Ed “Big Daddy” Roth was the innovative genius behind his custom cars and a large part in Kustom Kulture. His own designs were founded based off of his love for hot rods. He was a legend in his own right due to his hot rodding experience. Roth used to create custom hot rods and was known as an artist amongst the community. He owned a studio where he birthed his creations some of which included Rat Fink, Rotar and Beatnik Bandit.
Big Daddy became the mad scientist of hot-roddin’ and financed his creations through selling drawings of his characters at car shows and events. His monsters and cars adorned many t-shirts and became a staple of the business with people who were willing to line up for hours just to own one of his creations.
Why Kustom Kulture?
One of “Big Daddy’s” great loves was Kustom Kulture. It was the epitome of all the artworks, hairstyles, vehicles and the fashion of the people who were inspired to build custom cars and motorcycles in the United States. This movement took place from the 1950′s all the way until today.
Throughout history many styles and fashions came out of the early days of hot-roddin’. People who love Kustom Kulture have reshaped the distinct styles over time. There have been many people over the years who have made Kustom Kulture what it is today. They include Dean Jefferies and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth himself who built custom cars as well as artists such as Von Dutch, and the Barris Brothers, who built custom low-riders.
Major Tie-Ins to Pop Culture
Additionally, many tattoo artists, automobile painters and even such TV shows, such as The Monkees, American Graffiti, Happy Days and the Munsters, have all inspired the culture that is Kustom Kulture.
When people think of the influences of Kustom Kulture, they often remember the drag racers of the 1960, greasers of the 1950′s and the lowriders of the 1970′s. Skinheads, mods and rockers, scooterboys, punk rockers and psychobillys are all part of a subculture that many identify with Kustom Kulture.
Exploring Unique Visions
The great things about this movement is that many different cultures have added their own flare to the fashion, music, and custom cars. They made their mark on the culture and it has stood the test of time.
Extreme influences such as Triumph Motorcycles, wild pinstriped paint jobs, monster posters, black primer paint jobs, cartoons, choptop Mecurys and even custom Harley-Davidson impact what defines Kustom Kulture.
The culture was a phenomenon through the 1990′s and 2000′s in the form of Do-It-Yourself activities. The styles are distinct and rooted in the American automobile culture. Another exciting development is that styles that were not tolerated before have now united at Kustom Kulture car shows.
Kustom Graphics is a term used to describe the influences of artwork within the subculture in the form of t-shirts, logos, fliers and posters.
Kustom Kulture was a great influence to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, and he was able to instill his passion in the culture as well as improve the culture by bringing his own art into it. His passion for custom cars helped bring Kustom Kulture a new edge.
