Long before YouTubers embarked on crazy stunts for likes and views, Evel Knievel defined what it really meant to be a daredevil. From his early days at the rodeo and on the ski slopes, the legendary entertainer pushed the limits of what man — and motorcycle — could do, jumping over pick-up trucks, 14 Greyhound buses, and even the fountain in front of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.
From spectacular stunts to a collaboration with skateboarder Tony Hawk, here are 21 high-flying old-school pics of America's one and only daredevil, Evel Knievel.
1
“Evel Knievel before jumping 14 buses (Kings Island 1975).”
3
“Daredevil Evel Knievel Crashes at Wembley Stadium - London, England, UK - May 26, 1975.”
4
“Evel Knievel jumps over 19 Dodge vehicles at Ontario Motor Speedway ‘71.”
5
“Evel Knievel parachutes down in a rocket after an ill-fated attempt to soar across the Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho, on September 8, 1974.”
6
“Evel Knievel, a former movie stuntman, jumps his cycle between two ramps a hundred feet apart, to open a Sports Cycle Exhibition at the Civic Center, November 23, 1967, San Francisco, California.”
7
“Evel Knievel crashing through a wall of fire– Butte, Montana, 1966.”
8
“Evil Knievel in bed with his gun and diamond encrusted walking cane full of Wild Turkey. c1960.”
9
“Evel Knievel jumps Caesar's Palace fountain 1967.”
10
“Evel Knievel looking dapper, 1960’s.”
11
“Tony Hawk skitching with Evel Knievel, 1990’s.”
12
“1970’s old school Fetch for kids with no friends.”
13
“Evel Knievel early 1970s ‘I am the last gladiator in the new Rome. I go into the arena and I compete against destruction and I win. And next week, I go out there and I do it again.’”
14
“We all wanted to be Evel Knievel in the 70’s.”
15
Evel Knievel stands atop his steam-powered rocket, the Skycycle X-2.
16
“Evel Knievel at Home in St. Petersburg, FL in the '70's weighing his options.”
17
“Evel Knievel jumps over 13 buses, but fails to land successfully, breaking his pelvis (1975).”
18
“Daredevil Evel Knievel at the open-air Canadian national exhibition stadium in Toronto, August 20, 1974.”
19
Several kids dress as Evel Knievel for halloween, circa 1980.
21
“Professional daredevil Evel Knievel in the 70s.”
