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From the desk of Contributing Editor, Eli M. Getson–

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Circa 1946 — (original caption) Hollywood Stars Ski at Sun Valley.  Active sports are the best things in the world to relax one after a session before the Kleig lights, and these Hollywood stars chose skiing as their sport. Shown on a crest at the famed resort at Sun Valley, Idaho are, left to right: Mrs. Gary Cooper, Jack Hemingway, Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper and Clark Gable. Used by the Navy during the war, the resort will be opened to the public in the fall of 1946. — Image by © Bettmann

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With the snowfall upon us (and where I live, it will be falling until late April) it gives me a chance to induldge in my obsession with old school style on the slopes.  I want to be clear that I will not include snowboarding in this post– different sport, different style altogether.  I also want to be clear that this obession of mine is very rooted in the years 1967-1977, when I feel ski style was at its height.  I’ll get many an argument from all the Polo alumni that read TSY that the Sun Valley/Gary Cooper 1930s & ’40s look (above) is the ultimate; and while the snowflake sweaters, melton wool jackets, gentsy trousers (with zippered pockets to keep out the snow), and waffle stompers of that era certainly do have their appeal– I am more fixated with vintage Fila, Bogner, Descente, Addidas (very rare), Rossingnol, and Head.  Courreges did some skiwear in the 1960s for women that is highly prized by vintage heads the world over.  I have combed many a vintage store in Europe looking for an old school graphic Fila or Bogner coat in all its pieced, color blocked, and technicolor splendour so I could work it like a skier on the pro tour, circa 1968.  Who wouldn’t want to rock the, “just hit the mountain in Gstaad, heading to Chamonix, and then off to Aspen to wind down the season” look.

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Circa 1968 — Aspen, Colorado: French skier, Jean Claude Killy manages a smile for his fans after placing 3rd in the Roch Cup men’s downhill event here, March 15th. Killy’s legion of fans can be seen reflected in his sunglasses. — Image by © Bettmann

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Without a doubt, my obsession was fueled by Jean Claude Killy, the King of the slopes and one of the most stylish athletes of all time.  A world champion skier without peer– In 1966–67 Killy won every downhill race he entered, earning the first World Cup for men.  Killy also won the triple crown of Alpine skiing– capturing all three golds medals (downhill, slalom, and giant slalom) at the ’68 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France .  He was blessed with movie star looks, and came on to the scene when more obscure sports like sking acually got Saturday afternoon airtime, and the Olympics still tended to be a top two sports draw on TV.  Killy had ridiculous style and even more ridiculous skill.  He was, and is, how I want to look on the slopes– slim silhouettes,  graphic colors boldly streaking by on the turn, and geared towards peak performance.   Killy is one of those athletes I will always associate with the epic ABC Wide World of Sports.  I’m not sure how Jim McKay and Howard Cosell did it, but they mythologized athletes, especially international athletes, on the level of jet-setting movie stars.  I miss those dreamy days of my youth.  I miss how the lifestyles of the athletes of old had real class, and were larger than life.  Mostly, I miss their character, and how incredible they looked in competition– and everyday life.  They inspired me then,  and still do to this day.

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August 1971 — French Skier Jean-Claude Killy in Saint-Tropez — Image by © Apis/Sygma

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Style on the Slopes | A Retrospective

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Circa 1930s– French ski fashions

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Sun Valley, Idaho ski posters– circa 1940 (left), and 1939 (right).

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3/21/1939, Sun Valley, ID: A candidate for the Harriman Cup for women is Hannah Locke of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. A member of the 1938 women’s team which competed in Europe, she will race in the downhill and slalom contest in Sun Valley this month. Miss Locke is pictured here training for the competition. — Image by © Bettmann

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1/3/1939, Sun Valley, ID: Movie star Norma Shearer enjoying a “spot” of lunch in the company of her sister, Mrs. Howard Hawks, center, wife of the movie director, and Minnie Barnes, right, also a screen luminary. The girls were pictured with ski instructors — Image by © Bettmann

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Circa 1941, Sun Valley, Idaho — Jerome Hill, grandson of railroad pioneer, J. J. Hill, waxing his skis at Sun Valley, Idaho — Image by © Condé Nast Archive

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Circa 1941, Sun Valley, Idaho — Mrs. Edward Wigglesworth Jr. (formerly Marian McKean), former Olympic Ski Team member, leaning forward on her skis on Baldy Mountain, in Sun Valley, Idaho. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive

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Vintage skiers, striking a pose.

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(Above, left) 1/13/1948, Sun Valley, ID: Jane Russell, who is spending some time at Sun Valley learning to ski, pauses with her instructor Toni Matt. — Image by © Bettmann

(Above, right) 3/23/1946, Sun Valley, ID: Clark Gable and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Cooper going up the slopes. — Image by © Bettman

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07/05/1947-Sun Valley, ID– The great winter sport has opened its summer season at Sun Valley, where you see Alf Engen, co-coach of the U.S. Olympic ski team, in process of hurdling a mountain. The ski slopes are now, in mid-summer, covered with 20 feet — Image by © Bettmann

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1950s Sun Valley, Idaho ski bums.  Neckerchiefs, snowflake sweaters, handknit caps– check.

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(Above, left) 10/5/1951, Sun Valley, ID: Before taking off for anther day’s hike on skis, Jack Redding gives his “hickories” a once-over. Sun Valley’s mountains loom in the backgound. — Image by © Bettmann

(Above, right) ca. 1941, Sun Valley, ID: Mrs. William Hale Harkness, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. E. Earle, and John de Braganca, standing on the ski slopes. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive

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1950s ski bum hitting the slopes.

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Circa 1950s– Sun Valley, Idaho ski bums in their old snow slopes beater.

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1950s ski bums concocting appendage-warming libations.

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1950s ski bums drinking it up back at the lodge.

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1950s ski bums.

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Feb 1950, Aspen, Colorado — On the other side of the movie camera for a change, screen star Gary Cooper records the FIS world ski championship races at Aspen, Colorado. On the final day of the world ski meet, the film actor was assisted by his wife and daughter, Maria. — Image by © Bettmann

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Alf Engen, co-coach of the U.S. Olympic ski team getting some serious air.

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1950s Sun Valley, Idaho ski bums.

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1950s ski bums passed out in the sun.

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1950s ski bums drinking and soaking up rays in Sun Valley, Idaho.

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Circa 1968– Great shot of Jean-Claude Killy in a classic Anorak.

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Ski bums catching some rays and some rest.

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Feb 1968, Grenoble, France — France’s Jean-Claude Killy and Guy Perillat celebrate their performances in the men’s downhill ski event at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble. Killy won the gold medal and Perillat finished second, winning the silver. — Image by © Universal/TempSport

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SUN VALLEY, IDAHO: Mother and daughter Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy and Caroline enjoy a joke as they vacation at this ski resort here recently. Mrs. Kennedy and her two children are visiting here with the family of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. 01/04/66. — Image by © Bettmann

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10 Jan 1968, Adelboden, Switzerland — Jean-Claude Killy of France in the giant slalom event at Adelboden, Switzerland, 1968. — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection

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Jan 1966, Sun Valley, Idaho, USA — John F. Kennedy Jr. holds a fuzzy samoyed puppy as his sister Caroline and his mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, move a dogsled. The family was vacationing here with the family of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. — Image by © Bettmann. (Right) Killy

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John F. Kennedy Jr. nuzzles up to a Samoyed pup from the sled dog concession here, December 30, 1965. John Jr., who is vacationing here with his mother, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy, his sister Caroline, and the family of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, gets around the ski slopes by mooching rides from other skiers by sliding on his stomach. – Image by © Bettmann

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(Left) 1966, Idaho — Jackie Kennedy with Family — Image by © John Bryson/Sygma. (Right) Jean-Claude Killy

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Jan 1966, Sun Valley, Idaho — John Kennedy, Jr., son of the late president, frolics in the snow at Bald Mountain in this Idaho resort. John, Jr. is enjoying a winter vacation with his sister Caroline, and mother Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy. — Image by © Bettmann

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(Left) Ca. 1972– Jean-Claude Killy on the set of Snow Job. (Right) Ca. 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics.

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Circa 1970s– Sex symbol Brigitte Bardot on holiday skiing.

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(Above, left) Circa 1972, Snowbird, Utah — Red ski jacket over blue ski overalls, both by Globe of New Hampshire, skis and poles by Hart Ski Company. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive

(Above, right) Circa 1972, Snowbird, Utah — Red, green and blue ski jacket with red ski pants, both by Bogner, Olympic Timer by Lafayette Watch, and a Glentex cap. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive

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Circa 1972, Snowbird, Utah — Yellow overalls with a green jacket, both by Henke for Saska Sport Industries. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive

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(Above, left) Circa 1972, Snowbird, Utah — Yellow ski jacket over red warm-up pants, both by Roffe, turtle and crewneck sweaters by Demetre and gloves by Bonnie Cashin for Crescendoe/ Superb gloves, a hat by Brosseau, yellow shoulder bag by La Bagagerie. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive

(Above, right) Circa 1972, Snowbird, Utah — Cross-country ski gear which consists of a red pullover with matching knickers from Ramah by Bass, Eiger mountain knicker socks, a Pennaco turtleneck, Mohawk ski gloves, and Acme Siren necklace by Donald Stannard. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive

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Circa 1972, Snowbird, Utah — Purple ski jacket with red and yellow details paired with red pants and matching cap, all by White Stag, and yellow mittens; he wears a White Stag striped sweater and sunglasses by Bausch and Lomb. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive

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1970s Tecnica Moon Boots– if you’re gonna go, go all the way (girls).

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(Above, left) 1970s, St.-Moritz, Switzerland — Mirja and Gunter Sachs.  German millionaire and the former husband of French actress Brigitte Bardot. — Image by © Pierre Vauthey

(Above, right) Jeane-Claude Killy

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Oregon, August 1939. “Unemployed lumber worker goes with his wife to the bean harvest. Note Social Security number tattooed on arm.” Shorpy determined through a public records search that 535-07-5248 belonged to one Thomas Cave, born July 1912, died in 1980 in Portland, OR. Which would make him 27 years old when this picture was taken.  This pic has long ben a favorite of mine.  First, there’s the handsome rake with his devilish “cat that just ate the canary” grin, and his beautiful bride lounging in the background with her equally impressive model-worthy looks.  Second, there is more than a little irony for me in this image, as we so often equate physical beauty with material success these days– but here’s a stunning couple eking out a living through sweat and toil one meal at a time.  I’m tellin’ you, as sure as I live and breathe– poverty is the ultimate equalizer, folks.

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California, March 1937. “Toward Los Angeles.” Another ironic pic– “Next Time Try The Train– Relax.”  Well– give me the fare and I will, buddy.  We ain’t walkin’ for our health…

The American photographer Dorothea Lange was a product of Hoboken, NJ (May 26, 1895 – October 11, 1965).  She started out her career in photography taking commercial portraits in 1920s San Francisco. Dorothea then worked in the Southwest with her first husband, painter Maynard Dixon. In the early 1930s, Lange intuitively took her camera to the streets, recording the breadlines and waterfront strikes of Depression era San Francisco.  That marked the beginning of a radical shift in her philosophy & photography, that would mark her life and give us some of the most iconic American images known.

In 1935, Lange began her landmark work for the Farm Security Administration, a Federal Agency. Collaborating with her second husband, labor economist Paul S. Taylor, she documented the troubled exodus of farm families migrating West in search of work. Lange’s documentary style achieved its fullest expression in these years, with photographs such as Migrant Mother becoming instantly recognized symbols of the Depression.

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California, February 1936.  ”Destitute peapickers in California; a 32 year old mother of seven children.” This iconic image has become known as “Migrant Mother” is one of a series of photographs that Dorothea Lange made of Florence Owens Thompson and her children in Nipomo, California. Lange was concluding a month’s trip photographing migratory farm labor around the state for what was then the Resettlement Administration.

In 1960, Dorothea Lange gave this account of the Migrant Mother experience–

I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions. I made five exposures, working closer and closer from the same direction. I did not ask her name or her history. She told me her age, that she was thirty-two. She said that they had been living on frozen vegetables from the surrounding fields, and birds that the children killed. She had just sold the tires from her car to buy food. There she sat in that lean- to tent with her children huddled around her, and seemed to know that my pictures might help her, and so she helped me. There was a sort of equality about it.

(From: Popular Photography, Feb. 1960).

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November 1936. “Drought refugee from Polk, Missouri. Awaiting the opening of orange picking season at Porterville, California.”

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October 1939. “Mrs. Sam Cates, wife of Cow Hollow farmer. Malheur County, Oregon.”

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February 1939. Calipatria, Imperial Valley. Car on siding across tracks from pea packing plant. Twenty-five year old itinerant, originally from Oregon. “On the road eight years, all over the country, every state in the union, back and forth, pick up a job here and there, traveling all the time.”

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June 1938. Outskirts of El Paso, Texas. “Young Negro wife cooking breakfast. ‘Do you suppose I’d be out on the highway cooking my steak if I had it good at home?’ Occupations: hotel maid, cook, laundress.”

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December 1935. “Resettled farm child. From Taos Junction to Bosque Farms project, New Mexico.”

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October 1939. “Tavern on main street of potato town during harvest season. Merrill, Oregon.”

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Fourth of July 1939 near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Rural filling stations become community centers and general loafing grounds. Cedargrove Team members about to play in a baseball game.

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November 1938. “Farm woman beside her barn door. Tulare County, California. No more horseshoes!”

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July 1939. Gordonton, N.C. “Country store on dirt road. Sunday afternoon. Note kerosene pump on the right and the gasoline pump on the left. Rough, unfinished timber posts have been used as supports for porch roof. Negro men sitting on the porch. Brother of store owner stands in doorway.”

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November 1936. “Daughter of migrant Tennessee coal miner. Living in American River camp near Sacramento, California.”

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July 1937. “Man who worked in Fullerton, Louisiana, lumber mill for 15 years. He is now left stranded in the cut-over area.”

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August 1936. Drought refugees from Abilene, Texas, following the crops of California as migratory workers. Said the father: “The finest people in this world live in Texas but I just can’t seem to accomplish nothin’ there. Two year drought, then a crop, then two years drought and so on. I got two brothers still trying to make it back there.”

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May 1939. “Between Tulare and Fresno on U.S. 99. Farmer from Independence, Kansas, on the road at cotton chopping time. He and his family have been in California for six months.”

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Dorothea Lange, Resettlement Administration photographer, in California atop car with her giant camera. February 1936.

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Circa 1929, Wall of Death, Revere Beach, MA

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With the quickly improving build quality, speed, and more oil-tight engines, motorcycle racing was able to move from dirt tracks onto the motordromes of the 1910s– large wooden board tracks used for streamlined competition with banked turns of 70-80 degrees.  Riders soon learned a neat trick– that with a little speed, centripetal force made it possible for them to stick their bike sideways in turns on a completely vertical wall.

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Motordrome racer on an Excelsior motorcycle, circa 1914

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Motorcycle companies here and abroad (Indian and BSA, to name a couple) found that the public loved the thrill of peering down just a few feet away from the gunning biker beneath them, and thus it quickly became a highly promoted spectacle as manufacturers used it as a vehicle to advertise their brands, and daredevil riders upped the ante at breakneck speed to make a name for themselves and  solidify their reputations on the infamous Wall of Death.

With roots that can be traced back to New York’s own Coney Island, the Wall of Death attraction morphed into a motordrome on crack.  Motorcycles, carts and yep, even lions– simultaneously racing and criss-crossing in a raucous blur of fumes, fury, and fur inside the equivalent of an over-sized wooden barrel. The sport had a strong run from the 1930s- 1960s (with Indian Scouts being the over-riding bike of choice), but there are still hardcore enthusiasts to be found all over keeping it alive today.

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Dick Monte with two handsome-as-hell Wall of Death riders, circa 1945. The rider on the left is Elias Harris, and  on the right is Tornado Smith.  Photo from the late Carrie Tindale collection.

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Wall of Death motorcycle rider, circa 1930s

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“Wall of Death” AKA “Auto Drome of Death” motorcycle and cart riding crew, Stratford upon Avon

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Unidentified lion and female Wall of Death driver from back in the day

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“Fearless” Egbert of Collins Famous Death Riders & Racing Lion.

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Mr. “Fearless” Egbert taking his five year-old lion for a ride on the Wall of Death at Mitcham fair.

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Tornado Smith, the Wall of Death rider from Southend, and his wife having tea with their pet lion and lamb.  George “Tornado” Smith brought the Wall of Death from America to England in 1929, and featured such spectacles as”Briton the Wall-riding lion” and “Gymkhana Girls and Girl Protégées” in his billing.  Check out the skull-and-crossbones badge on his beret, he’s nowhere near as mild-mannered as he looks.  –Derek Berwin/Hulton Archive

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Tornado Smith posts a letter while riding penny farthing bicycle. He is wearing a learner plate and his bike is advertising his Wall of Death act. –Derek Berwin/Hulton Archive

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(Left) Circa 1935, Earls Court, London — Tornado Smith, who entertains the crowds at Olympia with his Wall of Death ride, is seen riding a penny-farthing on the Earls Court Road. — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection

(Right) Circa 1936, Southend-on-Sea, England — Mr. “Tornado” Smith, a stunt motorcyclist, clips the toenails of his pet lion, at home. — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection

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Circa 1949, UK — Sixteen year old Maureen Swift riding with ‘Tornado’ Smith around ‘The Wall of Death’ attraction in the Southend Kursaal to promote BSA motorcycles. — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection

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Circa 1949, UK — Tornado Smith helps Maureen Swift ride a motorcycle around the “Wall of Death” to promote BSA motorcycles. — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection

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Left- Female Wall of Death motorcycle rider Cookie Ayers-Crum on her Indian Scout, Right- Maureen Swift, circa 1949.

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Circa 1932, Wall of Death stylin’ Scarboro riders.

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Wall of Death– Proudly brought to you by the Indian Scout.

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Wall of Death motorcycle rider performing with arms crossed.

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The James E. Strates Show Cavalcade of Thrills– Wall of Death.

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Racing Car on the Wall crew– Now featuring Speedy Rube Knight & Daredevil Alma.

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Wall of Death Thrill Show with Fearless Lady Riders.

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Usually I’m the one going on about cars– here’s your chance to show your stuff.  Name all 18 autos and – you tha man.

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1. 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT

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2. 1968 Bertone Alfa Romeo Carabo

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3. 1970 Porsche Tapiro by Guigaro

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4. 1970 Lancia Bertone Stratos Concept Car

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5. 1970 Pininfarina Ferrari 512 S Modulo

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6. 1970 Bertone Lancia Stratos Zero

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7. Adams Probe 15

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8. 1970 Chevrolet Corvette XP-882

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9. Straker Car

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In “Walk the Line,” June Carter refers to Johnny Cash’s voice as “Steady like a train, sharp like a razor.”

Amen, sister.  When I think of Johnny, without fail I’ll get an image in my head of an old steam train– big, black, strong & steady.  And of course that classic Cash chicka-boom rhythm sounds just like a trusty ol’ train a rollin’ round the bend, and right on time– so reliable, you could set your watch to it.  Yeah, Johnny Cash sang a lot about trains, prison and hard times– and we all know through his epic lyrics that the beauty of the train is that it represents the freedom of leaving the past behind.  All that crap that you just need to separate yourself from with miles and miles of railroad track and dust. A new start, a second chance.

There’s also something lonely and soulful about a train ride– staring out as the barren landscape goes drifting by.  It’s just you and that train.  It holds you there firmly, with nothin’ to distract you from who and what you’re leaving behind– as the soothing click of the rails beneath your feet reminds you that soon it’ll all be long gone.

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Well if they freed me from this prison,

If that railroad train was mine

I bet I’d move it on a little farther down the line

Far from Folsom prison, that’s where I want to stay

And I’d let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away…

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I’m gonna climb aboard and ride until I learn to smile

I’ll be knockin’ out the blues while I’m knockin’ out the miles

With my guitar beatin’ rhythm to the click-clack of the wheels

I’m gonna sing the blues ’cause that’s the way that I feel

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Conductor go and tell the man to shovel on the coal

It doesn’t seem as half as bad as long as I can roll

Give me another ticket and I’ll stay and ride with you

There’s nothin’ left to live for in the world we’re rollin’ through

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Back in 1974, Johnny Cash narrated and starred in Ridin’ the Rails: The Great American Train Story where Johnny talks about trains– their importance in American history, and his own personal, nostalgic love for ‘em.  Granted it’s the 70s, so you know that there’s a certain amount of hokiness to the production that you’ll have to bear– but for hardcore Johnny Cash fans it’s still a gem.

Johnny Cash singin’ City of New Orleans–

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Johnny Cash covering The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down–

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Johnny Cash and the workin’ hobos of the rails, singin’ Crystal Chandeliers and Burgundy–

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Marianne Faithfull filming La Motocyclette (Girl on a Motorcycle), 1967

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Marianne Faithfull– of noble roots in masochistic boots, sang folk songs, took the Stones on, rocked the London scene with Anita Pallenberg Boho Queen… and she was just getting warmed up. Encore, Encore!

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Marrianne Faithfull– Italy, 1967  (left) Filming La Motocyclette (Girl on a Motorcycle), 1967 (right)

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Alain Delon and Marianne Faithfull, Girl on a Motorcycle — Image by © Cat’s Collection

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(Left) 1967, Marianne Faithfull leaves court here June 28, where her boyfriend Mick Jagger was sentenced to three months in jail on drug charges.  Keith Richards, was sentenced to a year in prison. Ms. Faithfull had visited Jagger in jail and brought him books and cigarettes. — Image by © Bettmann

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July 6th 1969, London — Anita Pallenberg and Marianne Faithfull with her son Nicholas, are among the fans atop the Rolling Stones platform during the open air, free concert by the group in Hyde Park. The concert was held just a few days after the death of Rolling Stones musician Brian Jones. An estimated 200,000 fans attended the concert. — Image by © Bettmann

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Circa 1973 — Kiss band members applied their own makeup for this photo shoot, which produced the shot used on the cover of their debut self-titled album in 1974. — Image by © Joel Brodsky

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I still remember when I was first introduced to KISS. It was 1978, my buddy Joey Bello was a little more ‘progressive’ than I was, and he was all about ‘em– had the album covers tacked to his bedroom wall, could lip-synch all the songs, and wanted to be Paul Stanley somethin’ bad. So, Joey and I would hang out and he was pushin’ hard for me to be a KISS convert too, except I just wasn’t really feelin’ it.  Oh, I tried. I agreed to be Gene Simmons to his Paul Stanley, and I genuinely liked a couple songs– but I just didn’t get that into it, man.  The KISS stage lasted a couple months (if that) for me–  I thought, is this all there is? Makeup, blood, and tongue?  Yeah, they were groundbreakers and all, but something seemed to be missing.  I remember feeling inside like it was a classic case of ’style over substance’– even if I couldn’t quite articulate it at the time.

The band became merchandising geniuses overnight, plastering their likeness and logo on anything they thought would sell– another turn-off.  I have to admit, the KISS logo with the lightning bolt “SS” looked pretty rad (still does), and I’m pretty sure a lot of kids liked the street cred of people thinking they were a KISS fan, and how it looked on a t-shirt, more than how it sounded to their ears.

KISS definitely hooked a lot of kids with the infamous, over-the-top urban legends that preteen boys ate up with a spoon.  My personal favorites–

• Gene Simmons had a cow’s tongue surgically implanted.
• They crushed puppies while wearing their ankle-snapping, spiked boots to psych themselves up before live shows.
• They were supposedly Devil worshippers– Knights In Satan’s Service.

Classic.  It seemed like every kid in the late 70s was running around with their tongue out, flashing devil horns, wearing a KISS t-shirt and carrying a KISS lunchbox.  It kinda makes it hard to take them seriously in terms of musical integrity, but who cares?  KISS knew exactly what they were doing– they were about being loud, rowdy, pumping your fist and having fun.  If anyone’s laughing, it’s them.  Trust me– Gene Simmons sleeps like a baby at night, and why shouldn’t he? It was business, my friend.  And in all fairness, it was also art– whether you liked KISS or not.

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Circa 1970s — Kids applied their own KISS makeup and shredded their sister’s gynastics class gear to dress-up and put on private shows in basements & family rooms across America and the world.*via

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I’m tellin’ ya, the drummer always gets screwed– like have to be the freakin’ cat boy with a cute button nose and whiskers painted on his face…

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Circa 1980– Fans at a KISS concert.

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Circa 1976, Hollywood, CA — Kiss: Ace Frehley (guitar), Peter Criss (drums), Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar, vocals), and Gene Simmons (bass, vocals). — Image by © Neal Preston

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1970s Kiss army in training– that’s what I call attitude! via

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Eric Carr was a little too into it.  Guys, be honest– does my butt look hot in this outfit?  Creepin’ me out.

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Circa 1970s– KISS, clearly before the days of ‘man-scaping’… surprisizing, cuz Paul stanley was such a chick.

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I’d love to know what Gene Simmons spent just on boots over the years– serious pieces of work.

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Gene Simmons, who didn’t do drugs, drink or smoke (except fire) was the only real badass in the band.

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Circa 1970s– The early days of KISS, still figuring out the whole makeup & garb thing.

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Circa 1976 — KISS performing live. — Image by © Neal Preston

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Circa 1980– Kiss performing live.  Amazing the difference a few years and a few million records can have in your stage gear.  Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. — Image by © Lynn Goldsmith

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Nobody wanted to be Gene Simmons.  Probably because the preteen girls didn’t dig it.   via.

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Circa 1970s– Kiss back when the still had a little more of the Glam Rock thang, and a little less of the blood thang.

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1970s Kiss kids tribute.  Seems like a lot of home interiors were brown & orange & dark back then.  via

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KISS KREEPY KIMONO KRAZINESS

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KISS in suits, and even saddle shoes (far left), awesome!  Remember all the homemade Rock posters back then?

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Circa 1980– Fans at a KISS concert.

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Circa 1978– KISS concert at Madison Square Garden, NY.  Between the stage show and the tokin’-up crowd there was plenty of “smoke” for the lasers to illuminate with awesomeness.   via

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Why does this pic of Ace Frehley on the phone crack me up?  You think she really likes KISS, or just the t-shirt?

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Circa 1979– KISS promo

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Will the real Gene Simmons please stand up?  Kid pic via.

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Circa 1974– KISS promo

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1970s family fun– Dad, check out this killer new band, KISS!  Yes, son.  OY!   Put your tongue back in your mouth before you give your mother a heart attack.  via

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Circa 1980 — Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley of KISS — Image by © Lynn Goldsmith

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Don’t forget to flush and was your hands, son.  And Paul Stanley– put on a shirt, man!  You look like you’ve been dipped in oil and rolled in pubic hair, bro.  please.  For the love of God, that’s just wrong.

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Circa 1976, Los Angeles, CA — Rock Band Kiss in front of the Hollywood Wax Museum — Image by © Tony Korody

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1970s KISS Army chicks.  Yeah, kinda creepy– this could be a deal breaker, ladies.  via

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Circa 1973– KISS in all their Glam Rock awesomeness.

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A rare peak inside the early days of the engineering dept. at Indian– year unknown.

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Charles B. Franklin joined Indian in 1914, and was the first ever formally trained engineer on staff since the motorcycle firm officially opened its doors in 1901. Franklin’s background in engineering, as well as racing, gave Indian someone expertly qualified for the position. Born in Ireland in 1886, Franklin was a graduate of the Dublin College of Science in 1908, then joined the engineering department of Dublin’s municipal government. He was passionate about motorcycling, personally owning several makes and models before finally fixing his sights on Indian in 1910. Franklin entered several local motorcycle competitions where his riding ability and success in the events brought him to the attention to the UK Indian importer, Billy Wells. He was a member of the famous Indian racing team that swept the 1911 Isle of Man TT, gaining second place behind Oliver Godfrey, and in front of Arthur Moorhouse, in the historic first 1-2-3 finish for Indian.

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1916 Indian Powerplus 1000 cc motorcycle

A brief primer on the Indian Powerplus–

1907 was a major milestone year for Indian– for it’s when the iconic American motorcycle company introduced the first of its V-twin engines.  They continued to improve upon the design, and marked themselves as leading innovators when in 1911 Indian introduced the next generation of the Powerplus– OHV (overhead valve), four-valves-per-cylinder racers.   In 1916, Indian ushered in their widely popular 61 cu.in. (998cc) flathead V-twin.  The powerful engine distributed its power through a three-speed, hand-change gearbox, with foot-operated clutch and all-chain drive.

The side-valve engine design of the Indian PowerPlus proved to be a tough-as-nails workhorse, and in the hands of the new generation of motor-heads and speed-demons of the day– it was force to be reckoned with on any road or racetrack.

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1919 Indian Military Powerplus– the motorcycle that helped the US win WWI.

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1918 Indian Powerplus motorcycle advertisement.

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There were major forces at this time impacting Indian’s technology aspirations.  Manufacturing preparations for WWI were gearing up, and production resources for commercial production were limited.

1920 officially ushered in a significant decline in domestic motorcycle sales to make matters worse. Thankfully by this time, Indian had become a major exporter, chiefly to the UK, where events like the Isle of Man TT were dominated by smaller displacement motorcycles.  Franklin’s Irish heritage surely played some part in Indian’s efforts to not only dominate Europe’s racing circuits, but also aggressively go after more market share overseas (a point soon made moot when England introduced a steep import tariff in 1925 to support Triumph, Norton, and other local motorcycle manufacturers).

In 1922, the US National Championship sanctioning officials, motivated by a public outcry over the ever-increasing motorcycle fatalities, introduced the toned-down 30.50 cubic inch (500 cc) class of motorcycle racing.  It was a clear attempt to slow motorcycle performance– as speeds were scarily lapping rider safety advancements.

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“Grandma Beal” AKA Ruth Beal on an Indian Powerplus

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Indian set-out to dominate Harley Davidson in the small displacement wars by throwing its engineering staff at the new field by developing new, potent smaller engines– where as Harley’s answer seemed to be to lop a cylinder off their standard 61 ci, two cam engine.  By 1925, the 4-valve 30.5 ci (500 cc) powered Indians handily surpassed the H-D “half-twin,” giving them 4 out of 5 US National Championships in their class.

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Technology aside, Indian would soon have Harley Davidson beat in another department– Looks.  Indian created a strong following with iconic and stunning design.  The new era of Charles B. Franklin designed street-bikes soon became known for their sweeping, deeply valanced fenders and signature Indian-head ornament on the front fender. Indians were the ‘leader of the pack’ in terms of looks and style– whose design cues are still fiercely coveted  by today’s motorcycle purists. Undoubtedly one of the most loved (and oft imitated) trademarks of the old Indians are the incredible multi-toned, high quality paints jobs that began to appear in 1929, when Mr. E. Paul DuPont of paint company fame, became President of the motorcycle company.

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To be continued… next up, the Scout, Chief & Big Chief.

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From the desk of Contributing Editor Eli M. Getson–

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I have always been fascinated by Bob Marley’s love of football, or as we say in America– soccer. The many images that captured his playing in formal games, or just juggling the ball, show a different side of the natty dread who would burn up the stage all over Europe in the 1970s.  We see a person focused yet loose, an athlete who truly had a passion for the game, and a man totally at ease with himself.  By all reports he was quite skilled with the ball, and could pass and score with equal proficiency.

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Traveling the world over the last few years, I always noticed that Bob Marley’s image (along with Che Guevara) is omnipresent whenever you’re in a country where the people are under oppression, live under a corrupt system, and struggle just to get by.  Marley’s music and life story make him a natural advocate for the oppressed– and to this day, his image is a top-seller on many a t-shirt the world over.

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In one of the great ironies of life, it wasn’t until after Marley’s death in 1981 that he became a musical and pop culture icon in the United States.  During his actual playing days he was a star in Europe and sold out consistently in both the UK (where the Wailers were huge due to the support of the Jamaican expat community, and from the support of people like Mike Jagger and George Harrison) and on the continent.  His two live albums:  “Live” recorded at the Lyceum in London in ’75 in front of a who’s-who of the London music scene, and “Babylon by Bus” were recorded in front of packed houses– if you listen to the recordings you can hear the crowd going totally nuts.  This same level of adulation was not the story in America– In the late 1970s the Wailers frequently had trouble packing a venue.  The radio was dominated by one format stations back then, and black radio was primarily by disco-driven.  The drum and bass driven thump of Reggae tended to get passed over by parochial station managers and DJ’s.  It was not until the mid 1980s when college radio began to take hold (a good five years after his passing), until the appreciation, and ultimate apotheosis, of Bob Marley in America began.

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For me I have always loved the music and actually made a pilgrimage with my family to Bob’s final resting place in Nine Mile, Jamaica in 1984.  The images of Bob playing football would be respectfully interpreted by Addidas for a small capsule collection in their authentics stores a few years ago, showing that while Marley was a man of substance, he had great style as well.

–Eli M. Getson

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No turkeys were harmed or killed during the production of this post.  Please enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday with our warmest regards.

–The Selvedge Yard.

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Circa 1910, postcard by Frances Brundage. You know I love anything on wheels...

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Circa 1934 -- Max Baer, world's heavyweight boxing champion, gathering his Thanksgiving dinner. -- Image by © Bettmann.

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“I’ll take a leg, please…”

Marilyn Monroe as vixen pilgrim, circa 1950.  Adelle August as ‘the angel of turkey death’, circa 1954  – Images by © Bettmann.

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Jeanne Crain has an axe to grind with a certain turkey, circa 1946.  (Bettie Page, left) Queens of the the 33rd annual Roseland Thanksgiving Eve ball in New York. circa 1951. — Images by © Bettmann.

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Carole Robert, circa 1950. Blackfeet tribe of the Glacier National Park reservation, circa 1926. — Images by © Underwood & Underwood.

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‘I don’t like this anymore than you do… ” — Actress Louise Lorraine, circa 1920s. — Image by © John Springer Collection.

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“Here turkey, turkey…” kids gettin’ in on the fun of  killin’ turkeys and such –circa 1930s.

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“I’ll show you mine,  if you show me yours…” Circa 1939. — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection.

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Yes, there are proper ways to handle a turkey.  And they used to bring ‘em home live and prepare ‘em fresh.  No “Butterballs” back then– you had to get yer’ hands dirty.  Circa 1930s & ’40s. — Images by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection.

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Circa 1950, New York, NY.  Looking a gift turkey in the eye, Jimmy Durante ‘noses’ up to the gobbler presented to him in preparation for his role as Grand Marshal of the annual Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade. Jimmy is taking good care of the bird to make certain it can make the long march down Broadway with an impressive array of floats and floating giants. — Image by © Bettmann.

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Circa 1954, Washington, DC, USA — President Eisenhower seems highly pleased with the 43-pound Kentucky Colonel turkey from the blue-grass state, presented to him at the White House by Peary Browning (right) of Winchester, Kentucky, president of the National Turkey Federation.  The Thanksgiving bird was selected from a flock of 100,000 at Browning’s farm. — Image by © Bettman.

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Circa 1950, Washington, DC.  President Truman is shown as he received the first of a number of turkeys which are presented to him annually for Thanksgiving.  The turkey, a 35-pound white holland tom, was presented by the National Turkey Federation and National Poultry and Egg Board. — Image by © Bettmann.

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I can see in LBJ’s eyes he’s thinkin’– “I betcha this turkey would like to see my scar.”

Circa 1967, Washington, DC.  President Johnson was presented with this 40-pound broad-breasted white Tom Thanksgiving turkey at the White House November 16. Senator Everett M. Dirksen, Republican–Illinois, made the presentation for the National Turkey Federation. — Image by © Bettmann.

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I call this– “It takes one to know one…”  Isn’t that the saying?

Circa 1955, Washington, DC.  ”Howdy, Mr. Gobbler” –President Eisenhower’s thanksgiving turkey, presented annually by the Turkey industry, is received by Vice President Richard Nixon at a capitol ceremony. Looking on from left as Mr. Nixon accepts the 40-pound bird on behalf of the Chief Executive are: Stanley Marsden, Beltsville, Md.; Charles W. Wampler, Harrisonburg, Va.; Leslie S. Hubbard, Lancaster, PA., and Chester Housh, Elton, VA., President of the National Turkey Foundation. — Image by © Bettmann.

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For great vintage shots of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade CLICK HERE.

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Circa 1937– Springfield, Massachusetts. Since the creation of the Indian Motorcycle, the Indian Factory (the Wigwam) has been the greatest of its kind in the world. The tremendous facilities of this factory are laid out over 12 acres of floor space– nothing short of an actual visit will enable you to visualize the manufacture of today’s Indian motorcycles. In making a tour of the 35 departments of the factory, a person would walk a distance of 7 miles. The row upon row of machinery, if placed end to end, would alone stretch out over 1 1/2 miles. Indian leadership has been maintained thru the years by that manufacturing expertness which finds its outlet in making each new Indian better than the best Indian which has gone before it. When you ride on an Indian, you ride on the Best. — Image by © Lake County Museum

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When you think of classic American Iron, two brands typically come to mind– Harley-Davidson & Indian. Well, Harley-Davidson always comes to mind– and if you know a thing or two about bikes, then hopefully you’re familiar with Indian too.  For those of us that came along after the heyday of American manufacturing, it’s easy to overlook that in the early days there were literally dozens (some even say hundreds) of companies producing motorcycles right here in the US.

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Indian co-founder Oscar Hedstrom on left, CA. 1902.  And I suspect that’s him on the right, ca. 1901.

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Dig around and you’ll find an amazing archive of stories behind companies like– Ace, Cleveland, Crocker, Cushman, Emblem, Excelsior/Henderson, Flying Merkel, Flanders (mainly accessories), Iver Johnson, Marsh, Pierce, Pope, Reading Standard, Schickel, Sears, Thor, Whizzer, Yale, just to name a few.  Out of the crowded pack, two iconic brands emerged, and for years went head-to-head for dominance on the race tracks, and in the hearts of the American motorcycle enthusiast.  In the end, one clearly came out on top.  And while we all know who won– it’s interesting to glean from the many missteps that would eventually lead to Indian’s demise.

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A vintage Indian motorcycle on display at the Guggenheim Las Vegas. -- Image by © Ted Soqui

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Indian is recognized as being the first major player on the scene, rolling out production (all of 3 bikes) in 1901– two years before Harley-Davidson.  Started by Oscar Hedstrom & George Hendee, a couple of bicycle racers and self-taught engineers, they set out by essentially bolting Hedstrom’s small engines on to Hendee’s bicycles, and from there they quickly honed their craft to create some of the best motorcycles of that era.  Indian became the force to be reckoned with, and first-to-market with innovation after innovation– the first V-Twin engine, the first two-speed transmission, the first adjustable front suspension, the first electric lights and starter, and many more.  Indian was clearly dominant in the marketplace, and on the race track– setting and breaking speed records hand-over-fist.

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Indian originally began manufacturing under the corporate banner of the Hendee Manufacturing Company, which was later reincorporated as the Indian Motocycle Company (an apparent nod to the European style of “Moto” motorcycle company names — i.e. Moto-Guzzi), early Indians were inspired by Hedstrom’s work with “pacing” bicycles, see below–

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Circa 1910 -- A track cyclist is shown in practice behind an early Indian motorcycle. -- Image by © Underwood & Underwood.

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Competition with Harley-Davidson in the early days was fierce, and factory sponsored racers were expected to be loyal– it was pretty unheard of for guys to switch allegiances back then without controversy.  Legendary Indian riders over the years like Bobby Hill, Bill Tuman, Ernie Beckman (all a part of the legendary “Indian Wrecking Crew” of the 1940s & ’50s) Ed Kretz, Burt Munro, and Mad Max Bubeck were motorcycling Hellcats in their respective days, and their exploits and success became synonymous with the Indian brand.

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Circa 1914– “Baker and O’Brien, transcontinental motorcyclists, back of White House.”  –How American is that, I ask you? Erwin ‘Cannonball’ Baker (right)– After the record-setting five-month, 10,000 mile transcontinental run by Baker on an Indian motorcycle in 1914, a New York newspaper writer compared Baker to the Cannonball Express train and he picked up the famous moniker that would stick with him the rest of his life.  Harris & Ewing. (images via Shorpy).

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You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in motorcycling history more interesting than ‘Cannonball’ Baker. His record attempts often put him directly in harm’s way.  In one three-flags record attempt back in 1916, Baker had to change routes several times to avoid vast forest fires. In another run he took a turn at a high rate of speed and came upon a herd of cattle in the road. In trying to miss the herd, Baker turned sharply, hit a hole in the road and was thrown off his motorcycle into a fence– which in turn bounced him right onto the back of one of the cows. The surprised cow bucked him off and he ultimately landed in a ditch off the side of the road.  Baker took his skills overseas and set numerous records in foreign countries, most notably Australia and New Zealand.  Baker began shifting his focus and most of his record attempts were in automobiles.  In 1922, he ran in the Indianapolis 500 and finished 11th.  Baker also worked for Rickenbacker Automobiles, which was owned by the famous World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Eventually he became an AMA race official, and later was named national commissioner for NASCAR. Not a bad run, eh?

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Circa 1911–  Motorcyclist Oscar Godfrey poses with his Indian motorcycle during the B.M.C.R.C. trials at Brooklands. — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection.  Indians fast growth was fueled by early and impressive wins, such as the Isle of Man TT in 1911– when Indian riders Godfrey, Franklin and Moorehouse finished first, second and third. Indian star rider Jake De Rosier set several speed records both in America and at Brooklands in England, and won an estimated 900 races on dirt and board track racing.

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Circa 1914, Brooklands — J.C. Brooke sitting on his Indian motorcycle at the Brooklands Easter Meeting in Scotland. — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection.

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Circa 1920. Herbert McBride, who recently broke the world’s motorcycle record for amateurs on his Indian.  His time was 105:24 miles per hour, which beats the old professional speed record. — Image by © Bettmann.  Speaking for myself, shots like these give me the chills.  The beauty of form and function coming together simply in all things, in a way that’s matter-of-fact and with a sense of pride, but not boastful.  The practical mix of quality apparel and accessories that are no nonsense and get the job done– all topped of with a neckerchief (tucked-in of course, so as not to flap in one’s face)– a nod to more civilized times. *

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With all their success early on, sadly Indian soon began a slow descent stemming from several changes in ownership and top management over the years. While great innovations continued at Indian, they often went unappreciated by a market that simply wasn’t willing or able to pay the steep prices that came along with them.  Bikes like the Model H– the first true board-track factory racer ever offered for sale directly to the public. It was loaded with features like a four-valve-per-cylinder,  overhead-valve engine and a lightweight rigid frame that was free of racing “nonessentials” such as brakes, fenders or a throttle (the bikes were run with the carbs wide open).  The Model H carried a top speed of over 120mph along with a whopping price tag of $375, roughly a third more than a fully equipped Chief of the era. Problem was that not too many club racers had that kind of dough to part with, and the motorcycle-buying public also lacked the finances, but also didn’t have the balls to get on the beast– so relatively few were built. But for Indian, it still notched a moral victory of sorts.  For those few Model H bikes were pure Hellcats in the capable hands of their sponsored riders, whom they “loaned’ them to with great success– bringing home trophies and track records almost everywhere they competed.  Still, perhaps there was an important lesson there that Indian should have filed away for future consideration–

Know your market, and what they’ll pay you for– and what they won’t.  Meaning that you should resist over-engineering a commodity product far beyond the end-user’s expectations– without their buy-in, and at their expense.  Always fully understand the specific needs you aim to address with your product, along with the price ceiling associated, and focus on delivering against that.  Don’t go cutting corners, but also be careful not to be driven by vanity to take it to the extreme where it’s no longer relevant (in terms of practicality or value) to the consumer– that is, unless you want to own them all.

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More proverbial writing was on the wall, when in 1913 Oscar Hedstrom left Indian after heated disagreements with the Board of Directors regarding their questionable accounting practices  that inflated the company’s stock values.  Co-founder George Hendee was not far behind, with him resigning in 1916.  The “powers that be” at Indian tapped Hedstrom’s long-time assistant Charles Gustafson and Charles B. Franklin (an Irish immigrant and former rider for the “Indian Rules” team that swept the Isle of Man TT in 1911) to pick up the company’s top engineering duties.  In the years that followed, Indian released Franklin’s iconic V-twin powered designs that would become the hallmark of the brand.

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Circa 1922, Los Angeles, California -- Speed demons beware... the Los Angeles motor corps with their new fleet of Indian motorcycles all ready and waiting to set out after Californian motorists who like to step on the gas. -- Image by © Bettmann.

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To be continued… click here

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Once upon a time — or more accurately, back in the 1970s — the van reigned supreme.  Riding in right on the heels of the fading muscle car era, the custom van became the ultimate self-expression vehicle– tricked-out and personalized to show all the world just how your bad self rolled.  They were badass, man–  a portable pampered pad that allowed you to take all your extra-curricular activities of sorts (legal or lotharious) on the road– and there were custom shops on every corner back then that would customize your ride with a kick-ass sound system, lighting, shag carpeting, Captains chairs, beds, bubble windows, louvres, spoilers, mag wheels, custom horns, CB radios– and don’t forget to top it all off with a one-off airbrushed paint job depicting your choice of Wizard, Warlock, Wave or Western scenic.  It may be time for a comeback, folks– especially with the home foreclosure rate being what it is…

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I wonder if this ad had any influence on the Spicoli character from Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Pretty rad either way.

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The chain steering wheel is also a favorite among the Low Rider set.

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