Mark 'Chopper' Read grew up in the Melbourne suburbs of Thomastown, Preston and Collingwood, became a ward of the state by age 14, and the leader of the Surrey Road gang in his mid-teens. During the 1970s and 1980s Read spent 18 years in Pentridge Prison, Melbourne, for various offences including armed robbery, assault and kidnapping. In total he has spent 23 years in gaol.
Read has written a series of 'factional' books based on his experiences, and the film Chopper (2000) depicts some aspects of his life, although Read himself has stated on numerous occasions that he would 'never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn.' A book of his quotations, Chopper's Wisdom (2005) has also been published in the UK.
Read has also performed on stage, in 2005 touring Australia with his series of shows, I'm Innocent, co-starring Mark 'Jacko' Jackson, and later performing a stage show in Sydney with former Detective Roger 'The Dodger' Rogerson. Read has also released a rap music album, Interview with a Madman (2006).
Read's website provides further details of his life.
Source: Mark Brandon Chopper Read website, www.chopperread.com (Sighted: 16/08/2006)
