10/25/2012
Digging through the old crates, you find the craziest images of the strangest things… —Jake Phelps
(Click any image to enlarge)
Slob fastplants are hard tricks—and when done by Lee Ralph, they're classics. The facial alone says it all: "Eeeeaaagh!" Photo: Kevin Thatcher
Indoor pools: Two words that go great together. They called Rob Roskopp "The Barn" because he was built like one and he was from Ohio. Knee pads didn't help much at San Jose's Sanitarium pool circa 1986. Photo: Stecyk
Classic spots keep coming back into our lives. Buena Vista's seen four decades of ripping; last I heard they'd dug it out with rusty spoons. Non-local Al Losi jams a quick backside air, 1988.
Bill Ruff tuck-knees a proper invert above SF at Sam Finger's ramp in Hunter's Point. Check the skyline—when I see photos like this, I think they could've been covers.
This is a shot of Gator before vert died (yes, it did). These guys were rock stars one minute, and then next thing you know… Shit happens. This is an outtake of the famous Gonz Supercush ad shoot on the rooftop pool n Melbourne, OZ, catchin' some rays before the Torquay Ramp Riot in 1987. In jail for life. Sucks. Photo: Kevin Thatcher
Overview of Joe's Ramp Jam. The Barn jumps the onion while all 40 people gaze on in astonishment. Was the suitcase for Miami Vice, or for the $250 in prize money? Ridiculous. Twenty-feet wide, Masonite, and the sun. Slam time.
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9/24/2019
STILL WATCHIN: Pedro Barros’ Treasure Island 540
Jake’s presence lifted sessions to transcendent heights, powering those in his company to unlock their next-level. Phelper's fire will never go out. -
9/24/2019
Thrasher Radio: Ep. 69 Zered Bassett
Today would have been his 57th birthday, so it feels like the perfect time to launch the final radio segment he ever recorded. Not only is the old man STILL WATCHIN, but he’s STILL TALKIN, and he insists that the show must go on. HBD, Jake. We love you. -
8/12/2019
Vans' "Take It Back" Video
This one will get the blood flowing and heart pumping. Geoff, Pedro and Ronnie put it all on the line in honor of the Phelper. -
6/21/2019
Jake Phelps Lifetime Retrospective
Jake led one of the most extraordinary lives of all time. There’s no way to fully document his legend but we did our best. Based on the June 2019 memorial mag (and expanded here), this massive feature has 50 years’ worth of Jake photos as well as testimonials from his closest friends. It’s almost impossible to absorb all of this content in one sitting and it’s meant to be sampled in various stages. His story will live forever and his spirit continues in everyone who loves to roll. We love you, Jake! -
6/20/2019
Jake Phelps Angel Dust Collection
Jake was the King of Captions. If you skate, the odds are you use some of the phrases and terminology he wrote in the mag. His short essays also have their own thoughtful vibe. Here is a collection of Angel Dust columns he wrote betwen 1994 and 2011.