Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Truly sad news.

We've had some RIPs for some, frankly rubbish, former pop stars recently, making global headlines out of all proportion to their talent and legacy. Yet it's taken a tip-off from a UK mate, five days after the fact, to find out that Alan Oakley designer of the Raleigh Chopper, has passed away at the age of 85 from cancer.

"Iconic" is a massively overused term these days, but to any male child of the 1970's, the Raleigh Chopper is a design icon that defined an era, ruling as the supremely desirable bike until the advent of the BMX.



So I'm raising a virtual glass and a virtual front wheel, to you Alan, and to all those children who were never born, thanks to the placement of that gear-lever.

4 comments:

Keeping Stock said...

Well spotted JS. I was into my mid-teen years by the time that the 1970's rolled around so the Raleigh Chopper never graced my shed; I was into motorcycles by then. But I remember them well.

PM of NZ said...

Slightly after my time was the chopper, but in a similar vein, I well remember the poor mans derailleur gearing, the 3-speed Sturmey-Archer nut cruncher gear set which often slipped under load.

IHStewart said...

" We've had some RIPs for some, frankly rubbish, former pop stars recently, making global headlines out of all proportion to their talent and legacy."

Ouch.

Villiority is the word your looking for by the way.

http://homepaddock.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/word-of-the-day-601/#comments

James Stephenson said...

Thanks IH, is that the pop stars or my commentary you're referring to?

Inspired by this piece:

http://www.newsbiscuit.com/2012/05/21/paul-gambaccini-sick-to-death-of-saying-nice-things-about-dead-pop-singers/