History

Mod History

Brighton Mods and Rockers History

Brighton is seen by many as the spiritual home of Mods. Thousands of modern day Mods visit the city every year to pay homage to the Mods era, visit Quadrophenia film locations or take part in the Scooter Run or Brighton Mod Weekender.

So with the 30th anniversary of the film Quadrophenia upon us this year, we thought we’d take a step back in time and revisit where it all started in the 60s.

Here’s a timeline of the main events from the heady 60s to the present day.

Some context - From the early to mid-1960s young, mainly working class, Britons with cash to spend joined one of two youth movements. The Mods wore designer suits protected by Parka jackets and rode Vespa or Lambretta scooters bedecked with mirrors and mascots. Their music of choice was Ska music and The Who. Rockers on the other hand rode motorbikes, wore leathers and listened to the likes of Elvis and Gene Vincent. Inevitably, tensions between the two were high…

17-18 May, 1964 – Battle of Brighton takes place

The 60s saw two rival youth cultures, the Mods and Rockers, clash several times in Brighton. The most significant took place on The Whitsun Bank Holiday of 1964, which saw the now infamous 'Battle of Brighton' take place in the city, as 3000 youths descended. The leather-jacketed 'Rockers' arrived on their motor-bikes in the morning, followed in the afternoon by a much larger number of smartly dressed 'Mods' on their motor-scooters.
Several small scuffles broke out, but the most serious commotion was around the then named Palace Pier. Eventually 150 police and a police horse quelled the disturbance, although clashes broke out again the following morning. Fortunately no one was seriously injured.

1969 – 1981 - Mods and Rocker clashes

Although the Mods and Rocker clashes of 1964 were very much a reflection of their time, a number of Bank Holiday weekends up to 1981 saw much smaller confrontations between the two rival youth cultures.

1979 – Quadrophenia released

A seminal British film based on the 1973 rock opera album Quadrophenia by The Who, Quadrophenia was based and filmed largely in Brighton. Chronicling many of the events of the 1964 Mods and Rocker clashes, the film stars Sting, Phil Daniels, Toyah and many other British stars of the time.

1985 – London to Brighton Mini Run starts

The London to Brighton Mini Run is the biggest event of its kind. Not officially a Mod or Rocker event, many of the minis nevertheless tend to have a ‘Mod’ theme.

1993 - Ace Café Reunion starts

The Ace Café reunion weekend was originally organised to celebrate the re-opening of the seminal bikers’ and Rockers’ meeting point – the Ace Café in London. Now an annual event, the Sunday of the Ace Café Reunion weekend every September, sees bikers set off for the run down to Brighton.

2005 – Brightona starts

Originally conceived by Abby Goldin following a heart attack and the subsequent life saving treatment he received in Brighton, Brightona raises money for the Sussex Heart Charity and draws around 3,000 bikes to the city every October. Quite a spectacle, it’s a great event for bikers, Rockers and everyone else too!

2009 - Quadrophenia plays at Brighton Theatre Royal

In recognition of the 30th anniversary of the film, Brighton Theatre Royal is staging the original stage adaptation of the legendary film during the first week of September. The evocative world of sixties Britain provides a colourful backdrop to Jimmy's journey, whilst Pete Townsend's stunning score pulsates with life and captures the excitement of a nation on the brink of change.

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