1950s Greasers

THE GREASERS

The Greasers were a 1950s youth sub-culture, mainly in the working-class neighbourhoods of North America. They loved hot-rod cars, Rock and Roll and Doo Wop music. The name 'greaser' came from their greased-back hairstyle which was inspired by James Dean, one of the main influences of the greasers (along with Marlon Brando). In the UK, the equivalent of these 'dirty trouble makers' were the Rockers who were pretty much the same except they loved motorbikes rather than cars. 

MUSIC

Rockabilly and Doo Wop music was what the Greasers listened to. Stars of the music scene were Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Danny and the Juniors, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran and Dion and the Belmonts. 

 FILMS

Popular movies included:

• The Wild One, 1953
• Rebel Without a Cause, 1955
• Love Me Tender, 1956
• Jailhouse Rock, 1957

The Greasers would have gone to the drive-in to watch these movies in their hot-rod cars.The main Film stars were Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Audrey Hepburn and Marlon Brando. James Dean's most successful films, Rebel without a Cause and Giant, were both released after Dean's death in September 1955 when he was killed in a car accident. Some argue that James Dean only became a pop culture icon because of his death rather than his acting.




PLACES
Greasers were out constantly out whether it be with their friends or on dates. Popular hangouts were malt shops and diners similar to the one on Grease (1978). Drive-in's are also iconic of the greaser culture.

FASHION
In retrospective, the greaser look is probably the most iconic style of the 1950s. Black/white T-shirts with the sleeves rolled up, leather jacket and either boots or converse all stars were the uniform. Greasers' wardrobes would also consist of blue jeans, flannel shirts and denim jackets. They slicked their hair back with wax and styled it into the pompodour or duck's tail.