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In a daring practice leap, Evel Knievel soared over seven Mack trucks at Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition Stadium on August 20, 1974. This iconic moment, captured in an AP Photo/File image, remains a testament to his fearless spirit. Explore more thrilling snapshots from the world of extreme sports.Ask any man who grew up during the 1970s, and you'll likely uncover a shared memory: the Evel Knievel scar. For kids of that era, it was a symbol of pride. Between playing with Stretch Armstrong and being captivated by "Star Wars," they idolized the daredevil who burst onto the scene in 1967, leaving an indelible mark on their childhoods.
Decades before Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O turned stunts into viral YouTube content, Evel Knievel's daring feats were filling emergency rooms across the 1970s. Today, those same kids, now in offices and boardrooms, often carry the physical reminders of their youthful attempts to emulate Knievel's bravery beneath their professional attire.
Injuries from imitating Evel Knievel didn't always signify failure. Knievel himself frequently landed in the hospital after his stunts, famously describing his body as "nothing but scar tissue and surgical steel" [source: Severo]. Beyond leaving a lasting impression on a generation, Knievel reshaped popular culture. His record-breaking television stunts, which often resulted in broken bones, inspired songs, merchandise, and countless imitators. He also played a pivotal role in bringing motorcycles into the mainstream American consciousness.
While Evel Knievel is celebrated for his daring stunts and fame, his life was also marked by struggles. Years of physical abuse left lasting damage, and his personal life faced as many upheavals as his professional career. In many ways, Knievel lived as recklessly off the stage as he did on it.
Evel Knievel's legacy extends far beyond vintage lunchboxes or nostalgic mentions on shows like VH1's "I Love the 70s." Dive deeper to uncover the full story of his life, his challenges, and his death-defying feats.
Evel Knievel: Early Life
On August 20, 1974, Evel Knievel, the legendary daredevil motorcyclist, was photographed at Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition Stadium. This iconic moment, captured in an AP Photo/File image, remains a symbol of his fearless persona.Born as Robert Craig Knievel in 1938, Evel Knievel was raised by his grandparents in Butte, Montana. His parents separated early in his life, leaving him with minimal contact and shaping his independent spirit.
In numerous interviews, Knievel revealed that he earned the nickname "Evil Knievel" from local police after being arrested for hubcap theft in his youth. He later legally altered his name to Evel, replacing the "i" with an "e" because he believed it had a better appearance [source: Severo].
Knievel's early encounters with law enforcement highlighted his daredevil tendencies, though not always constructively. At just 13, he allegedly stole his first Harley-Davidson motorcycle, inspired by Joie Chitwood, a famed stunt-car driver. Despite his rebellious streak, Knievel excelled as a high school athlete and played both professional and semi-professional hockey. In the 1950s, he joined the army as a paratrooper, completing over 30 jumps.
Knievel's professional daredevil career began while managing a motorcycle shop in Washington state. To draw customers, he started performing motorcycle jumps. His inaugural jump covered 40 feet (12.2 meters) over parked cars, but he fell short, landing near a box of rattlesnakes and a tethered mountain lion. This stunt led him to form a troupe of motorcycle stuntmen, touring the western U.S. before pursuing solo ventures. His first major solo attempt was a planned jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev.
On New Year's Eve, 1967, Knievel prepared to leap in front of 15,000 spectators at Caesars Palace. The challenge was to clear 151 feet (46 meters). Revving his engine, he uttered his usual prayer: "God, take care of me. Here I come…" before launching himself and his motorcycle into the air.
Evel Knievel: Early Career
Evel Knievel waves to the crowd as he is lowered into his rocket before his highly publicized but unsuccessful attempt to leap across Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho, on September 8, 1974. This moment, captured in an AP Photo, remains iconic.Knievel catapulted into the public spotlight on New Year's Eve, 1967, with his daring jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. However, the stunt also led to a series of unfortunate events that day.
Although Knievel successfully cleared the 151-foot (46-meter) fountains at Caesars Palace, his landing went awry. He was thrown over the handlebars, sliding 165 feet (50.3 meters) on concrete before finally stopping. The accident left him with a fractured skull, pelvis, and ribs. He remained in a coma for nearly a month, and the incident was witnessed by millions on television.
Despite the technical failure of the jump, Knievel's popularity soared. The crash earned him a massive fanbase and frequent spots on ABC's Wide World of Sports. From 1973 to 1976, he appeared on the show seven times, leaping over obstacles ranging from wrecked cars to double-decker buses. His stunts became some of the most-watched episodes in the program's history.
In 1974, Knievel was offered $6 million to attempt a jump over Snake River Canyon in Idaho. To clear the 1,600-foot (487.7-meter) gap, he used a custom-built rocket-powered motorcycle called the "Skycycle." While the launch went smoothly, the parachute deployed prematurely, causing the vehicle to drift down into the canyon.
Knievel's next stunt, though unsuccessful, became one of the most iconic moments of his career. At London's Wembley Stadium, he attempted to leap over 13 buses in front of 70,000 spectators. Riding his Harley-Davidson at 90 miles per hour (144.8 kilometers per hour), he barely cleared the 13th bus but failed to land smoothly. What stunned fans most wasn't the daring jump or the brutal crash—it was Knievel's words moments after the impact.
What could possibly be on the daredevil's mind just minutes after a crash that left him with a shattered hand, pelvis, and compressed vertebrae?
Evel Knievel: Daredevil's Heyday
Evel Knievel is seen approaching the landing ramp on his motorcycle during his failed attempt to jump over 13 buses in London, England, on May 25, 1975. This historic moment was captured in an AP Photo.A crowd of 70,000 at London's Wembley Stadium, along with millions watching on ABC's Wide World of Sports, witnessed Evel Knievel's attempt to jump 13 buses. The stunt ended in a crash, with Knievel sliding across the stadium floor as his Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided with him. Despite his injuries, he insisted on walking out of the arena and requested a microphone to address the audience.
Despite his injuries, Knievel addressed the crowd, declaring, "You are the last people in the world who will ever see me jump. I will never, ever, ever, ever jump again. I am through" [source: Laracy]. Then, defying his severe condition, he walked out of the stadium on his own.
True to his unpredictable nature, Knievel's words didn't hold. Just five months later, he successfully leaped over 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island Amusement Park in Ohio. This jump became the highest-rated broadcast in the history of ABC's Wide World of Sports.
As Knievel and his motorcycle soared, so did his fame. He claimed that Evel Knievel-themed toys generated over $300 million in revenue. Two films were made about his life, and he even starred as himself in another. Out of his seven jumps featured on ABC's Wide World of Sports, five were triumphs.
However, his career took a heavy toll on his body. Knievel reportedly fractured more than 40 bones in his lifetime. In 1977, he was convicted of assaulting his former press agent and served six months in jail. Poor financial decisions led to the loss of much of his fortune. By 1980, health issues forced him to retire from stunts, though he continued making appearances and supported his son Robbie Knievel, who followed in his footsteps. Knievel also battled personal demons, including heavy drinking, hepatitis C, and a liver transplant in 1999.
Evel Knievel: The Legacy
On November 30, 2007, Evel Knievel, the man who had cheated death by leaping over canyons, buses, and shark tanks, finally succumbed to it. At 69, he passed away after struggling with diabetes, a terminal lung condition, and the physical toll of his high-impact career. He left behind four children, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Knievel's influence extends far beyond his family. His legacy has been referenced in popular culture, from "The Simpsons" to a Kanye West music video. MTV's "Jackass" owes its existence to Knievel's brand of spectacle, as well as the understanding he popularized: some viewers watch stunts for success, while others tune in for the potential failure.
In 2005, Ideal Toys reintroduced the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle, giving adults who grew up reenacting his stunts a chance to share the experience with their children. Knievel's iconic 1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750 is now exhibited at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Often referred to as "The Father of the X Games," Knievel's legacy is celebrated annually at Evel Knievel Days in Butte, Mont., where daring motorcycle stunts honor his memory.
For those who grew up in the 1970s, Evel Knievel's impact is etched not just in memory but also in the scars on their elbows and knees. They can still recall the thrill of attempting to soar through the air like their hero, even if their landings didn't quite measure up.
To explore more about Evel Knievel and other daredevil-related topics, leap to the next page.
Following in his father's footsteps, Robbie Knievel has carved out a career as a motorcycle daredevil. To date, he has successfully replicated nearly all of Evel Knievel's stunts, with the exceptions of the Wembley Stadium jump and the Snake River Canyon leap [source: McMillan].
