The 15 most loved skaters of all time

Thrasher Magazine, Feb, 2005 by Scott Dawdler

THESE SKATEBOARD SUPERSTARS AREN'T JUST POPULAR. When you're popular, chances are there are just as many people out there in the world who absolutely hate your fuckin' guts. No, these skaters have something much more than plain popularity. Their fame is perpetual, multi-generational, and embraced by their peers and the kids alike. In other words, these skaters are loved. All 15 of 'em.

Neil Blender

Crazy cartoon dogs, cryptic utterances and exquisite trick selection have made this seldom-seen park-era pro the hottest shit on eBay since Beanie Babies. Goes to show you don't have to be friendly or up in everyone's grill to be loved.

Lance Mountain

The first hero of the video age, Lance was the anti-jock ripper all the misfits in the Midwest could look up to. He's also one of the few '80s heroes whose reputation (or frontals) haven't soured significantly in his "legend" years.

Mark Gonzales

Slap's Mark Whiteley has written over 60,000 words describing this man's greatness in 2004 alone. He's quite simply the most revered and worshipped dude to ever step on a stuntwood. It's not the list of tricks he's done, but how he did them.

Geoff Rowley

Everyone likes the little guy, especially when he consistently puts himself in the fire and comes out unsinged. Tough as nails, crazy as a fox and ready for more.

Lee Ralph

This Grizzly Adams stormed American vert skating in the 1980s, invented 10 or so tricks (many with his shoes off), and then disappeared as quickly as he'd arrived. People have been talking about it ever since.

Jason Jessee

In Streets on Fire Jessee told us he "liked to fall on his face," and his head-high methods to fakie proved he wasn't just whistling Dixie. Retiring early, his overt weirdness and strange TV and film appearances have kept the legions intrigued.

James Kelch

All who met Big Dirt were infected with second-hand coolness. He might swipe your girl, sell you a cracked board or sip from your drink, but with Fonz-like charisma it was almost a blessing if you were on the shit end of any of the above.

Matt Hensley

Got an entire generation to shave their heads and buy chain wallets. Retired at his peak, though his subsequent comebacks have lasted longer than his initial run.

Eric Koston

When you're the best and everyone wants your attention it's easy to be jaded and grumpy. Frosty is neither.

Ray Barbee

All smiles and magic feet. Everybody loves Raymond. A remarkably deep bag of tricks with casual smoothness.

Ed Templeton

A major propellant of the modern street era and DIY white trash artist gone big time, Ed's done it his way throughout skating's ups and downs. He also inspired a generation of skaters to scribble down their dreams and get their dicks out.

Time Gavin

So much fun, no one even noticed he stop skating three years before his model got pulled. Today this bloated barbarian signs checks and buys the rounds after laughing al the way into a six-figure income as president the DVS empire.

John Cardiel

Pure power, cat-like craziness and a peerless positivity, Cards is the skater that we all wish we were half of. He's earned across-the-board respect.

Phil Shao

He could do whatever he wanted and didn't care if anyone knew it. He was a pure skate. We miss you, Phil.

Jeff Grosso

His Madonnas and graphics are so good you'll forgive him for stealing your VCR to score smack.

5 MOST LOVE-STARVED SKATERS

Simon Woodstock

The Gallagher of skating, Woodstock drove his early-'90s peers insane with his costumes and prop comedy. His antics earned him a shoe on Vans, his own company, and a record deal before an (inevitable) crash into born-again Christianity.

Josh Kasper

What do you call someone who invents his own fan club and pays out of his pocket to get flown into demos by helicopter? Well, whatever it is, it ain't good.

Nate Sherwood

P-flipping savant, Sherwood accosts everyone in his grasp and calls magazine editors to let them know they've hurt his feelings. Sorry, Nate.

Justin Lynch

Talked shit on Cab in his first interview and couldn't understand why nobody liked him. Took a career-ending clothesline from Jeff Phillips at Munster and hasn't been heard from since.

Jim McCall

Not satisfied with the occasional tour 'tang, his ads included the line: "Chicks: Write Jim direct." Never has a mailbox been so empty.