Lou Kimzey
Encyclopedia
Lou Kimzey (1928 - 1997) was founder and publisher of Easyriders
, a biker
magazine.
Lou was a biker himself. He was CEO of Paisano Publication, as well as the Editorial Director of several published monthly magazines and periodicals including: Easyriders, Iron Horse, Biker, In The Wind (quarterly), Tattoo (quarterly), a one-shot magazine called Motorcycle Women, Yesterdaze (book), Earlyriders (book), anniversary issues, annual calendars and various Easyriders paperbacks. Lou also started companies that sold bike modification parts, biker products, and biker lifestyle paraphernalia.
Along with Keith Ball, Lou Kimzey created A.B.A.T.E. At that time it was an acronym for “A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments.” It is now known as American Bikers Aimed Toward Education. A.B.A.T.E. advocated fight for biker’s rights.
In the 1960’s Lou started Magazine Publishing Services and later the Kimtex Corporation. These two publishing houses created the following successful magazines: Cavalier, Teenville, Teenset, Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Belt, Drag Racing, Modern Rod, Paper Bag, Car Toons, Drag Toons and a one-shot magazine on the 1965 Watts riots, Anarchy Los Angeles.
During the 1950’s Teenage Publications, another publishing company of Lou Kimzey’s, produced publications such as DIG, which was America’s first general interest magazine for teens. In addition to DIG, Lou created and published Modern Teen
magazine, Elvis Presley (a one-shot magazine), and various paperbacks. During the late 1950’s due to the teen-sensation of DIG magazine, Lou was asked to co-write the cult classic movie called The Hot Rod Gang, and he co-produced Hot Rods to Hell and High School Hellcats.
In Lou’s early career he was the Art Director and Production Manager of Rod and Custom, Motor Life, and Road & Track magazines and also the Editorial Director of Hop Up magazine.
Lou will be inducted into the Stugis Hall of Fame in August 2009
Easyriders
Easyriders is an American motorcycle magazine, founded in 1971. It is published monthly by Paisano Publications, LLC.In addition to its coverage of motorcycles and related activities, Easyriders is also known for including pictures of nude or topless women and paintings by David Mann who was a...
, a biker
Motorcycling
Motorcycling is the act of riding a motorcycle. A variety of subcultures and lifestyles have been built up around motorcycling.-Benefits:Robert M. Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a paean celebrating motorcycling...
magazine.
History
In the early 1970’s, after his post as Creative Director of Big Bike magazine, Kimzey was the creator and publisher of the gritty biker magazine Easyriders, the first lifestyle biker magazine on the market. Easyriders became a world sensation, the largest selling newsstand motorcycle magazine in the world with a circulation of over 550,000 copies.Lou was a biker himself. He was CEO of Paisano Publication, as well as the Editorial Director of several published monthly magazines and periodicals including: Easyriders, Iron Horse, Biker, In The Wind (quarterly), Tattoo (quarterly), a one-shot magazine called Motorcycle Women, Yesterdaze (book), Earlyriders (book), anniversary issues, annual calendars and various Easyriders paperbacks. Lou also started companies that sold bike modification parts, biker products, and biker lifestyle paraphernalia.
Along with Keith Ball, Lou Kimzey created A.B.A.T.E. At that time it was an acronym for “A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments.” It is now known as American Bikers Aimed Toward Education. A.B.A.T.E. advocated fight for biker’s rights.
In the 1960’s Lou started Magazine Publishing Services and later the Kimtex Corporation. These two publishing houses created the following successful magazines: Cavalier, Teenville, Teenset, Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Belt, Drag Racing, Modern Rod, Paper Bag, Car Toons, Drag Toons and a one-shot magazine on the 1965 Watts riots, Anarchy Los Angeles.
During the 1950’s Teenage Publications, another publishing company of Lou Kimzey’s, produced publications such as DIG, which was America’s first general interest magazine for teens. In addition to DIG, Lou created and published Modern Teen
Modern Teen
-History:Modern Teen, published circa 1957-1965, was one of the first magazines aimed at a teenage audience. Covers often featured popular musicians and actors such as Elvis Presley and Sandra Dee...
magazine, Elvis Presley (a one-shot magazine), and various paperbacks. During the late 1950’s due to the teen-sensation of DIG magazine, Lou was asked to co-write the cult classic movie called The Hot Rod Gang, and he co-produced Hot Rods to Hell and High School Hellcats.
In Lou’s early career he was the Art Director and Production Manager of Rod and Custom, Motor Life, and Road & Track magazines and also the Editorial Director of Hop Up magazine.
Lou will be inducted into the Stugis Hall of Fame in August 2009