Crazy Man Crazy: Teds versus Punks and other gang wars

Smith, Noel Razor

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1910978035 ISBN 13: 9781910978030

Publisher: Rocket 88, 2016

Not everyone was a Punk in 1976. In fact, most young people danced to a different beat and wore their hair in entirely different ways. Noel Smith was a 16 year old Teddy Boy who bought his first drape suit and styled his hair into a quiff just as the long hot summer began. By the time the heatwave ended, he'd become the leader of a gang of South London rockabilly rebels and led them into battle with all manner of other street gangs – including Punks, Skins, Smoothies and bikers. 

This is the sharpest and truest telling of London’s gang wars fought between 1976 and 1982 that’s ever been written. Drawing on a cast of hugely memorable characters Noel tells the shockingly violent and sometimes hilarious story of what life was like for he and his gang of Balham Wildkatz. The clothes, the music, the pubs and parties of those far from golden years are all recalled in vivid and engrossing detail. 

It’s all crazy man, crazy.

From the Back Cover:

In 1976 Noel 'Razor' Smith became a Teddy Boy and formed a gang called the Balham Wildkatz. Soon they became rockabillies and blazed their way through South London's pubs and clubs, becoming one of London's most feared youth gangs. Even in borstal. 'Many of my old friends were to join me in incarceration for a while, including Bopper Hogan from Battersea, Stud from Shepherds Bush, The Duke of Earl, a huge Teddy boy who used to work behind the bar at The George pub in Hammersmith, Johnny Virgo from Brixton and Gene Vincent Steve from Putney, all jailed for fighting punks and skinheads.' Here is the sharpest and truest telling of London's gang wars of the time. Drawing on a cast of hugely memorable characters, Noel tells the shockingly violent and sometimes hilarious story of their lives. The clothes, music, pubs, parties and fights of those far from golden years are all recalled in vivid and engrossing detail. It's all crazy man, crazy.

About the Author:

Noel Smith was born in South London in 1960. He has 58 criminal convictions and has spent the greater portion of his adult life in prison. While in prison he taught himself to read and write, gained an Honours Diploma from the London School of Journalism and an A-Level in Law. Author of four books, he has been awarded a number of Koestler awards for his writing and has written for numerous major publications. He left prison for good in 2010 and is the Editor at Inside Time magazine.