Bart Conner on being more famous for Rad than for his Olympic gold medals

Bart Conner shares the story of how he was cast as Bart Taylor in the 1986 BMX movie Rad. He tells funny stories of how rabid the fans are, even Shaq.
You can buy the Rad 4k Blu-ray disc now on Amazon. amzn.to/3vrHPYK
Bart and other stars of the film gathered together with me to record an audio track that works as a companion to watching Rad. These guys tell the most amazing and sometimes hilarious stories about the making of this quintessential 1980s coming-of-age BMX film. It will change the way you enjoy the movie forever.
You can read more at www.cdbaby.com/... and you can buy it there or through iTunes itunes.apple.c...

[@brandohim]

I'm 43 and Rad is the movie of my life!!! It will live forever!!!! 80's freestyle forever!!!

[@MOUNTAINOUS]

Vapestylin' cool. im 42 and this movie is what turned me into a bmxer. i am 42 and still ride and i just did a new bmx flatland old school video on my youtube page. it was just a few days ago i made it. i still love to ride. peace from mt hood oregon.

[@freddiegrace3770]

+Vapestylin' Im 43 and a female and I actually learned how to do tricks on a Mongoose Decade that I bought from some kid. I learned how to do some tricks, and was the only girl that did so that made me feel special. This movie was big for me because it had a girl doing tricks, even though it was actually not a girl. lol I found out that bike I bought was stolen from a kid! lol

[@thorazine666]

I'M 40 AND I WATCH IT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.A TIMELESS GEM FROM THE AMAZING 80S - ALL CAPS GUY #THUNDERINYOURHEART

[@chronicfish]

I'm a 37 year old female.. and I've possibly watched this movie of 30 times. LOVE LOVE LOVE RAD ...

[@thorazine666]

AWESOME!!!

[@deanandtreeny]

Oh I'm sorry Blob I don't have a watch. Bob...the name's Bob. .not Blob. Smart ass.

[@Joe-xo3xy]

I am 38 yrs old now and Rad really got be into BMX riding. One of the most exciting movies of my childhood and still is, even today. Wish Bart Conner all the best and thanks for you contribution to the childhood of many others.

[@flaminrota]

Love RAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! this movie got me into BMX. I'm 42 and still ride my BMX everyday.

[@haro82]

He seems like a down to earn nice guy. Bmx had such a huge impact on my life. Up until rad, we freestylers only had the bmx plus and freestylin magazines. For a lot of us, rad was the first time we actually got to see our heroes in action. We finally got to see what the tricks actually looked like in motion.

[@carlosmaggoo]

+haro82 100

[@WanderlustmanC]

and you know this, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jasonwaters8290]

rad was my favorite movie when i was a kid "you over rotated" .... "NO SHIT !!" LOL

[@00DUCK]

It's so cool to see that Bart is laid back, humble and very proud of RAD. So glad he is nothing like his character in the movie. Of course, not many actors are.

[@ibeethatoneguy7807]

Rad forever!! Its 2019 n I'm still going back to it

[@LanningKann]

When I was a little kid I rented this every friggin’ weekend from Blockbuster. My mom thought I was nuts but let me keep renting it. Now I’m 45 and my 3 year old is obsessed with this movie. I played it for him when he was 1.5 when I was trying to get him to nap one day, and now he keeps saying “Bike movie Dada?” This movie will live on forever for so many of us.

[@bigbfromaz]

Lanning Kann thats so awesome! Glad the next generation will enjoy it as well!!

[@Viperkal]

Bart Conner is very well spoken and tells an enjoyable story. Nice to see he has a great sense of humour and appears to be a very good person and well grounded. Plus, he's married to Nadia!

[@sarareiswig1434]

28yr old female and love this movie! I can probably recite it line for line. The soundtrack brings back the best memories.

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

Sara Reiswig marry me?

[@J-SH06]

Sara Reiswig no marry me.

[@xaniiu]

MY MAN!!.....Bart Taylor

[@jeremywatts3306]

I’m 48 years old and RAD was a huge part of my life. I literally can recite it word for word. I watched it every single day during the summer. I still watch it today about once a month.

[@danh5150]

As a GenX'er who grew up in the early days of freestyle, had a GT Pro Performer, and wore out a copy of Rad, I had no idea Bart Conner was an Olympic medalist. Lol!! Bart seems like a classy, super laid back guy. Thanks for sharing this interview!

[@ventarfield7115]

GT pro world tour old school rider here. Can you believe he married Nadia Comaneci!? Bart is one RAD dude.

[@photony]

Bart is a truly humble and amazing man. I met him through the Rad audio project, and ultimately Nadia. They're both really, truly cool people.

[@photony]

@Kevin Geaslin He goes into more detail in the behind-the-scenes audio we produced. There's a reason he was always shot from the waist-up in the movie...

[@CarynDPrescott]

@@photony 👀👀

[@SIX6SIXer]

Bart, Rex, and Rod were the Cobra Kai of BMX racing

[@jasonharris644]

Yep ..I'll be 40 next month and I still listen to soundtrack when I ride....thunder in your heart baby! ...

[@369Bandido]

When my son and I ride, I throw my Bluetooth speaker on my 88 Redline and bump the soundtrack every Saturday. Bikes: 2012' Haro, 88' Redline RL340

[@MOUNTAINOUS]

jason harris cool. i am 42 and i love this movie. i just made a new bmx flatland video on my page. peace. old school bmx for life

[@b.a.ward.]

Great soundtrack! I have a few of them saved as favorites on XM RADIO. 😁

[@MrDeppness]

So awesome that Bart understands how much the film means to so many people. Also wanted to see what happened when he joined the RAD team! What ever happened to RAD 2???

[@J-SH06]

MrDeppness that's like saying where the Mona Lisa 2.

[@MrFuchew]

@@J-SH06 man

[@nickdavinci2196]

As a kid I always hoped for a Rad 2...as an adult I'm glad it never happened but I would have loved to see Bart and Cru ride together and dominate

[@MrDeppness]

@@J-SH06 There was no narrative with the Mona Lisa. It is a still painting.

[@vinewood8295]

You did a great job in the movie Bart, much appreciated my man...

[@chestercopperpot9459]

In a time when so many actors snub their early work it is so refreshing to see someone not only love their old work but honestly still seem to have excitement from it. Bart, you are one Rad Dude.

[@Dingoplexor]

Can I get ur lou Gehrig card?

[@rkline65]

This is so true. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Josh. Brolin talk about Thrashin.

[@dbpolitico]

Awesome interview, I never knew he was an Olympic gymnast until now. He did a great job in the movie.

[@photony]

D That's so funny. He is surprisingly aware that most people know him for the movie more than they know him for his gold medals!

[@chakadoo]

Team Mongoose struts their stuff!

[@ALLGAMESYSTEMS]

Tomorrow is the 35th anniversary screening across the country in theaters!

[@photony]

I’m going, with the guy that wrote the film!

[@KeoTheCupcake]

"Back up babe and take that nerd with you." 🤣🤣🤣

[@b.a.ward.]

At 44 years old, I am amazed at how much this movie shaped the lives of kids like me. It kept me active. It forced me out of my comfort zone when trying new freestyle tricks. It allowed me to meet other freestyle riders. And it always put a smile on my face whenever I watched the movie. RAD was more than just a movie for me, it truly played a pivotal role in how I grew up.

[@estabanb55]

Same here 👍

[@base1b2626]

I'm 42 and I saw Rad when I was about 8 or 9 and I still love the movie today. I recently purchased the 4k version. Awesome movie.

[@setunedouche]

I’m 42 years old….and we wore that VHS out when I was a kid. I have a copy of RAD on my phone. I absolutely adore that movie!! My two year old will love it too!!!! God Bless everyone involved in that masterpiece of a film!!!!

[@brothertimbob]

I'm 38 and LOVED this movie as a kid! Still do!

[@I_like_turtles_67]

Tim Prairie I am 36. Love this movie. My buddy has the soundtrack on vinyl.

[@adambauman8044]

Olympic gold medalist and movie star. That Bart Taylor has it all doesn't he. And we've got him

[@7star7storm7]

Duke - Get this 🖕 😂✌️

[@3232ufohunter]

they need to put on blu-ray

[@FillingtheVoidRevues]

Why the F is every other movie in the world on DVD/Blu Ray EXCEPT THIS MOVIE?!?

[@mikemc5221]

LOL! It's not even been officialy released on regular DVD. But you're right. Sadly Talia Shire owns the rights to the movie and will not allow it to happen.

[@jasonsaltsman7485]

They announced a blue ray release yesterday.

[@mattb9664]

It's on Amazon Prime!!

[@emrakultheaeonstorn7430]

Kick ass he mentioned Harry Gant and the Skoal Olds

[@KelABN]

Amazing gymnast, and he played the reformed jerk villain perfectly. Way to go, Bart.

[@FlyDog79]

You hit the nail on the head. I’m 44 and that movie impacted my childhood so much! Thank you, Bart.

[@htl9042]

Great movie and soundtrack

[@photony]

Have you heard the companion audio project?

[@susancorgi]

Wow thanks for making these RAD interview happened man. Good to know more about all the casts.

[@mackymaca]

More power to you, Bart, and the rest of the Rad crew! Love that film!

[@flamethrowerflufsalisbury]

Got my first concussion because of this movie...I overrotated

[@Pfpg-t1i]

No $h!t

[@dannyjalen423]

All week I’m thinking of the movie “Rad”. So I’m hear with a big grin on my face watching this. Makes me want to cry! 😭 Those we’re truly the days.

[@jefftank3300]

A friend of mine sent me the link to the 4K trailer. My jaw dropped. Watched it on Amazon Prime that night. Back around 2008, I had to throw away many of my old VHS tapes because the magnetic material was flaking off the tape. Rad was one of them. I loved the soundtrack. Break the Ice, Thunder in Your Heart, and Send Me an Angel. A few months after watching Rad for the first time, I bought a bike which I could turn the front wheel 360 degrees. And doing exactly that was the best trick I ever learned to do.

[@ifishallday3]

My favorite Movie!!! Love it.

[@davidjoseph8865]

Im watching Rad right now. Being 13 in 1989 riding my GT performer all over the San Fernando valley. Reading Freestylin and BMX plus religiously. Man.....good times. Martin was my hero!

[@halfpipe782001]

Wow. That’s really cool Bart. I knew u as a gymnast first. My father is a sports fanatic. I’m 41 years old. After I saw the flick. My next x mas present was a Gt Mach one. Great storie. I really enjoyed that!!

[@bdk4523]

I'm 41. Grew up watching the movie. Still to this day, my good buddy chat about it. Ahhhh, thanks for the memories! Thank You for all that you do for the children. ❤

[@666needffullthings66]

I'm 42 and RAD was my life I think I watched it 100 times maybe more. 1988 was never boring I was into skateboarding at the time but this movie made bmx cool. Special thanks to all the cast especially Bart Taylor or Bart Conner what a movie I hope your kid watches it. A true iconic film I heard your story about the Olympics and the gold medals etc the wife but man this film is the shhiittt thank you.

[@scottfaltersack7613]

I love how he remembers everyones name.

[@bjbegui]

the music is still incredible

[@Pulsed101]

The great John Farnham

[@vincestyles1030]

I would definitely want my 85 mongoose California autographed by him. I literally have the exact bike he had in the movie 🎥

[@acepilotson3331]

How cool is this guy… so nice, genuine and modest.

[@ShrednESP]

its gonna take a radical miracle to beat this guy...

[@Pulsed101]

I've never seen such raw talent and determination in one kid

[@patrickmckown5996]

Just found this. Great story. I bought Rad on DVD, finally found it on DVD, then the soundtrack a couple of weeks later. It will never get old. Watch the movie probably 4 times a year.

[@michaelwilson8461]

Too funny, I had no clue he was anybody other than "Bart Taylor". Olympic medals are cool too I guess, but RAD was awesome lol.

[@nullcorporation2332]

What a cool guy and so Down to Earth. Great Story. Thanks for the upload!

[@jeffbarnes7122]

Such a cool guy. Would love to see his sons reaction to his dad being in a BMX movie!

[@l337pwnage]

There are a ton of good BMX movies, but RAD really is the crown jewel of them.

[@robertcampbell8223]

Rad was my most favorite movie as a young guy and I really wished I really wished I had a copy or could find a copy in stores. I'm turning 43 this year and I still ride bike everywhere. And with the worldwide pandemic that's going on with the coronavirus it would be nice to be able to watch that movie again and again if only I could find a copy why can't I find a copy 😢

[@photony]

The 4K disc with special features was just announced on VinegarSyndrome.com. It’s my favorite movie, too!

[@robertcampbell8223]

@@photony Thanks bud I'll be checking out that 4 sure. U rock!

[@robertcampbell8223]

@@photony so I checked that and being 4k ultra hd, I don't have the equipment to be able to watch it. So depressing. You wouldn't possibly know where to find a copy format that's blu-ray. DVD or vhs by some miracle PLEASE.........

[@photony]

@@robertcampbell8223 The 4k release also comes with the HD Blu-ray, to my understanding.

[@robertcampbell8223]

@@photony radical now I know what I should start telling people I want for my birthday on the 30th of May,, and again you rock thank you so very much

[@trashman1694]

Bart nailed it on the "x-games" comment. It was THE bmx video back in the day. And also the end of E.T. hahaha

[@GreenRanger090]

im still in my teens and i grew up on the film and it got me into the sport of bmx racing, still holds an important spot in my heart

[@commanderstarstrider7176]

IM 39. I watched this movie over 100 times as a kid. Then I would go out and ride my bike around the neighborhood and try all kinds of jumps. I loved it.

[@joeyortiz757]

I'm 43 and rad movie was my inspiration to love bmx i watch the movie everyday all day and take my bike and start doing all the jumps best time in my life so simple at that time i have my cw racing and a 1988 hutch pro racing i miss the late 80s and 90s thank God for those moments

[@clauderoxborough5441]

coolest thing we had ever seen - without a doubt!!! I would watch, then go try some tricks, then run back to the TV rewind, play it again, then go back out and try the tricks again. We would all gather and fix our bikes, spend hours then go ride. was the greatest time!!!

[@unbridledenthusiasm]

seems like a cool guy

[@jamescaldwell-carignan2303]

I'm turning 36 in 2 days and rad was my childhood. Watching Cru and Bart battle it out on BMX was mind blowing at such a young age. I will never forget this movie and I will never stop talking about it!

[@bobafett2125]

Cru Jones and Corey Webster... man those were good days... Powell Peralta and Redline for me :)

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

I know BART TAYLOR that guy in the movie RAD! 😱😝🤪🤣👍👍🇺🇸

[@ikecreates]

This film was my childhood. I watched it all the time along with Thrashin’. I remember my dad rented and taped it for us. I had no idea who Bart Conner was but my dad did and told me the whole story about him being an Olympic gymnast. I always thought that was extra cool being a young gymnast myself.

[@_Chipster]

I grew up in Costa Rica, and while i had a skateboard most of my friends didn't, but we all had BMXs and rode everywhere; we had our own homemade hell tracks after watching RAD. My parents were so supportive because i stopped skating (getting hurt as bad and as often) because we were riding all the time.

[@michaelevans756]

The 80's and early 90's where the best times ever. Rad will forever be my favorite childhood movie.

[@aphex14]

I still remember seeing this film at the Uptown in Pasadena, and my friends and I were the only ones in attendance...9 total....And when the intro began, Damn!!! Eddie, Martin, Mike, Dennis, Ron, R.L., Brian....Still today at 51, appreciate this as the 1st time...

[@funshootin1]

Got a shit load of trophies because of the motivation Rad gave me. . Raced aba bmx on a 16 Inch till I was big enough for a 20 inch bike. .. late teens got into mtb and still fool around with them. .. cool video, nice to finally get the Bart back story

[@davidsegerstrom9313]

Cant count how many times I watched this movie but I do remember a few good wrecks after getting pumped up on the old Rad vhs tape!!

[@imthekattmann]

Barr Conner is a super cool guy. I'm a gymnast as his gym, Bart Connor, in Oklahoma. He's in there a lot walking around and talking to the gymnast. I've had some great conversations with him

[@cowleysmobilewelding]

I'm 41 and still ride bmx daily thanks to this movie. Thank you Bart

[@andrewfrazier547]

Best soundtrack ever. I listen to the music from that movie now and I'm 39. In my top 5 movies

[@snakehips3131]

This interview is Rod & Rex approved

[@gvukster]

This guy is sharp! Awesome interview. cheers from Canada

[@fdation]

Being born in 80 bmx was life for 25 years and rad was a major part of it.just iconic classic bmx movie I always wanted a part 2 with cru and bart on rad racing though.

[@leegraves1666]

almost 40 here and this is so cool to see. that movie and bmx bandits were my favorites

[@jasonhendrick8114]

Im 39 and rad inspired me to ride bmx sense i was a little boy. my bike and i still ride today and haven't lost interest in having fun on my bike. Thanks and congrats. My son is 5yrs old and i will definitely have to show him rad

[@robertkchampion5921]

the greatest movie ever thanks for sharing your memories and thoughts

[@Equint77]

Its funny how beloved these movies become. As an 80’s kid i had the vhs and loved it. I found a copy on my ps4 i watch every so often. 👍

[@CrymInAction]

Awesome that he's super chill!! I would LOVE if it ever was re printed.. (no hollywood, we don't want a remake, just release the film please!)

[@davidjean6753]

I'm 40 years now and this film really inspired me at such a young age to go after my dreams. I reached my dreams at 22 made a name for myself and lost it all by 30. Now I'm back in pursuit. Wish me luck!!

[@Pulsed101]

My brothers and I used to watch Rad every other week and after I'd watch them all on their bikes, trying to pull off those moves in the ending credits (I was too young to participate). The movie is very special to all of us. I have a rad t-shirt and hoodie.

[@basssix1]

This was such a treat ! Bart is a hero !

[@williamfernandini967]

I'm 37 and growing up we didnt have cg movies they have today. Those movies were it for us. I absolutely loved that movie.

[@carlosibarra2267]

I remember when my aunt took me to the theater in North Hollywood to watch RAD... My dad bought me a used Torker Freestyle BMX used but still have to this day 🤓

[@korie4198]

I was so obsessed with this movie that my first bike was a boys bmx with training wheels 🤣🤣🤣 I never got into it myself cause I'm a klutz but i literally bawled when i outgrew that bike. I still have send me an angel on my playlist because it reminds me of this movie.

[@Jonnynot1plate]

There is a 4k/ bluray release of this movie coming on May 22 by Vinegar Syndrome. You can preorder.

[@davidryan8547]

38 and I first saw you in Rad but shortly thereafter I read a book about your Olympic career.

[@pants224]

best time of my life. rad is rad. thanks much

[@therealbatraz878]

Best movie ever! Watch it on my birthday every year without fail!

[@raybordier4798]

Thanks for posting these interviews.

[@joelrainey1979]

My twin brother and I started to race bmx because of this movie we were 8 in 1988 and we still watch it till this day 😎👍

[@DrtyALGreen]

The fact that Bill and Bart have embraced the cult status really shows how cool they are. I was Bart and my little was Cru when we played. I actually knew about his gymnastics accomplishments and still am a huge RAD fan( someone always buys some kind of merch every year. Like my Bart Taylor, the man shirt). I had this huge sports photography book that I'd lug on fights for parental visits and the 84 games was featured in there. Bart was in a lot of the pictures including a gold medal ceremony. I went to a 25th anniversary screening with my brother in law not too long ago and there is something new in the works they showed after the credits.

[@vinewood8295]

I was 13 in 1986 when I saw RAD for the first time, I was already diehard BMX living on my bike but I had never really seen pro's in action except for a few commercials and what not but like I lived in the pages of BMX Plus! I was one of those kids that wore out the VHS from my local Blockbuster Video...

[@Billyboy4209]

U got me! Im 33 and i still have a pk ripper,as do my kids. You fellas and that movie are how us fellas learned how to really ride. For me thats why i love it and you guys!!!

[@ronniestangelo3946]

Bart u are the man and I'm 45. Yea I was there seeing RAD and it's good day best ever. Your kid will love it lol

[@Mr.J0lllllll0]

I was just commenting to Bill, I love and miss that movie. I actually knew who you were because I was actually into gymnastics back in the day. Then Rad came out, you just couldn't beat that. My Mongoose bike, that's another story lol

[@stevelacroix2404]

I’m 48 and I’m still obsessed with Rad!

[@cranberry411]

Bart is real cool. I'm an 80s kid and still breakout this movie a few times a year. I've probably seen it more that a 1000 times. Thrashin was cool too.

[@7star7storm7]

The first person I've ever heard mention Thrashin 🔥 I was born in 79 .. so many awesome movies back then ✌️

[@cranberry411]

@@7star7storm7 totally was born in 82

[@workspace966]

still one of my all time favorites! if i could only find the dvd or bluray! :D

[@michaelcortez9623]

Awww that’s something definitely to look forward to,to show his kid the movie🤭👊🏼💥💯❤️