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"Rocco went off and did what he did. Obviously, he was quite successful. People often ask if I regret walking away from that. Not at all. Because the way I am and the way he was towards people, like the “Dear George” ad? And some of the things he did with the younger riders on his team? I would’ve never allowed that shit to happen. It would’ve been a different company because I would’ve stopped all that.
I always thought there was something a little creepy about Rocco, too. Not to say that I didn’t like him, but when you think about all the energy he put into World and all the rad stuff he put out, just to sell the company and never be heard from again? That’s not a skater, dude. It’s actually kind of a waste."
-John Lucero / Chrome Ball
Idk John, seems pretty skater to me. Or at least it doesn’t seem antithetical to the idea of a skateboarder - professional or otherwise.
Secured his giant bag of cash when he could and went and enjoyed his life.
Not like he was going to immediately start a new World Industries board co / edgy magazine or company.
Like he points out , he poured so much energy and effort into those companies it was hardly a waste at all.
At the end of the day the record speaks. George Powell stayed in skateboarding invested and continued to innovated and promote new skaters.
Lucero and Black Label always pushed a diff image, especially in the 2000s.
Where was Rocco?
I understand the contributions both Lucero and George Powell's companies have made to skateboarding.
I have
always been a fan of Black Label and a lot of their notably odd/different skaters. Their full length vids are up there alongside Zero videos in my mind as all time greats. (At least they had an identity / cohesive team which Powell either lacked or squandered for most of their last 25 years).
I just don't agree with the parts I bolded of Lucero's quote. Specifically he mentions the obvious passion and effort from Rocco and his companies (which is to also say nothing about the cultural impact he had) and then goes on to suggest that because he isn't in the
business of skateboarding anymore that that somehow makes him not a/less of a skateboarder.
I know Lucero was still actively skating as he's gotten older- he had some driveway / home ramp footage in some later BL videos, and that was nice to see. I know zero about how much time George Powell or Rocco have spent on a skateboard in their later years - but I also don't think that knowledge would change my perception of this nebulous idea of how legitimate their claim to the title of
skater is.