a Harley and leather jacket, an Iron Cross and Steel Helmet were considered essential kit for the serious rocker.
Examples include....
The SS runes used in the band name Kiss.
The said Iron Crosses, and skull and crossbones badges were ten a penny.
Eddie's Steel Helmet in Rocky Horror.(Also worn by at least one member of every biker gang in any movie that has bikers, many of these featured insignia).
In the movie, Any Way Witch Way But Loose, the leader of the biker gang wears the cap of a German Naval Leuitenant.
In the book about Meat & Jim written by Sandy Roberton, there are period photos of the Allgermeine SS (which I personally thought had no place
).There is also a picture of Meat (in the same book) standing next to a guy wearing an army patern breast eagle.
As Rock music is by nature very rebelious, I have always found it strange that rockers should adopt the insignia of a regime that was very conformitive, and conducted by officials in such precise uniform.
The thought of a scruffy long haired biker compared to a very stiffly dressed officer in such formal uniform is obscure to say the least
Does anyone have any idea why these insignias were adopted by rockers, or have any opinions to what extent they were used?
(As already stated, please keep this conversation to the wearing of this insignia, not opinions of the regime that created them).