Author and Biker Will Grimsey travelled 2900 miles in the USA on Route 66 in the wheel tracks of ‘Easy Rider’, to promote his new book “Mockers” – a 1960s romance with the Mods and Rockers . Now his new book “Mockers” has won the People’s Book Prize for a First-Time author.
Two wheels, speed, testosterone, aggression, music, fashion and romance. New book captures the Swinging Sixties and the world of Mods and Rockers
Author and motorbike enthusiast Will Grimsey grew up in the 1960s, the era of the famous rival motorbike and scooter gangs, the MODs and the ROCKERS. The MODs rode scooters like the Lambrettas or Vespa, whilst the ROCKERS rode all sorts of motorbikes, Norton, BSA, Royal Enfield, Harley Davidson or Triumphs.
Will never thought of himself as either a MOD or a ROCKER but instead, a MOCKER, a combination of both. “At the age of 12, I rode a neighbour’s Bantom 125 through local fields and woods in Radlett. The first bike I owned was an Italian Lambretta LI 150 which was favoured by the MODs, I even wore their ubiquitous Parka jacket! Years later I made the switch to Triumphs in 1995 and automatically became a ROCKER as a result.”
“My strongest memory was one of fellowship riding with my mates looking out for each other fixing broken down machines. The music of the sixties was a powerful memory of the times along with the biker cafes where teenagers would meet, listen to the Juke Box
This coupled with the recent film The Bikeriders staring Tom Hardy which featured the US Hells Angels ,is what inspired Will to write his book “Mockers – love at first bike
Mockers focuses primarily on the rift between two subcultures: the Mods and the Rockers. Following the story of young Judy McDermott as she finds love for the first time with Jimmy, the slick, leather-jacketed Rocker, and Terry, the caring, scooter-riding Mod.
The novel takes place against many backdrops, from London to Dublin to the little town of Littlestone-on-Sea, and shines a light on historical clashes between the Mods and Rockers in the seaside towns of Brighton and Margate.
Mockers is a charming tale of young love, loss, and, ultimately, reunion.
If you grew up in the 60s, this novel is sure to provide you with a good story and plenty of nostalgia. And if you are of another generation and only ever had a passing interest in the culture of the 60s, don’t turn away just yet! This novel might surprise you!
To celebrate the launch of the book Will travelled to the USA joining a group of fellow bike enthusiasts on a road-trip down around the Wild West including some of the iconic Route 66 for 3,000 miles. Route 66, is known as “The Mother Road,” is a famous highway that goes from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, on the Pacific Coast. It crosses eight states, showcasing diverse American landscapes and cultures. Will would like it put on record that 3,000 miles is a long time in the saddle!
Synopsis
Although this story begins and concludes in late 2024, the Mockers is primarily a fictional novel set in North London and Hertfordshire, in post war Britain between 1963 and 1966. The teenage youth, born in the 40s and early 50s, felt separated from those people who had been involved in the Second World War as they were born at the end or just after the war.
In the early sixties that disconnect led to the development of a counterculture which was expressed in popular music, fashion and rebellion. A generation that was expected to shut up and enjoy the peace defiantly refused. What followed was a period of incredible creativity marked by violence, risk and a sense of the old giving way to the new. It was an era that would dramatically shape the second half of the twentieth century in the UK.
This story is based on real-life landmarks and commentary that reflect real-life experiences. However, the characters are fictitious. Although some of the events took place, the story is one that could have happened. It centres around a love triangle, between a young ambitious girl, Judy, who falls in love with a Rocker, Jimmy, and then after an interlude in Ireland falls in love with a Mod, Terry. It focuses on the hopes, ambitions and pitfalls of an era that treated women shamefully, especially concerning unwanted pregnancies. This was a time prior to the birth control pill becoming freely available, which liberated women around 1966.
The story begins in 2024 with a 77-year-old Judy facing death from cancer in the Watford Peace Hospice and concludes with her revealing new facts about her life to her Granddaughter, Patsy, which leaves Patsy with an impossible dilemma.
Some very strong messages and issues of the time are highlighted, particularly relating to education, ambition, opportunities, society and female emancipation after the Second World War. But essentially, it’s about Mods and Rockers, two wheels, speed, testosterone, aggression and youth experiencing freedom and rebellion.
The term Mocker was first used by the Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, in the film, A Hard Day’s Night. When asked by a reporter if he thought his hair style was that of a Mod or a Rocker he replied, “A Mocker”. It never really stuck as a label but is an entirely appropriate name for this story which is about Mods and Rockers in the sixties.
The big seaside clashes between the Mods and Rockers, in Margate and Brighton took place in 1964 but for the purposes of this fictional piece of writing they are described as taking place in 1965.
Mockers – Love at first Bike by Will Grimsey on sale now on Amazon, all good bookshops and from www.filamentpublishing.com
PRESS and MEDIA enquiries to publisher Chris Day +44 (0)7802 211 587
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