Grosso Forever: Japan Love Note: Street Skating | Skate | VANS

The crazy thing about street skating in Japan is that in most cities it is not legal. Despite that jam up Tokyo, Osaka, etc have produced some of the best street skaters on the planet. This Love Note is an expanded version of the interview Jeff Grosso did with Tokyo legend Shin Okada and the T19 crew.

Japan has a long and radical skate history. With so many eyes focused on Tokyo in 2021 Vans wanted to make sure that the rich skate culture and storied history didn’t get lost in the hype of The Games. Japan has a great skate scene that should championed and celebrated long after this moment in history.

This is the last trip the Loveletters crew took with our beloved Jeff Grosso before his passing. Jeff and the crew had a blast meeting the many Japanese skaters from every generation.

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The Tony Alva Story | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | Skate | VANS

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.

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LGBTQ+ Love Note: Extras | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | VANS

While the full-length Loveletter to LGBTQ+ episode is already 36-minutes long, Vans had a ton of additional footage to share after five months of filming that deserves to be seen, as well as a few skaters they missed on the first round. In this final LGBTQ+ Love Note there are some skater-submitted gems that gracefully encapsulate the hard-hitting universal truths, along with the creativity, friendship and raw skate talent from the LGBTQ+ community as well as some Extras, Outtakes and Omissions.

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Loveletter To LGBTQ+ | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | VANS

Vans’ Loveletters To LGBTQ+ was filmed earlier this year, before the passing of legendary skater and host Jeff Grosso, who was a champion for inclusive skateboarding. We believe this message of unity and equality must be told, and that all voices of the LGBTQ+ community deserve to be heard. Grounded in the brand values of inclusivity and being open to everyone, Vans believes this unifying message must be told, and stands in support of the LGBTQ+ Skate Community as we continue to drive positive change. – Vans

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Grosso Forever: The Propeller Vert Sessions | Skate | VANS

With Propeller being the first ever full-length skateboarding film from Vans, there was no question that it needed to pay homage its roots. Opening with an 80’s style backyard ramp session quickly became the plan, but what most don’t know is that Jeff Grosso single-handedly made it happen. From finding the location to assembling the skaters, Jeff became the heart and soul behind the shoot. Here for the first time is a full cut of what went down during those three epic days. This is a tribute to Jeff and everything he brought to our world through his boundless love for skateboarding. Featuring Jeff Grosso, Steve Caballero, Christian Hosoi, Lizzie Armanto and Omar Hassan.
Grosso Forever.

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Grosso Forever: Jeff Grosso’s Birthday Tribute – VANS

The old adage has never rung more true: legends never die. In memory of beloved Vans family member and skateboarding icon, Jeff Grosso, some of Jeff’s closest friends come together to celebrate his life during a virtual birthday gathering.

Grosso leaves behind a prolific legacy of skateboarding history, having touched the lives of skaters of all ages and backgrounds with his cunning commentary, tenacious attitude, and enduring activism for preserving the core. The special ceremony will showcase never-before-seen-footage of Jeff by Greg Hunt from the Vans Propeller vert sessions, birthday edits by Six Stair Productions of personal video dedications from friends and family. Moderated by Chris Nieratko, the event will close with an intimate memorial gathering with respected skate names such as Steve Van Doren, Loveletters to Skateboarding co-creators Rick Charnoski and Buddy Nichols, John Lucero, Steve Olson, Steve Alba and Lizzie Armanto.

Despite the era of social distancing, Vans brings us all together for this unique and truly special moment – a heartfelt ode to many lives lived by a passionate man who loved skateboarding more than anyone. Jeff Grosso, you are missed! – VANS

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Loveletters: The Rowan Special w/Ronnie Sandoval | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | VANS

What is a Caster Disaster? Who gets credit for the first Ollie? First grind on a handrail? Who was Grosso’s favorite skater in 1990? Best 360 flip? In this Special Edition Love Letter Grosso sits down with Vans’ newest signature pro, Rowan Zorilla, and San Pedro’s finest, Ronnie Sandoval, after a day of skating to see how much the youngsters know about this thing called skateboarding.

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