Phil Cross: Gypsy Joker to a Hells Angel

by Phil Cross, Meg Cross

"Phil's new book Gypsy Joker To A Hells Angel is based on 44 years as a Hells Angel. Photos & stories are a must read for all motorcycle riders" - Sonny Barger In the early 1960s, a young Navy vet, motorcyclist, amateur photographer, and rebel named Phil Cross joined a motorcycle club called the Hells Angels. It turned out to be a bogus chapter of the club that would soon find infamy, so he switched to another club called the Night Riders. Like the bogus chapter of the Hells Angels, this turned out to be a club whose brotherhood was run by a man Mr. Cross describes as “a complete asshole.” One day, Mr. Cross stuffed the leader in a ringer-type washing machine and joined a club called the Gypsy Jokers. He started a San Jose chapter of the Jokers and embarked on the most action-packed years of his life. The Jokers were in the midst of a shooting war with the real Hells Angels. The fighting became so intense that the Jokers posted snipers atop their clubhouse. This was a rough time, but it was also the height of the free-love hippie era, and as a young man, Phil enjoyed himself to the fullest. He never let anything as minor as a little jail time stop his fun. Once, while serving time for fighting and fleeing an officer, Phil broke out of jail, entered his bike in a bike show, won the bike show, and broke back into jail before anyone discovered he was missing. Though Phil was tough—he was a certififed martial arts instructor—the Angels proved a tough foe. After multiple beating-induced emergency room visits, Mr. Cross decided that if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, so he and most of his club brothers patched over to become the San Jose chapter of the Hells Angels. This book chronicles the life and wild times of Mr. Cross in words and photos.

Genres: Nonfiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Holly Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Story Telling and a Fascinating Life!

I could not put this book down once I started reading it. Phil does an amazing job of transforming the life he lives into words that make you feel like you know him, and I would say to those who do know him they are very lucky to be in the company of such a man! His story was exciting and told of a life I can only dream of. I never felt he lied or made anything up as I have found in other books. He's brutally honest about everything and he has such an optimistic outlook on life that can probably have something to do with his wonderful wife, Meg. You can feel the live he has for her every time he writes about her. They seem to be truly meant for one another and I think in this day and age that's hard to find. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good story and incredible people. Thanks for Sharing!!

[Storter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

This is a great book. The life that this guy has lived is amazing to say the least. The people that he's met and the places and things he's seen are insane. It's also well written which isn't always the case with biker written books.

[Silvie Orlando-ferdinand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical account of his life.My family was raised to do things the way they felt was right. Loved the stories and enjoyed the ride!

[Stephanie Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light

Not incredibly deep or thought provoking but attractive in its perceived honesty. A light,enjoyable read that gives a glimpse into the life of a Hells Angel.

[Dameon Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teemed With Excitement!!!

A whole lot of commotion!!! If you want to hear about a life that has seen it's fair share of trouble. This is the place! While I wish he talked more about the feeling of just traveling with friends he sure enough told me enough to get a smile or two from the chaos that comes along with the being part of organization that truly tries to live "free" and by their own rules. If they need to fight they are going throw, club and smash. If they need some extra cash they might just do it. And they are going to drive and drive. Can't wait to read more about "outlaws" and this was an exciting start! Also, the girl that he finds and everything that follows is very very heart touching.

[Aaron rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

Very enjoyable book, sounds like an interesting life, would like to have known a bit more about how they patched over from the gypsy jokers

[Greg Slavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

This was a great book with lots of excellent stories. I really enjoyed reading about Phil's exploits and adventures. A+++

[Jennifer L Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing

If you want the right kind of view of what a bikers life is about , then you have to read this b

[Deborah Hagler Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this book, after visiting the Tabott Motorcycle Museum in Carmel Valley, CA., and seeing the beautiful bike that Cross had donated. Cross doesn't give much information about why he started out in the biker lifestyle, but this really isn't an introspective memoir; it's more anecdotal accounts of Phil's life as a biker, his membership in two clubs, his many wrecks (only a few described), run-ins with the law, imprisonment, buddies, hanging out with celebrities like Willie Nelson and John Belushi, and the numerous fights he engaged in. He dedicates some ink in the book to his wife, though it's written in the least romantic way that one can write. Don't look for emotion here, but then he's a Hell's Angel, what was I expecting?

So, though I truly don't understand what "motorvated" Cross in his life, it was entertaining. One horrifying account about a skydiving accident made me wonder about the effect that might have had on him, but as mentioned prior, Cross doesn't reveal too much of an emotional nature. Many of the stories were of the head-shaking variety, and there was one off-putting comment-Cross' derogatory description of a fellow prisoner (woman) at Terminal Island, who was pregnant - which was unnecessarily cruel enough to lose a star in my review. Look, you can be a tad decent, even if you are a 1 percenter outlaw biker! Otherwise, this was a fascinating read from an interesting "F.B.I.'s Most Wanted" character.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not about bikers.

This book makes me think of an old friend who came by to visit and stayed too long. It became something of a chore to finish. Mr Cross has had an interesting life. Unfortunately, he talks little about actually being in either motorcycle club. He talks of his world travels, his properties, his surgeries but again very little of the MC lifestyle. This book also tends to jump around. Don't get me wrong, it's not a horrible read, it's just not going to be what most people hope for.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book for what it leaves out. You can google to find out why Phil Cross was on the FBI's most wanted list. Also he spent significant time on the run, and you might be wondering where the money for that came from.

Some interesting stories but again demonstrates the deadly embrace between the 1% culture of the 60s and 70s and the celebrity culture in California. I'm glad I read it, but it's not a re-read like Hell's Angel or Unknown Mongol, which are classic books about classic men.

[Shayne Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe not everyone's cup of beer but I enjoyed Phil's story.
A few good yarns and a heap of old pictures randomly distributed made it hard to put down.

[Jim McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, interesting book

[Think-On-It]

If you'd like to know what I thought of this book, please contact me directly and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.

All the best,

- TB