sivanpunk
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- Nov 19, 2011
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It must be my Age,or something,but I think I have finally sussed out-how "Hard Mods"(then eventually Skinhead) came about.It would fit in with the Skinhead Ethos.I am reading a Book(Fictional) called"Here Come The Nice".In the Story,(set in Modern Britain)the main Character is Researching Carnaby Street-and especially John Stephens.Now it starts off by going back to 1964.A Character who is just called the "Face" is standing outside The "Scene"Club in Ham Yard.The "Face"ends up like a time traveller-but not just yet.Are you following me so far?The "Face" is the epitome of a Top Mod.He buys the latest Clothes etc.,and he knows his way about "Up West".One of the things he is doing(because he believes this is what a"Face" should do)is go with pretty Male Mods,and "Rent Boys".This is just a Story!!!
The Historical Background is very sharp and well researched.There are a number of things that have really got me thinking.John Stephens came from Glasgow(he was Gay).He started up his Tailoring Business to cater for a mainly Gay Clientel.He moved to bigger Premises around in Carnaby Street.This much is Fact.What is thought provoking is-a lot of his Male Assistants supplemented their Income by being "Rent Boys" in Piccadilly.In the 60s,the "Dilly" was known as the "Meat Rack".Being 14 at the time I just assumed it was where Prostitutes hung out,but it was a "Rent Boy"pick-up area.They would do their "Business" downstairs in the Gents.Police would go undercover and be on the look-out ,because Homosexuality was illegal then.Mods had started wearing Eye-liner and to some degree Lipstick.I am not saying all the Mods were Gay,but I think(especially in the West End)a high proportion were.As the years rolled on,the Clothing and Styles got more effeminate and this is when I believe more and more Mods rebelled against this.The Clothing became more Masculine,Boots were worn to show this off to effect.Coloured Shirts etc.,were discarded.In real Terms this was Mod shrugging off the Gay Element.
Funny how years later,The Gay Movement adopted the "Skinhead Look".
that's interesting