30th Anniversary Interviews: Mark Gonzales - TransWorld SKATEboarding

[@bennyshambles]

I love how Gonz has always looked like a shy kid when answering questions, eyebrows raised, but also weirdly mischievous. He’s an enigma, a legend, always on his own trip.

[@tyrone-dh6iy]

you don't know what he is. you've never met him. he wouldn't like you.

[@bennyshambles]

@@tyrone-dh6iy Jesus. Really, dude? Like you know? Of course I've never met Gonz and I don't care if he would like me or not because I'm not trying to meet him. I'm a casual fan, just like a majority of people who've skated, and I'm paying him a compliment. This is the weird reply to a harmless comment. You must be a lot of fun at parties.

[@tyrone-dh6iy]

@@bennyshambles harmless? debateable. Gonz doesn't need the crumbs of compliments from "casuals". you either worship him or you are his enemy. choose a side.

[@notmyname3681]

​@@tyrone-dh6iy There's good crazy, like Gonz. Then there's bad crazy, like you. Fk off and leave people be, trying to white knight a fkin legend by being an utter cockbag lol

[@ehav]

I remember skating with him around 1993 or 94 and we were skating the L Pool in Sherman Oaks, CA and he told me to backside air over the pool steps in the deep end and land on the coping with just my back truck. I didn't even mean to try it but I pulled it off right after he suggested it. Skating with him is magic!

[@tyrone-dh6iy]

absolute lie.

[@TheAwkwardCantaloupe]

Gonz represents the meaning of skateboarding; freedom. He does what he wants, when he wants. He doesn't need to do 360 flips to crooked grinds, or be a part of SLS or Maloof, you just know that he's a rad dude. Long live Gonzo!

[@jimmyjay7229]

exactly

[@johnnydrama8709]

Yupppp. Does it because he enjoys it.

[@armin38822]

people don't even know how hard they try to be Gonz...they want to create on the fly,they want to just cruise and do tricks on the fly ...but they can't becasue they don't have the inside that Gonz has

[@jackywhipet]

Gonz would be an awesome villain in a spaghetti western

[@lanceskydiver]

Gonz... The Picasso of skateboarding.

[@metalfan_6668]

So true

[@Parteum]

AUDIO IS HORRIBLE, TWS! You're owned by a media company... And this is Mark Gonzales... Not cool.

[@joebenike8518]

He's the perfect blend of the early days of skating and the new school.

[@mtgentry]

Shout out to Gonz's cousins

[@chill187]

I have a theory that Gonz is from the future and he came back in time to show us how were supposed to skate.

[@rebusd]

not too far future I hope. I wanna see him young again Sacto was too little and Video Days was rad but too late

[@tyrone-dh6iy]

that's a stupid theory

[@c.v.2840]

Anyone noticed when asked about 5 most influential skaters he didn't mention himself. Ask any pro skater past or present about most influential and Gonz is definitely top 3.

[@ignatiusmagnanimous]

Gonz! Nothing more to be said really, but I will. He was always the dude I was watching growing up and he still kills it. As for socially awkward , never met him but I would say that is far off base. Just got to watch his videos from past to present . Brilliant. Not only in his art of skating but his photography, paintings and all his crazy projects . He would of been well known even if he never picked up a skateboard.

[@nayr497]

I wouldn't say socially awkward at all. I think he actually listens to the questions and gives a genuine reply. Today, to be genuine and not just canned...is deemed awkward. I think he's a very smart, creative guy and people find it strange someone can concentrate long enough to make and innovate their own things, from a skating line to a reply. I don't skate at all, but I appreciate the inguenity of these guys. I grew up snowboarding and skiing and surfing. Now I ride bikes all over town, which Gonz seems to enjoy when he's in NYC. Again, I don't skate at all but I appreciate the ingenuity and realness of skates like Gonz. I don't think he'd treat anyone differently, from a kid who walks up to him on the street to a lifelong fan who feels blessed to meet him. He just seems like the real deal. Which is so refreshing for me as a life long athlete who is just absolutely repulsed by the business modern sporting has become. It's sadly not much about the sport at this point. Gonz is a reminder of why any of us started skating/dribbling/dabbling/trying/doing/. In all sincerity, thank you Mark Gonzalez.

[@notmyname3681]

Yeah, quirky, thoughtful, maybe a bit shy but also highly expressive but never strikes me as awkward. Reckon he'd be chill as anything to hang out with.

[@Breeder333]

I saw Mr. Gonzalez boardslide a Cadillac tailfin in Oregon when i was a little kid. It opened up the floodgates of childish ideas of what we could try on the wood toy. Thanks Gonz for just being you, I respect the shit out of it.

[@Steve_643]

Crazy how good The Gonz’s memory is to remember the shirt Cabalero was wearing in a photo!!!!

[@charliemoney]

The thumbnail makes it look like a golfing documentary lol

[@scottcheely7553]

Gonz changed streetskating forever! He took it to a new level, that's the foundation of today's skateboarding!

[@danjackman3827]

Gonz is a walking art instillation, and one of the best, most artistic skaters I have seen in my 42yrs. Fucken legend!

[@KenArmstrong_]

RIP Shogo Kubo !

[@Nominay]

Shogo Kubo! The only thing I can think about him is he was Christian Hosoi's main influence, and he was only the 4th most influential skater from the Zephyr team days. haha - Mark has always cracked me up.

[@bendyer1465]

A true original. Nobody else in the universe like the Gonz

[@ErgoCogita]

That top 5 list is freakin spot on! Especially Shogo.

[@pleasantnightmare21]

i wish this interview could go on forever

[@marts41]

the man is a God

[@TheWorldisTemporary]

Nah he’s human being .. deff a cool One tho

[@patosoda]

My top 5 influences:matt hensley, mark gonzalez, natas kaupas, brian lotti,Rodney mullen.

[@RobertoFlack]

Matt Hensley's H-Street board was the 1st Pro model I ever owned.

[@julianmilnes9594]

Nice selection young man

[@therealpoka]

why the hell is the audio left channel only?

[@ssbperu]

i remember meeting mark at a berkeley sk8 event one time back in the late 90's. i mustve been 8yrs old and he was one of the hottest sk8ers at the time, i asked 4 his autograph n he was chill enuff to sign it. im 24 now n he's been the only athlete/celeb that i ever asked for an autograph, cus he's that good in sk8boarding.haha

[@Corinthians-kjv]

((SKATE OR DIE))

[@derekbullene3834]

Gonz I remember you way at the old embarcadero SF and 33rd even ! Frogger 🐸 H..M.B bro bro and brotha Man Happy days with the crew at go skateboard shop!sick boy's in San Mateo CA yah Larry go sk8!?

[@flauros0]

The Yoda of skateboarding. Period.

[@DuMularn]

I'm gonna have to say his 5 most influental was right on the money. Without those 5 guys noone else we look up to as a skater would have been influenced!

[@MikaelFlyer]

thanks for that photo from tws #1 cover,great photo

[@frankstein497]

Hey Gonz. You rule. Goodnight.

[@serendipitous6]

Shogo Kubo! Sweet. Always dug his surf style... so smooth...

[@julianmilnes9594]

If Rakim is the Miles Davies of hip-hop....Gonz is the Miles Davies of skating

[@doekebekius1271]

Miles davis.

[@julianmilnes9594]

Thanks, it's reassuring to know there's people like you out there...

[@doekebekius1271]

Julian Milnes Your welcome, both Miles and Mark are awesome.

[@julianmilnes9594]

Doeke Bekius To assume your position "You're".....that felt good

[@doekebekius1271]

I'm so sorry.

[@dugueto_kria]

Obrigado TWS! ❤

[@hipera]

Mark Gonzales - a.k.a. - The Maestro

[@TherealMonsterzInc]

I've never seen or heard gonz, accept for all the old skate videos

[@dakinebeers4780]

He Rolled up w/no board nasty filthy dirty pig pen at Derby park no one recognizing him, the Gonz asks this other guy to try his board then proceeds to take a line not even thought of down da snake run and comes back up the the snake run even faster not just faster but faster than anyone all of us had ever seen, well instead of doing some ollie maneuver or an air over the top hip or right at it, he early grabs mute fs style air on the snake run wall 10ft before the hip and lands on the hip 50-50 grinding the whole turn on top the hip mute grab tuck knee style 50-50 just made us all at a loss of words mind, ability to skate...... he hands the board back n walks off after thanking the skater for letting him skate his board years later I realized wtf that dude was DA GONZ! 86ish summer I would love to see the Gonz, Melcher, Richie Jackson & "The Crazy ass Japanese Skater" seeing what comes from some sessions n skate time together for a good 2-3 months in starting in Japan then Australia next Detroit lastly SF & a gathered reunion of Team Jax !!!!Yes I Would and so would you all no lying aloud!!!!

[@cwolfe74]

Team Jax!! I was part of team Jax!!!

[@MegaAppl3]

good interview

[@datguy9408]

The Gonz lives!

[@percyzeppelin]

legend.................period!!!!!!!!!

[@josephriley3658]

He’s so damn cool.

[@nkmcfrln]

George Orton did the first "bionic" airs ; )

[@jorgecastro5733]

This dude is the boss of all bosses. Muska is getting to the point where he'll be our generations Gonz...

[@FredZepplin]

Whos muska? Nyjah is going to be our generation gonz Nah jk lol but i dont think its going to be muska

[@DavidWay384]

Yeah buddy!

[@peripheral1975]

rodney mullen, gonz, natas, valley most influential street skaters...

[@paulrevere2928]

Add Steve Rocco

[@datbumo]

Robin Williams from "Good Will Hunting" drunk talking about skateboarding. (Love you Gonz)

[@carson4567]

Kinda crazy how gonz is the number one most influential skater.. I mean duh i agree but tony hawk is more commercial with his clothes and stuff but then again, gonz is a god

[@cwolfe74]

The True OG.

[@MikaelFlyer]

gonz is the best

[@pmf182]

No jay adams for monster influential and puts shugo kubo in. Never hear that take. Interesting

[@lautarociancio8044]

Mark nos muestra como tiene que ser el skateboarding

[@Fat1Rulez]

fucking awesome.

[@Busentizshreds]

nice mic

[@jackweeks4368]

Awesome

[@getsomeorgohome]

Art works are nice 2 look at and listen 2 skateboarding is it skate through traffic do or be dead epic human video experience

[@kestlerlikespie]

There's this thing called a personality. Ever had the thought that maybe his is a little different?

[@ulisessilveira5492]

Why does this sound like his nine club episode

[@bon14789]

Gonz, the god.

[@bigwavebill]

The gonz!

[@mikeymercure]

I subbed.

[@emptysetowl9715]

Hmm. Mentions Way but not Hawk? Wonder that inside story is.

[@connorshea2823]

He couldn't think of the most influential skater because he is the most influential skater

[@Corinthians-kjv]

Yep!

[@chrishendricks1160]

Hosoi, Cardiel and Penny.

[@ianallenbywee]

Soberpunk, i agree with you.. above all, i find 0413 - 0415 part very funny, "those chinese eyes" & Gonz's expression.. Ure a legend Gonz. Respect...

[@jkwatson1]

That Mic is terrible!

[@seanvolk4202]

Making street what it came to be

[@joninsco6948]

The Gonz. EMB S.F.C.A. A RUN NAMED AFTER Him In San Francisco Ca. INSCO SOQUEL Ca.

[@DouchedByDemocrats]

Tws top 30

[@JJMza]

Shogu Kuko? What?

[@TheShadowofDormin]

Who ever mixed the Audio did a shit job and put all the music on one speaker the the talking on the other, which sucks because only have one working speaker on this computer

[@Corinthians-kjv]

Get a job!

[@BonesofGoldSkateboarding]

See his vídeo parts!! awsome!! :D def legend ! All of you haters are entitled to disagree if you can do better than him in 2014... but even so , today skaters have so much more access to things.. so you'd have to do like 5 times or more better than his vídeo parts.. that would make you a Reynolds , a pro.. in that case you wouldnt be on youtube talkin trash would you? ;) dont hate, skate! :D thanks for sharing this TWS ! :D

[@Gonzalez2500]

Looks like he doesn't care about tws

[@shanereynolds4276]

What about Christian Hosoi. He was a bad mfer

[@rasquatch]

no rules

[@ACTHdan]

SPIT IT OUT, MARK!!! Lol

[@justinw947]

i never really thought rodney mullen was that big a deal.

[@justinw947]

doing something first is cool but hes not that fun to watch or hear talk or anything

[@Corinthians-kjv]

Mullen sucks!! Who cares about freestyle!

[@FlickSquadSkate]

Lords of dog town... Shogo

[@dakinebeers4780]

I always thought SHOGO was always stoned. and ruler the big carves !!!

[@BK-tp3sg]

He resembles picaso

[@Gonzalez2500]

Because he has Chinese eyes and looked stoned

[@jeremymcclure3372]

I can't hear a fucking word he is saying???

[@tavadibena3629]

i unplugged my sound system and used laptop speakers. that worked in my case. GL

[@Skateandcreate9]

when he was skating he always looked you know, chinese eyes hahaha

[@edwardbernays8617]

Josh Hamburger is only 16 and totally brainwashed by the American Public Relations...please forgive him

[@TheNintendoped]

I love Gonz, but you can tell he's very socially awkward. If it hadn't been for skateboarding, he'd probably be on state welfare. I know I am going to get hate for this, so what.

[@theAVduke]

you are probably right. its pretty amazing he has skateboarding and art though as an outlet, and as a way to make a living

[@yeeeww]

wow you must be very smart to make such a huge assumption and think that you're right. And you also must be very smart because you know so much about someone you have probably never met.

[@TheNintendoped]

Dude, working with people who have schizophrenia and other disorders, you tend to pick up on these things. The only reason you say that is because you are a skateboarder with a profund respect for what he has done for he has done for skateboarding. And being a skateboarder myself, cannot disagree. But you need to realize that people with the demeanor he has, don't make it so far without meaningful to devote their lives to.

[@jordan-rp9oy]

wtf, listen to how pure and intelligently out of the box his answers are. He has lived and skated in like every major city. Way cooler than you

[@dakinebeers4780]

What everyone is trying to say to you nicely is; STFU!!! YA FUCKN' ASS CLOWN!!! Poster child for the Insecure Crotch Nazis. If laws were reasonably just, Slimy Gerbil Waffles like you would have plenty of outstanding warrants for failing to pay tickets issued for being stupid, ugly, and w/out in common sense