Ten Rockin' Rockabilly Retro Tattoos/Tattoo Ideas: Nautical, Sailor Jerry, Sci-fi, Iconic, and Pin-up Tattoos
1st Set of Rockabilly Tattoos: Sailor Jerry
One particular style of tattoo that is quite popular and beloved by rockabillies is the Sailor Jerry Tattoo. Sailor Jerry tattoos have become a rockabilly style due to one legendary tattoo artist...Norman Keith Collins or "Sailor Jerry". Sailor Jerry lived and worked much of his life in Hawaii and his tattoo legacy was passed down to two proteges - Ed Hardy and Rollo Banks.
The typical Sailor Jerry tattoos usually depict snakes, booze bottles, cards, swallows, weapons, nautical stars, eagles, large cats, and the "aloha monkey". The style is very distinct and can be recognized on many rockabilly sleeves. Check out my two favorites to the right. If you find the right tattoo artist, who is well-schooled in the Sailor Jerry style, you could probably ask for almost any design or picture to be turned into this old-school, rockin' rockabilly style. Just remember to have the rockabilly attitude to match...bad-ass!
Pin-up Tattoos
Another great type of rockabilly tattoo to mark up a bod is the pin-up girl. Pin-up girls were made popular in the 1940s, during World War II by the lonely American soldiers. Pictures of curvaceous models were "pinned-up" on the walls of their rooms or platoons, hence the name "pin-up". These included the infamous and iconic Bettie Page, whom has become an ubiquitous rockabilly icon.
You can find ideas for rockabilly pin-up tattoos plastered all over the internet. Check out the two tattoos posted here: the Bettie Page nurse tattoo and classic retro cheescake pin-up tattoo. Google the terms "retro pin-up model" and see what you can come up with or choose your favorite pin-up girl, she could be a modern model such as Masuimi Max or a retro model such as Marilyn Monroe. Just make sure she's hott!
Nautical Rockabilly Tattoos
What rockabilly man would feel right without at least one nautical tattoo enveloping an arm or shoulder blade? I know as a woman I feel the need to have aquatic tattoos plastered all over me! Especially if you are a lover of the water, these rockabilly style tattoos could have special meaning to you. The cool thing about nautical tattoos is that you can find them in different styles, such as the Sailor Jerry nautical tattoo here or the more modern-looking octopus aquatic sleeve below it.
Another idea - get the sub from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as a half-sleeve and add to the tattoo with a monster squid! The nautical possibilities are endless...pirate ships, nautical stars, pirates, treasure chests, and maps...whatever your sea-lovin' heart desires...get it tattoo-ed!
Sci-fi & Pulp Fiction Rockabilly Tattoos
Some of my favorite rockabilly tatts include the Sci-fi and old school Pulp Fiction tattoos. When I say pulp fiction, I am not necessarily talking about the movie starring John Travolta...I'm referring to the old school horror flicks, such as the Creature from the Black Lagoon or The Blob or Nosferatu. More specifically it is the psychobilly folks that you will see rockin' the tattoos with zombie Marilyn Monroes and Elvira, Queen of the Night.
These are just a few of the hip ideas out there for Sci-fi and pulp fiction tattoos. I've seen everything from Star Wars to Jack Nicholson's infamous "Here's Johnny" face from The Shining. Dead Johnny Cash faces and Dracula's image...the wolfman and Frankenstein.
Rockabilly Icon Tattoos
Last but surely not least, classic and modern rockabilly icons can make for a rockin' tattoo. Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash are two of the most popular and beloved rockabilly icons of all time. And tattoos of these rock stars can be done in many different ways and on different parts of the body. Get a whole back spread of Elvis in different poses or put Johnny Cash's face on the inside of your bicep.
Make sure it is a rockabilly icon that is someone you have considered as an inspiration. Some psychobilly folks might like to have a tattoo of the Nekromantix or the Horrorpops. Again, your rockabilly icons do not have to be musical stars...don't forget James Dean and Judy Garland.
More Rockabilly Hubs
Enjoyed reading and view your photos. Loved the old school retro Sailor Jerry tats. Thanks for reminding me of the beautiful art of tatoos.
hey bb! glad to see your face again! i love the idea of jules verne...his face actually pops up as a screen saver on my kindle every once in awhile! i really like the robot woman idea...get a tattoo of some sort of person or symbol that represents what you like. i made a mistake as a young'un and got two gothic tattoos...a spider and a large bat. as much as i love the gothic style and life, i am sort of grown out of it now and the tattoos don't fully represent my life now. i might end up getting my black widow covered up by my favorite flower...a sunflower and have my daughter's name in one of the petals. anyway, glad you enjoyed it and let me know which tattoo you decide upon! :)
GPSWorldTraveler - thanks for commenting. i love the sailor jerry style tattoos the most! old school tatts just seem timeless and gorgeous too.
Very interesting hub. I like little dainty tattoos in obscure places, but I must admit the pin-up girl is quite cute.
up/useful
hello again, fay! i agree..little tattoos are definitely cute but i love tattoos in general! pin-up tattoos are some of my faves.
thanks for your awesome support!
Loved your hub Kitty! I don't have a single tattoo, I'm not against them, my son has several, my niece is walking art, but I just never found any picture that I loved enough to want to see forever on me! That and there's the whole weight fluctuation thing, I wouldn't want my pin up sagging lol! I didn't realize that Ed Hardy was a Sailor Jerry protoge! Thanks for the great read.
Hey, Susiebrown! By your picture it does NOT look like you need to worry about your weight in the least! You're a beautiful lady and if you want a tattoo you should get one! Yes, I found the Ed Hardy fact interesting...and you gotta love the Sailor Jerry style of tattoos! Thanks for stopping by. :)
Well.All tattoo designs are beautiful
Fashion - thanks so much for following!
Kitty, I just learned last night that you can actually have tattoo's in the whites of your eyes. There are only six people in the world who are trusted to do them safely.
I had one regular tattoo but it disappeared. Never have tried another. Most of the people I associate with have them. One of the women I know had one done in her sixties.
wheelinallover - I actually saw someone with a tattoo on their entire tongue, too! How crazy is that? I don't see the point in getting the whites of eyes tattooed really...but hey, whatever floats one's boat, right? Thanks for stopping by again. :)
If I had my eyes tattooed it would have to be all white. LOL the years of too little sleep have mine more red than white. I can't tell you how many years my eyes have not been able to pass the get the red out test.
Great hub I have three tattoo's and they all resemble meaningful things. Look forward to reading more. Thanks
GlstngRosePetals - That's awesome. Thanks for reading!
Really nice hub. I love the pinups. Old school is the best.
Sue86 - Thanks so much. Me too.
bbnix 12 months ago
Oh yeah, a totally "rockin'" hub. I loved it. I've been thinking about what subject matter and where for my first tattoo, seriously, and I want it to be way cool...
You've given me a wonderful amount of info here.
I too love the water (I'm 10 minutes from the water here in San Diego) and can't get enough of it, and of course, I'm crazy about literature, so something like Jules Verne would fantastic.
But of course, a beautiful pin-up would be over the top. Nothing is as enigmatic as you women...=P
Say, maybe the robot woman from "Metropolis" - that would be intense, or something dark, like a fallen angel or a vampire.. Ha ha... way cool!!!
But again, I'm not sure where. What's your opinion about that for my first tattoos?
Anyway, your hub is way prudent for me, and speaking of enigmatic, you are quite the varied subject matter writer, aren't you. Luv it!!
Your awesome!!!
Much luv,
See ya'...
bb..