Danny Lyon, whose work served as the basis of The Bikeriders, enjoyed a long career beyond the events of the film. After spending several years traveling with and photographing the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, Lyon’s original work was published in a 1968 photo book titled The Bikeriders. As an artist, Lyon is known for immersing himself in his subject, even becoming a full Outlaw member from 1966-1967. His photography and recorded interviews during this time helped inform the acting of The Bikeriders’ cast and the production team’s greater understanding of The Bikeriders’ cultural context.

Lyon’s influence on The Bikeriders film is evident. He even appears as a character, played by Mike Faist, who self-referentially gathers material on the biker subculture in 1960s Chicago. The Bikeriders’ post-credit photos showcase some of Lyon’s work, using real photographs from his original publication. This homage allows audiences to see how faithful some movie scenes are in recreating and honoring Lyon’s original work. Though The Bikeriders is the most famous of Lyon’s collections, it’s worth noting that he had a prosperous career after the publication of the film’s namesake.

Danny Lyon Made Many More Books After The Bikeriders

The Bikeriders Was Just The Start Of Lyon’s Decades-Long Career

Lyon produced several other books after The Bikeriders. His subsequent work, Conversations With The Dead, showcased the life of inmates in Texas prisons. As with his immersion in The Bikeriders, Lyon spent multiple years observing and photographing prisoners for the project. Much of Lyon’s work revolves around socioeconomic issues and institutionalized oppression. Lyon’s other projects include an exploration of the construction of Manhattan and images of the Civil Rights Movement, with which Lyon was deeply involved. Throughout his career, Lyon also produced several semi-narrative short films, including Social Services 127, Los Niños Abandonados, and Little Boy.

Danny Lyon Became An Award-Winning Photojournalist

Lyon’s Work Can Be Found In Many Famous Museums

Lyon gained distinctions for his documentary work, earning several important photography awards. Just after the publication of The Bikeriders, Lyon was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in photography in 1969 and received a second fellowship in 1978. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from The Art Institute of Boston in 1995. In 2022, Lyon was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. His work is part of the permanent collections of multiple prominent institutions, such as the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Smithsonian Institute.

Inspired by his work in Middle America, Lyon built a house in New Mexico, where he’s lived since 1970. Lyon continues to work, with his new book This is My Life I’m Talking About releasing in 2024. While The Bikeriders might be the first of his works adapted to film, many of his other publications share similar themes and messaging. If The Bikeriders is as successful as initial reviews suggest, there might be potential for Lyon’s later work to be adapted to film as well. As an influential figure in literature, film, and photography, Lyon’s legacy promises enduring relevance in visual storytelling.