Quadrophenia-inspired "mods" roamed the streets of Kitsilano in the '80s

by Steve Newton on November 22nd, 2011 at 2:35 PM

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When Georgia Straight editorial administrator Doug Sarti dropped by my desk today to hand out the sig sheets for this week's paper and, as always, suggest that I somehow "enjoy" them, he caught sight of the new Quadrophenia boxed set that I've been showing off and did a double-take. Turns out he's one of those music fans who would agree with my assertion that it's the world's greatest rock album.

But not only did Sarti love the music that the Who created on that 1973 masterpiece, at one point he and his teenaged buddies would emulate the style of the mid-'60s British youths--the "mods" that Pete Townshend sang about--by wearing military-style fishtail parkas and three-button suits, and riding around Kits on scooters tricked out with way too many mirrors.

Sarti didn't actually own a GS scooter like Townshend's alter-ego Jimmy did in Quadrophenia—having to settle instead for a '74 Vespa Primavera—but, as you can see from the above photo, he definitely had his hair cut neat.

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Comments

8 Comments

balls

Nov 22, 2011 at 7:05pm

Growing up in western New York in the late '70s and '80s I knew nothing of the mods and rockers in England. However, Quadrophenia spoke to me like nothing else in my life. I can't just listen to one song, I have to commit to listening to the entire album. Doug is correct - it is the greatest album.

Quadrophenic

Nov 22, 2011 at 8:53pm

The scooter fun of the mod 60s gets re-enacted at scooter rallies everywhere... it never died.

Pat Crowe

Nov 22, 2011 at 11:33pm

I remember those wannabe's. And how can you call that the greatest record! It's a good one.
But, on a desert isle. Given a choice of only ONE double record.
I'd choose. Let me say FUUUCK YOU first.
Pink Floyd. Ummagumma.

Steve Newton

Nov 23, 2011 at 12:59am

Ummawhatta? You gotta be kiddin' Crowe-daddy.

Pat Crowe

Nov 23, 2011 at 9:47am

Just stirrin the pot, Steve.
I always went after the hardest fights.
Didn't always win, but I can take a pretty good punch.
Ask Charlie.

Vespa

Nov 23, 2011 at 10:45pm

Although I was never out on my own scoot until years later .. I took great pride wearing a BF's Fishtail Parka the Modette wear , hanging out in the same places with the likes of some of the Boys above and dancing to the very beats from such a great LP ... not to mention the countless times of seeing the movie and then eventually owning it in my private nostalgic collection .. Ahhh ... those were the days ... :D

Jim Chisholm

Nov 24, 2011 at 1:55am

Yeah Steve, this is one that should be on my list. The Quad show in 96 was a super show that brought tears to my eyes. I wonder who's trampin' the streets of Kits now?