Skinhead

Traces the history of this unique group from the original '60s Skinheads to its mid-'70s revival. Features a piece by Dick Hebdige on the sociology of youth cults. Skinheads could be identified as a separate group in 1968 because of their distinctive dress and appearance, the type of music they liked, and the tough, aggressive behavior they displayed. They emerged from the working class youth of London and other cities. The skinheads derived their name from their hair style, which varied from short to bald. Dress included donkey jackets, army greens, tough working jeans, industrial boots, and braces. Steel toe-capped boots, highly polished, became an early badge of identity and a useful weapon, until they were banned at football matches. The skinheads have been obsessively interested in football and have appeared in large groups at matches and started fights with fans of the opposing team. The skinhead style never quite died out in the East End or in the industrial Midlands, but very few skinheads were seen on the streets between 1972 and 1976. The skinheads revived in the latter half of the 1970's, manifesting the most extreme elements of the old skinhead style and exaggerating them. Heads were shaved completely or the crop bleached, sometimes with Union Jacks or other symbols dyed into it. Only the boots, jeans, and braces were revived. A characteristic of the current skinheads is an intense nationalism and hostility toward immigrants, who do not share the history and culture of the British working class. The last section of the book presents the authors photographs of skinheads Colophon Dedication Contents Introduction Origins Dress Hair Music Behaviour Authority Decline Revival This Is England! And They Don't Live Here Being Authentic Being British Jim Ferguson's Fashion Notebook Coats 'N' 'Ats Hats Hair Habits Suitjackets Ridiculous/Sublime Details Trousers Levi Lee Ride Wrangler Favourite Shirts Ties Boots & Shoes 1968-69 1969-70 1970 1971 1971 (mid to late) Knitwear Discography 1968 1969 1970 1971 The Photographs This title presents a handbook of the potent skinhead cult. It traces the development of the skinhead movement in England, describes the characteristics and behaviour of these gangs, and explains their attitudes towards school, the police, and the government

The author traces the history of this unique band from the original sixties Skinheads to its mid-seventies revival. Features a piece by Dick Hebdige on the sociology of youth cults, as well as Nick Night's East End photograph collection. (b/w photos)

A handbook of the most prevalent post-war youth cult. Over 20,000 copies sold.