Great Photos of New Jersey Bikers in the 1980s and 90s

“Since the start people always asked me, ‘How did you get that name Pulsating Paula?’ I always change the answer a bit…”

– Pulsating Paula, New Jersey Bikers in the 1980s

 

 

So you want to know how Paula Grimaldi Reardon (October 17, 1954 – December 3, 2019) came to be known as Pulsating Paula? She never considered herself a professional photographer, but her pictures were published in dozens of biker, lifestyle and tattoo magazines. As someone who worked with her put it, Paula “had the ability to cross the 1-percenter lines and get photos of the outlaw bikers”.

 

 

So, the name Pulsating Paula?

“I non stop make your wang pulsate. My **** pulsates your member in to a milk shake….etc. But really it was these two Guys. Lung and Floyd. They always just called me that.

We were hanging out at my house when I first started to send my photos in to Biker Lifestyle. I had to write my name, address and phone number. Did you ever see how small a slide is? My married name was so long. These guys yelled that I have to use ‘Pulsating Paula’ instead of Paula Miluszewski. Lung said, I’ll become famous. Okay. Sure. A loaded girl that knew hardly anything about photography.But Jeff knew I loved it. So he bought me a Canon AE1.. it was the only brand I ever used. I agreed of course. Did you know the very first photos I sent in they used. More every month until they let me do my own spreads in It. with no doubt it was that name. The photos with my other name would have been thrown away..

 

 

We featured Paula’s work a while back. And now we once again dip into her incredible archive of bikers, beers, go-go dancers, big hair, short shorts and a slice of life in 1980s New Jersey…

 

 

“People tend to think that most of the photos I took were B&W. But I took just as many color slides. They just kept them. I have all my B&W negatives. Later in years I started taking 2 photos of a good shot. Hey, back then you couldn’t keep taking them. They came 12, 24 and 36 to a roll. I use to use only 10 to 12 rolls at a weekend bash. Then I developed them in my darkroom (except the slides).”

– Pulsating Paula

 

 

 

“Lenny Dwain’s tattoo shop. He had some great parties in this beautiful town of Port Murray, NJ. .My husband said we first met here in the early 80’s before he went to the joint. Introduced by Art who was trying to get his friend laid. Thanks again Arther. I kind of remember the short conversation. Then turned away and into the future we went. We met again about 15 years later.”

– Pulsating Paula