Loveletters Season 9: Tony Hawk | Jeff Grosso's Loveletters to Skateboarding | VANS

Grosso sits down with Tony Hawk for a conversation that spans their almost 40 years of skateboarding and friendship.
Music:
“Poo Too” by Oneness of Juju
“Somos Nada” Nils Jazz Ensemble
“Big Band Thursdays” Connie Price and The Keystones
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Loveletters Season 9: Tony Hawk | Jeff Grosso's Loveletters to Skateboarding | VANS
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[@f33fifofum]

That was really touching Jeff, sometimes you forget that Tony Hawk was a skate rat like everyone else. Another great episode

[@ALLdoughVARGAS]

Super inspiring. RIP Grossman

[@robertlacko370]

This is cute, now post the unedited 2 hour version... and I'll go skate later, cause I'm currently stuck at my desk at work.

[@mackm3875]

Stuck at the desk at work while watching LOVELETTERS! HAHAHAHA!! Me too, bud.

[@dcxxx6850]

Doesn’t sound like you’re working. Money for nothing the American dream?

[@IRgEEK]

Well done Tony. Had the pleasure to meet u at El Gato classic. U really changed my way of thinking of u from the 80s to now. U were kind and respectful of the history and of me as an old timer. Forever grateful for that. This was a great post.

[@darthtortugas]

Frank Hawk is the father we should all strive to be.

[@incontruth4116]

darthtortugas in the 80’s my dad was always the guy that brought me and my friends all over the place to skate when we were kids because all my friends parents thought skateboarding was for losers. He let me build ramps in the front yard even though the neighbors hated it. He spent a weekend in jail one time for knocking out a neighbor that thought he was going to come and cut the ramp in half while we were skating it with his chainsaw. Now that I’m a dad I can fully understand that he didn’t have to do that stuff for all the kids in the neighborhood. The funny thing about it is Stacy Peralta bought a house down the street a couple years ago.

[@darthtortugas]

Sounds like your Pop was your hoods Frank, My best friends Pop was like your Pop lots of weekends spent at his place.

[@iamnotanumber100]

👏👏👏

[@jamesg1425]

Tony Hawk is a great guy, I heard stories of him really taking care of people, mad respect

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

@soberpunk why did Salba and Duane have issues with Frank Hawk?

[@joewheeler3661]

I love Tony putting it into perspective. He is so honest and well spoken

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Joe Lopes and John Lucero deserve loveletters. Another great episode!

[@IRgEEK]

Lucero on several. Search around a bit.

[@benjaminlinietsky731]

@@IRgEEK the hippies were the first to take to the air

[@CaptainFantastik1]

I was a Tony Hawk kid in the 80's. My first real board and my skate idol for many years. His video parts were always the most mind blowing.

[@tylerdurden6882]

Grosso biting his lip during the Rodney love, haha

[@Satans_Financial_Advisor]

He got real quiet huh lol

[@beemelonhead1]

@@frondantrieb what episode is that? Did I miss it or they take it down?

[@Critnit1]

@@beemelonhead1 I think it's called "The Freestyle Conspiracy"

[@ShnarfKat]

He doesnt like rodney?

[@TheMikeMase]

@@ShnarfKat as far as I can tell he didn't really deny that Rodney invented a lot of shit, I think he just had a problem with the bones brigade documentary where all those guys (and rodney in particular) were acting like they were the only ones coming up with that stuff and not giving any credit to anyone else. he thought it was super corny to just suck yourself off and be like "yup we were the greatest, we started everything" when there were tons of people before and at the same time as them who were just as important, if not more so. but I haven't ever seen him deny that rodney was important

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Good on him for giving Micke Alba props.

[@FormulatedButterCoping]

Great interview! Relaxed enough so we did not have to hear Hawk repeat the same stories. I got to take a few runs on the Lopes Ramp before. It was cool to skate that ramp knowing all of the legends that had skated it before.

[@NIRVANABLEACH2]

Tony Hawk is such a cool and relax person.

[@AKtoTok]

Love these... pieces of skateboarding history

[@forreststephens8548]

So much love and respect for Grosso

[@vinneyboombotz727]

The Great Desert ramp is shown at 11:40 time Mark. A group of us built that in quartz hill,.ca back in 81-82, was on cover and had main story about contest in Thrashed mag ,April 1982 issue.great times.Life was great back then.

[@dandelcastillo8176]

That may be the best Hawk bio that i've seen, short though it may be.

[@brianblack7913]

Man what a great video. Grosso... wish u where still here

[@goldythefactor3771]

Much love and respect to the big hommie -double O G tony hawk

[@ErinfromDenver]

Jeff, you're a fucking legend man, and I don't need to say anything about Tony Hawk. I LOVE love letters, dude. Thank you so much for keeping this thing going.

[@TheMr32hunter]

Damn this is so good, I could watch hours of them talking.

[@paulinusrubinus9881]

Radical, Tony's Indy fakie thruster was sick

[@teenagecaveman881]

I like the mellow vibe of this episode

[@ErwinVervaet]

Very true words from Grosse there at the end!

[@sambays5838]

Tony Hawk is the best skateboarding human beig ever thus far!

[@RyanCrase1]

Always great!! Thanks guys!!

[@RajonTV]

Love this! Thank you so much!!

[@ichi_go]

Grosso's last comment holds true for ALL professional sports. It's a KIDS game. Remember why you started pushing in the first place. Great segment.

[@delmusdugan]

F/S rock in a pool . Still one of my fav tricks

[@la9202]

Without this guy I wouldnt be skating today

[@MegaMyrow]

Tony Hawk is the most professional and most approachable skateboarding icon ever I got graced by his presence in ‘03 it was amazing the birdhouse team came too Kam in BC Canada I actually got too ride in his rental with Bucky Lasek navigating and Jeremy Klien driving it was epic and hilarious at the same time me and my friend from high school at the time gotta ride with Tony Hawk god bless

[@johndoughnut9350]

Ryan Sheckler said Birdman came and did a skate demo at a YMCA for Ryan’s birthday with an appearance fee request of: chocolate cake lol

[@simonvance8054]

Was always more of a Hosoi fan but a fan of Hawk as well... there's no need for hate in skateboarding...we all do it because it's FUN...makes me sad to think of the ridiculous bullshit Tony went through, being spat on etc...I mean what the fuck?!...that says more about those people than it ever did about Tony. I really respect what Hawk has done for skateboarding...whether you like him or not personally his contribution is immense...

[@halfpipefreak]

The end of this episode was PURE FUCKIN GOLD. These loveletters are so fucking awesome i love this shit !

[@Soul03]

Let's go Tony Hawk🔥

[@steves1588]

Thank Stacey...such a great role model

[@frontsider78]

Nerding out 👊

[@ionderland]

thxs tony

[@purplereigninblood]

Haha the Goo at the end!! Rip on lil dude!!

[@00huntr00]

Awesome Letter.. Would Read Again

[@ianclements47]

Tony doesn't get alot of credit from the raw dogs but as I age, I see his traits are way respectable. Seems just like a solid dude and bless his dad for supporting him like that. The other guys were probably jealous their dad wasn't as cool.

[@demstudios5799]

The body language in this is so interesting to watch. Tony is very much sunken in to himself , folding his hands in his lap and gross eventually mirroring his body language. I think tony is a little intimidated surprisingly. It’s so cool to see they had that authentic talk about his father and problems with that.

[@snakefinger]

LOVE.

[@JazzHandzLMT]

I could listen to Tony Hawk talk skateboarding all day...

[@mikenoface]

Joe Lopes ramp. My hometown. woot. I was too small to ride, but hanging out there was the closest we got to pros back then, until we got old enough to take BART to EMB.

[@sadhvacman7238]

Although I always wanted him to beat Christian because I was bones brigade disciple, it wasn’t cool to say you liked Tony. All the wannabes, posers and little kids had his board and loved him. But now, he’s one of my all time favorite skaters and dudes. I respect the shit out of that dude. Shit he was doing 360 shove its over curbs when other pros couldn’t even do 360 shoves.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

I always wanted Chris Miller to beat them both (I was a G&S and Schmitt Stix kid), but its nice to see that all 3 of them still rip.

[@rippedtorn2310]

Powell seemed like it was for rich kids or something .

[@SandlapperSam]

Its like How Bam Margera was in my era however Bam Margera wasnt anywhere as good as Tony Hawk I know its 2 different styles of skating but Tony definently gave a lot more to Skating where Bam was famous for acting stupid.

[@IRgEEK]

@@buckodonnghaile4309 Miller was smooth as silk. Style for f*king days.

[@appletummy666]

aww the st. pete jam

[@g90gino83]

That was dope!

[@Nebuloid1]

finally !

[@birdbraINCorporated]

Tony is rad. All his great work with Monsanto/Bayer, and so on..

[@SONOFABITCH]

Haaaa!

[@999alex9991]

hey vans a bob burnquist episode maybe?

[@DemolitionLovers905]

Bucky lasek also!

[@999alex9991]

bucky lasek episode is already on youtube

[@DemolitionLovers905]

@@999alex9991 oh shit thanks!! I didn't see that!

[@afterthought3341]

Rosso loved skateboarding 🛹🛹🛹!!!!!!!!!

[@sess845]

The Grossman starts kinda mean here but then softens. Seems that's been kinda the arc of a lot of the "punk" skaters over the decades. And OMG: that first trick of Tony's !!

[@gordolaotreza1472]

lenda viva

[@jerrymarquez642]

Today is my birthday great episode

[@ConnorHolbrook419]

if skateboarding was gonna make someone crazy super rich (he’s the richest skater ever) it couldn’t have been a better person than Tony. Especially when you look at for Tony Hawk foundation and all they’ve done.

[@snakehips3131]

Grosso Forever

[@el4174]

Love that last line by Grosso...well said

[@chrismccarver1343]

Miss ya jeff

[@DotDotDotjr]

Grosso nodding off like a junkie the whole time. Also possible: Grosso geeking out/chilling 'cause he don't have to do any heavy lifting when T. Hawk in the house. Either way: love this shit. Thanks!

[@cammezzatesta425]

we need more love letters

[@RobBassCame2GetDown]

I had no idea Tony was a Navy brat! I picked up skating and made so many friends through skating because I was a Navy brat

[@jodo1971]

Great episode. I guess Tony didn't see the episode where Grosso disses Rodney Mullen

[@lavafangs]

Lee Ralph and Gregor rankin footage!!!!

[@majesticuncasual186]

Music at 9:22 please? I searched all those listed above, however I don't feel any had this exact groovy bassline.

[@dns1235]

majestic UNcasual Song- Twist Band - Tones on tail

[@JAWS1376]

The sad thing is I can't name one current pro skater. The only skater's I know are from the 80's. Tony being a little humble when naming everyone influential, he could easily throw his name in there! man, I wish I still had my skateboards from back in the day. (Cab, McGill, Hawk, Alva/Danforth, Gator, Hosoi, Mountain)

[@hippywolf]

Do a Grosso episode! Fuck yeah! We love the letters! Thanks for giving a shit about the history of the thing that has kept me and a million other weirdos alive!

[@dxzxax8772]

Hawk Rules

[@danbock578]

good job vans and grosso. you're finally growing up.

[@dccar1]

All Hail the true King

[@mitchnorman2648]

Song at 34 seconds?

[@bleachvisionTV]

I like how they didnt mention about the video games (THPS) and shits... i mean, thats good lets keep it that way 😉

[@delmanglar]

sick stalefish tailslide

[@TheCircleFactory]

grosso seems extra mellow in this one.

[@AppLe-in7zf]

🙌

[@patefutch1063]

At 3:18 those Hawaiian Island creation jogging pants cab has on are so fucking sick!!!!

[@sharktooth2888]

Lol Jeff hated Hawk and his crew back in the early vert days, Tony has talked about being intimidated by aggro Grosso. So that's why this episode was distant. Props to Jeff for even showing the Mullins clip, he didn't care for him either.

[@joseanjos2242]

only trick i do proper is bean plants

[@1MNUTZ]

what's the song that comes on at 0:31 ??????

[@samuelstoner1838]

Great....I was cracking up at the end.... fucking funny

[@dinham]

SICK! 5*

[@MycoMatty]

"Shreddi will go fucking ballistic"

[@1MNUTZ]

lmao 12:41 I went to high school with that kid he sat next to me in class

[@gfhrtshergheghegewgewgew1730]

never knew birdman's dad was so involved in skateboarding

[@tv-yp3po]

I want to meet Tony now

[@LouisT1990]

The title says "Jeff Gross" lol

[@themandalorian2498]

Jeff Gross's 🤣😂

[@rainwhenidie4444]

totally fuckin awesome !!!!

[@finnmcginn9931]

The Squeeb needs to make a comeback.

[@dflynn-ty2du]

Think we are long overdue for a Jason Jessee love letter.

[@jimmytgoose476]

Yeah ...."so, Jason, let's talk about racism.....".....end of letter .

[@marissac870]

Grosso : ....Yeah.

[@Dav2112]

Why did this one get posted on the Ride channel first?

[@miles215ink]

Dav Tony owns the ride channel so they most likely agreed on dual publication rights

[@Psymon1471]

yes, all that RIDE money... lol

[@prunehead]

Cos the ride channel is dying slowly so I guess tony is trying to bump up the Channel visits/feign relevance.

[@vonslagle]

Yeah! @@microchrist6122 I heard he made $250,000.00 off this from posting it on the Ride Channel a day early

[@waltersobchek2465]

@@vonslagle yeah from kids telling stories on the internet while hiding behind their phones and computers... 👌

[@bedpanproduction]

sk8r 4 life

[@chutzpahclang5485]

there are people who say don brider was doing locked in smith grinds quite early

[@fartspoo4244]

Three generations of skateboarding. All in different ways. Fly like an eagle... wait.. aw shit. Close enough.

[@johndoughnut9350]

“Pony Tony” needs to be in the next THPS

[@ST3PH3N89]

Of course he won't mention the pappas brothers and goes straight to Danny way nice one

[@minnesotafats8140]

Tony doesn’t try to be cool ; he’s just -Tony Hawk.

[@mguardalabene4981]

You guess because I could front made me want to learn backside tails and all that

[@danarrington2224]

Grosso had the best madonna's in the business....

[@assault_skateboards]

Fuck Yes!

[@gregorio3292]

because that's the 70s films nop we only skate on playstation

[@espada9]

Tony "the power lifter" Hawk.