VIOLET/LIFE

Life Skateboards was started in the early ’90s by pro skater Ron Allen after leaving H-Street. The name of the company came from De La Soul’s track This Is a Recording 4 Living In a Fulltime Era (L.I.F.E). The team included Sean Sheffey, John Reeves, John Deago, Kien “Donger” Lieu, and Ron Allen himself—just to name a few.

Life dropped their defining video, A Soldier’s Story, in 1991. The video was gritty and unfiltered, introducing Sean Sheffey in his breakthrough part that closed the video and helped cement Life as a company.

Life Skateboards was active roughly from 1990 until about 1993.

Now in 2025, Violet has teamed up with Life’s creator Ron Allen to release shirts and boards featuring the original Life shape and the iconic logo that Ron drew himself when he started the company.

Appearances by Ron Allen, Troy Gipson, Patrick O’Mara, Kris Brown and Mike Ward.

Shop the Collection HERE.

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Ron Allen | The Nine Club – Episode 314

Ron Allen discusses getting his first skateboard in 1974, his first sponsor Gullwing Trucks, skating in his first contest, getting on Vision Street Wear, how much his first pro check was for, leaving Vision for H-Street & filming the “Shackle Me Not” video, starting Life Skateboards with Mike Ternasky, Sean Sheffey in the Life video “A Soldier’s Story”, starting Fun Skateboards, his Krooked guest board & video part, being “babysat” by Stacy Peralta and much more!

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Street Plant ‘s Joey Jett ‘s The Dream Skateboarding Demo – Charmcity

Charmcity Skatepark and Street Plant Pro Joey Jett premiered his The Dream video at Du Burns Sports Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Jason from the Charmcity Skatepark provided their demo ramp which was sponsored by Christopher Schaefer Clothier. Chris was also on the Drums providing some tunes with his band Charmony. Mike Vallely was on hand signing autographs while Baltimore’s own Rodney Jones shredded the ramp with Legendary ripper Ron Allen!!!! Brando the Commando did a great job MCing the event. This clip was filmed and edited by Jason Chapman and the song was provided by Charmony!

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