The Tony Alva Story | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | Skate | VANS
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2020
- One of the key figures in the early evolution of skateboarding from a wholesome, contest based "sport" into the freewheeling art form that it is today was Tony Alva.
Tony is now 63 years old, the oldest professional skateboarder in the world, is considered by many to be the godfather of modern day skateboarding. Alva’s brand of aggression and bravado in the 70’s set the stage for the way skateboarding would be forever defined.
Vans’ The Tony Alva Story chronicles T.A.’s humble beginnings on the streets of Santa Monica to his rise to superstardom as part of the legendary Z-Boys, his inevitable drug-induced implosion and his ultimate rise from the ashes to accept his rightful place as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations of skateboarders the world over.
Written & Directed by Rick Charnoski & Coan "Buddy" Nichols/Six Stair Productions
Starring: Tony Alva, Jeff Grosso, Wynn Miller, Steve Olson, Shepard Fairy, Gus Van Sant, Josh Brolin, Jeff Ament, Glen E Friedman, Robert Trujillo, Brad Bowman, Pete Zehnder, Jeff Ho, Stacey Peralta, Elijah Berle and more.
Music Credits:
Josh Landau, Eliminator
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The Tony Alva Story | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | Skate | VANS
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I think the fact this is free for viewing is remarkable
Why? Only idiots still pay for media
Jeff grosso said it himself "there was never any money in skateboarding " king of the road 2018 I think
@@mikaelgaiason688 Check out this guy. He's older and at the end of his video, he gets so much air it's insane..... ...th-cam.com/video/v0_T9DkOe9k/w-d-xo.html
@@davidpash2169 Check out this guy. He's older and at the end of his video, he gets so much air it's insane..... ...th-cam.com/video/v0_T9DkOe9k/w-d-xo.html
@@billperron2 bro wtf is this lmao
“He invented the frontside air, what the fuck have you done?” RIP Grosso ♥️♥️♥️♥️
I will be 58 this year and I've been skating since I was five I am taking a break for about the past five years because of injuries,,,,,, I think I own at least 12 or 13 boards still and I am going to go out and skate tomorrow regardless of how much it hurts because I still love it ,,,,,,,God bless u TA
How was your sesh?! You still gettin some? I’m 46 and really working to carve out time for some skating. I hope to be at it in 12 years like you! Cheers
Tony Alva is the best!!!!
Saw Tony Alva pull a huge aerial in 78 in London. it was like seeing Jesus....unbelievable at the time. I'm 56 now and still skating on my Alva board .
Rock 'n Roll!!!!
So good but my heart broke when Grosso said “I had no plans of being 60”. RIP Grosso
Me too 😔
For real. We miss you MOTHRA!
Do not morne the dead. Celebrate the living.
Death is ok
Rip
Live fast die young! A true fucking legend...
Now we need the jay Adams documentary!
Yes!!
DOPE (Death or Prison Eventually) th-cam.com/video/jqJUpPh6fMo/w-d-xo.html
Would be NICE....🍻
I think he’s dead
The last clip of him by the mural explaining things is the best part.
I always sucked at skateboarding but really appreciate it and it's culture. Such a good documentary. Love what he says at the end!
Me too, I can’t even ollie. But at 30 there’s nothing that feels better than kicking off down a hill and I will continue doing it until I can’t.
@@bertrod92 don't give up on those Ollie's my friend. They take a while to get the hang, but when you do it opens up so much more diversity/fun. It took me forever to Ollie, then even longer to Ollie consistently while moving. But once I got it, the flood gates burst wide open. That was 20 years ago and even if I don't touch a board for years...I can still hop on and feel out an Ollie like it's second nature. Good luck.
I don't think anyone else has watched this more than myself. It's Always just a scroll down away or ready to play after whatever I'm watching is done! I got an old school 33" 🛹 with multi color mini logo wheels all because of Alva
This was the best 53 minutes I've ever spent in my life! Thank you.. definitely hit home...
The Duane Peters documentary is much better. It’s called “ Who Cares”!
My first board was an Alva board. The 77 re-issue. He inspired me even as a girl to start skating when I was 15 or so.
Thanks to all the photographers and friends with cameras that documented throughout the decades. What would we have without you? Film lives on.
RIP Grosso, you've taught me much about skate history through Loveletters.
Ben Gravy has a sic promodel you should look into shredding for the yewwwww
This is legit one of the best documentaries ever made
Wow Tony at the end talking brought me to tears. It's all about the true essence of joy, compassion and finding balance.
I still skate and I’m 50. Always loved Alva’s skating, but wasn’t crazy about his attitude. Shits come full circle because I now love his attitude..
I used to skate in the mid 80's was not super good. Now my oldest daughter is skateboarding, and I got back to it. I love to ride with my cruiser. I never did skatepark as a kid, there were non in my area in that time, but I tried it a few time, and boy I love it. I'm 46 now, and hope I will be able to ride for long
I’m 47 and still at it
TA is skateboarding! I'm 48 and haven't been on skateboard since high school. But this guy is the reason I was ever on one. Thanks Vans!
Nice
Hell yes
I'm 54 skate every day
Have a sick mini bowl in grants pass oregon come skate if you get out oregon way
I am Oldmangregskates on Instagram
If you wanna ride
P.s. my daughter rides an Alva
Great story fills in the gaps , im still here at 64 young , its torture 🇦🇺
Tony is a super cool cat. He used to come hang out at tekgnar with me when I used to work there. Very positive vibes always!
Growing up as a skater in the midwest, Alva/Adams/Peralta were the biggest influences on my adolescence. I used to draw the "Awa" logo on my notebook in algebra. I had to have the board when it came out. I strongly believe that the Alva Skate ads revolutionized advertising, not just skating.
This film stirs the soul, just like Z-Boys did. WELL PLAYED, SIR. Long may you skate & influence...
I’ve never known much about mr Grosso, but a few sentences into his intro and it’s so obvious how absolutely freaking beautiful that person is. RIPower
Such a bummer Grosso passed. Dude was so cool.
Love the Dog Town and Z-Boys Doc and movie! This story should be told in depth with a Netflix/Prime multi part documentary.
The Lord's of Dogtown... My absolute favourite movie and my first found love for skateboarding was because of Tony.. !
Loved that movie as I learned how it started. I remember they surfed around pilings under wharfs that were covered with oysters or barnacles. It blew my mind.
"I'm not a slave to drugs, I'm not a slave to alcohol, I'm not a slave to money, I'm not a slave to my cellphone, I'm not a slave to my fuckin' car... I can give a fuck, man. I got this, and I got this. And that's all I need."
I miss Shogo,too. He was my favorite Z- boy.
TRUTH.
roots.
Yeah like some of these dirtbbiking sell outs.. jumped in jumped out sold out and are now doing nascar??? I dont see the correlation other then spoiled
Seeing Alva clean and skating warms my heart. I'm 50 still bombing the hills in my hood in Texas. Skate life.
Keep on bombing dude.
Just built my first mini - 45 and still rolling!
That’s skateboarding 🔥
What an amazing documentary!
This is documentary PERFECTION!
RIP Grosso.
Today’s my 2nd day with my first skateboard. I fell 103 times but landed my first kickturn in the bowl! Best feeling ever I can’t imagine what their feeling when they land these tricks. I also may have broke my pinky. Can’t wait for tomorrow to do it again!
Thanks Karen
But would tony be impressed? Should we call the hawk?
Karen do a kick flip
Learn how to ride your board first. No reason to fall trying to "land" a kickturn.
The last clip of him by the mural explaining things is the best part.
Ooooh
Poppppppppoppppppoppo
Popoppppppopp
Touching!
@@anthonyj3565 m
I find myself watching this over and over again. Almost as comfort food. Alva x Skate culture 🤘🏼
turning 60 myself this month. started skating in 75. of course all the names, the mags, the life.. influenced me. I too, got clean, 28 years ago. it was truly, get clean or die. thank you vans for sharing this. peace Jeff. and thx Tony
R.I.P Grosso. Both these dudes had a lot of passion for the four wheeled wooden toys we all love and cherish. Cheers
“I competed with the sun for the center of the universe.”
Beautiful.
well him and the sun both lost that battle ... seeing how neither are the center of the universe ..."beautiful" maybe... until you think
thats literally a very narcissistic thing to say. havent watched this yet because i already know he is a abusive piece of shit.
look up narcissism if you dont know what it is
What a legend. Skateboarding plays a big part in my life and in many other people. Thanks to you and the other Z-boys. God bless you!
I’m 56 and I still have my Alva skateboard from the 70’s. One of my prized possessions.
I will never forget meeting Tony Alva. I was 10 years old skating at the original "PIPELINE SKATE PARK" in Upland, Ca. Behind him at the full pipe before he dropped in.
He was so cool! He talked to me about skating. Told me some tricks on how to flow with the board and how to deal with the fear. He really impressed me as a kid.
I ran to the snack bar and borrowed a pen then ran back and asked for his autograph in front of everybody. He told me f#@k no! Lol
I noticed later in life that he always takes time to give autograph when kids ask! It made me think that day was life changing for both of us.....
Those were the days. Growing up in Alta Loma skating the Pipeline..... miss it.
@@whyami8024 Next after next! 🤣
@@earthsoulshavegrownup7895 Classic!
I skated today, came home tonight and watched this. Gonna go skateboard tomorrow. We love you and miss you Jeff. Thank you Tony.
Hands down the best documentary including any movies that were made about Tony Alva or with him in it! Kudos my friend you killed it! Tony is honored and rightly so.
Inspired me in 1978, and he inspires me today.
This Documentary is Heavy...What a Legend Alva is !!! RIP Grosso
ayy love your content although i haven't watched you in over a year ill definitely come back. been getting good really at throwing knifes too.
great docu - never seen one on the alva team before - so nice to fill in the blanks !
Lll
L
B uu
Thank you Alva !! 18 ...Forever Grosso RIP!!!
From Brazil
I am 60 years old ...in This moment I have tears in my eyes
I remember all reports
Tony Alva forever
Although some of us never seen the lime light of being a pro skater, I’ve skated with some very talented thrashers on the Indian reservation. Sadly there was hardly anybody that owned video recorders or cameras back then. Nearly 50 yrs old now but I can still balance on a board. Thx for the memories.😊❤
That was damn good. Miss you Grosso
Rip Grosso lived his truth until the end. Great piece! I hope this enables more of these types of documentaries to pop up. Keep up the great work.
This Doc is Epic! So True, about that Spotlight/ Interview in 1978. I was 9 at the time, and I was absolutely mesmerized by it!
TA's Boards are Still the Best! And in 2023, if you skate and don't know what that logo represents, and what it means to riding, and the entire Culture of Skateboarding, you best be checking it out. Skating don't matter where you come from, or who you are, just keep trying to get better at it.
Thanks for Posting this Doc. I like to come back to it, every once in awhile. These Guys Were, and Still Are, Legend.
Good to see TA still riding high, without the chemicals and booze. Inspiring.
Absolutely amazing story! Alva is truly legendary!!! To see him at 60 skating blows me away! I am 52 and could never ride again without ending up in the hospital :D
Thank you Vans for posting this vid I watched the hole thing, I had no idea how cool Tony Alva was, what a Legend. At the end of the vid when the guy said get off your ass and go skate I when into a parking lot and skated for hours and got my first rolling ollie, thank you again Vans for this vid.
I grew up in Santa Monica in the 80’s/90’s, my mom went to school with these guys at Lincoln and Samohi in the 70’s. Had the pleasure of playing a show with TA in 2012 (with his band GFP), and the dude was so humble and rad. Nothing like the stories I heard growing up, he even helped us load our amps during sound check. It was interesting to hear the story behind that switch in attitude. Local Legend.
These guys didn't go to school lol
@@shmh6002 Sure they did, at least in Junior high. I don't recall seeing him in high school , but in junior high he was always around. He might have been in high school, but with 4000 students it would be easy not to cross paths.
World Legend
I'm 57 years old and I had one of those first boards, when I was kid living in Texas. Man I wish I still had that board. The trucks, the wheels, there was nothing like them in 1978. Suh weet!
It was because of guys like Tony Alva that inspired me to be one of the first guys on NW side of Chicago to get a skateboard when I was 12 in 1977.
I’m 48 years old.... I grew up skating and surfing, I had both Tony Alva and Jeff Grosso skate boards from the 80’s. This video is a great trip **also it’s great to see pictures of Shia Labeouf’s Dad, ripping those pools back in the day.
I'm right with you.. I'm 50 now and still skate some hills and parking garages.
RIP Grosso
and Bourdain
He is missed.
Oh and Jay Adams.
Legends live on in our hearts! RIP Grosso
Missed everyday. Cant believe how he went out man. Fucking hurts.
I'm 58 and I know the name Tony Alva. Hell yes, thumbs up
GREAT DOCUMENTARY!!!! Thanks for making it free to watch Vans!!!! TONY ALVA = LEGEND!!!
I’m a huge grosso love letters fan. I know he passed and was heart broken when I found out but please don’t ever stop the love letters if not for us do it for grosso. These are the shit when your injured and can’t ride.
what he said, I'm injured and can't skate!
Kevin Eder me too brother heal up quick
Unpopular opinion incoming, but I'd prefer to see the letters respectfully die when they are out of episodes filmed with Grosso. It was his baby to begin with, and his character that kept it going. I think it would be disrespectful for it to live on under someone else's name.
By all means have a similar concept and keep the skate history coming, but don't call it the letters.
I would love to see “The Letters” continue. The short list of people who could carry on Grosso’s legacy would be Lance Mountain, Steve Alba, Lucero, and Steve Olson. I don’t think Lance would be able to do it because he is sponsored by Nike. Olson might be the only one charismatic and punk rock enough to do it right. Either way RIP Grosso!
I’d like to se it be a different retro host each episode depending on the episode if there going over like the bones and Alva feud let’s see Hosoi. If it’s retro vans talk let’s see caballero. Let’s see some vallely, lance mountain, shit even hawk would be alright as long as he doesn’t get all big headed. It will never be the same without grosso but he would want it to go on for all of us who can’t go out and ride. Let’s see some of his close friends give it a shot.
SO DOPE!!!
Someone's got to pick up the mantle and keep Jeff's Loveletters alive!
God, I'm from Philadelphia way out on the east coast and these guys were my hero's ! Should came to Cherry Hill N.J. to skate at this awesome indoor park that was built. He blew our minds !! There was a 3/4 pipe there and he was going to the top. He defied gravity. 40 some years later, I still don't know how he did it and can remember it like yesterday. His long hair just blowing behind him. He was the coolest cat on earth that day !!!!
Being raised in Hollywood from 73 to 75 then still living in the valley and a kid from the arcade the skater cross this was awesome to be a part of this
Awesome documentary! Alva is still the man 40 years later!
This is raw skate, to the fullest, everyone who skateboarded someday owe this dude! True legend! Thanks for this and for this documentary!
Hey Guys Tony Alva come to my country in 1979 to skate show Caracas Venezuela, I was see that show , I was 12 year old
I'm 60 years old and still have my Alva board. Guess I better start riding it again. Alone again, naturally.
Alva, trully one of the Father's of modern skateboarding! Grosso ruled to educate us all with the Letters! RIP brother!
Killer Doc, RIP Jay, Shogo, Grosso
Tony Alva taught me how to do frontside lipslides and grinds at Sparks Carlsbad skatepark, and I will remember that glorious day for the rest of my life. 🤙🏼
60 and still killing it 🗡 Love your work Alva..
"Coping is abusive." loved that and all his commentary.
so, does that mean he is allowed to be abusive? because i think he is a total piece of shit after meeting him.
Punkrock
Sk8
Rode for Alva from. 95 to 97 cookie head, Lincoln Ueda, Matt dycke....good times 41.58 skated this pool with many including D way who did Ollie to nose tail grab yank in over the death box ....
@Roger T Groh ^----GOOD ONE !
ZZBUDZZ
He’s a Joker alright
@@marcelboogaard2099 who ? Me ? Calling me a liar ? Confused....Need proof ?
@Roger T Groh you're not calling me a liar right ?
@Roger T Groh believe me I'm calm....internet policing
Dude will never know it but this show helped me stay clean many times. I would slip a bit and then turn this on and knew Grosso did it. So thank you Vans, SixStair and Grosso (rip in power!)
Awesome bro. I'm struggling today
I'll never forget that b&w "leather jacket" ALVA team photo.
I sticked that picture on my main school book in 1988 !
@@artdudivin had the poster on my bedroom wall as a kid. Those guys were so badass to me!
@@Strawman333 You could find a poster..!? I'm jealous !! ;o))
That actually hangs on my desk
@@artdudivin there should be a reprint I would hope. I want this poster!
i still have my 77 Alva board,signed by TA
KEEP IT !! MAYBE YOU CAN PASS IT DOWN TO ONE OF YOUR GRANDKIDS. Hopefully they will appreciate it...
I'm not big on skateboarding. I've seen the movie Lord's of Dogtown. Which I enjoyed very much. This was a well done documentary
An amazing video about a truly amazing skateboarder, surfer, musician, and human being. TA has been one of my heroes since I first picked up a skateboard in 1976. I'm 59 now and still skate when I can, inspired by TA, the late, great Jay Adams, and a host of other skaters/surfers. Sad to hear about Jeff Grosso, R.I.P.
"The bottom is really, everyone is growing up and you're not" damn
Damn heavy statement...
He defy time :) challenges what everyone thinks about growing
Brolin is the man. Alva found his way
Good video - yeah I'm 60 and that brought me to tears.
You gave me a Alva sticker in Brevard county FL awhile back I still got it too. One my fav skaters but I actually met you
every skater needs to watch this
Sorely missed Jeff
My first OldSchool style board I ever got is a Jeff Grosso model. RIP. Legend
Woah, y'all got Iann Mackaye as well. Dope af. Long live hardcore and skateboarding
Walter Armstrong First pro deck was a Grosso. Probably half as tall as me😄 Still have it! One of very few relics from back in the day.
Awesome this man is a survivor . Still alive & humble . Clean & Sober & still skates with the flexibility of a 20 year old . Now I'm knowing who Tony Alva is 🥇👑 The Champion of skateboarding .
THANK YOU for uploading this gem! Stay safe everyone and never let go what makes you feel truly alive...humble is the way of the walk!
Best hour I’ve spent in a long while. So many great memories of many of those people and many of those times. Back when skateboarding felt like a family to everyone on a board. Thanks for helping get this done Steve. RIP Jeff. And keep ripping TA.
That was just a plain and simple awesome documentary. Tony is a tough guy. Still going on strong! Wow!
Frikn awesome Tony I had one of your decks back early 90’s
I was a skateboarder in the mid 70s in the San Fernando Valley! I rode at Reseda Skatercross 5 days a week, Tony was my idle!!
Amazing best documentary I have seen since Dogtown.Makes me want to go find a pool to skate.
Scott Greig do it! It feels great
Remember going around neiborhoods looking for pools to SKATE?...great freaking times....🍻
Loved it. Bravo! This story definitely needed to be told. Thanks!
Such a kickass documentary. Simply awesome!
I absolutely loved this. I always thought that if my dad didn’t move us out of LA in 73 (I was 12), I would have found my way to the skateboard community there. I still love to ride, surf the sidewalk.
TA you are a legend. RIP Grosso
This was awesome !! I met Tony back in 82 or 83 in RI. Fred Smith would come and skate my ramp in Misquamicut with a bunch of his buddies and one day Tony came with him. Tony hung out for a couple days and what a blast it was !! Such a cool experience and memory. Glad he’s still skating and ripping !
how lucky...awesome mate
Awesome much thanks to Sandy and all her support since I was a kid at Sidewalk Surfer Scottsdale Arizona! Sidewalk Surfer Still rocking hard! Best skate shop in Arizona
I got this (skateboard) and I got this (heart) and that's all I need! Love ya Tony! 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
Your memory will live with skateboarding 🛹❤️ Grosso forever
Great reminder of our roots. #grossoforever
This was my childhood. Great memories.
I'm not a slave to drugs alcohol money my cell my card. Just heart and skill. Tony Alva is King!!
Love u TA . Great video best ending ever!
Thank you so much for finally posting this guys at six stair!! I’m so stoked what you guys did with Jeff over the past 10 plus years has been truly unique and amazing work.
Tony Alva was my first deck a gazillion years ago (1980). I was just a kid staring up the wall and the Tony Hawk, Rob Roskopp, Christian Hosoi, and many others caught my eye, but Alva's notorious rebellious attitude and lore won me over. Thank you for the memories.
I was the drum tech for Motorhead England for 9 years for Mikkey Dee I would put Tony Alva stickers on my workbox road case I really appreciate beloved brother Tony Alot much unmeasurable LoVe & honor Alway's his naturally gifted talent is truly inspirational beyond any measurability humbly & kindly...
So glad to see this today. Really gave my old spirit a lift. Grosso forever💗