Jake Phelps Dies at 56; as Thrasher Editor, a Skateboarding Guru

I haven't been a regular page flipper of Thrasher in more than a decade, but Phelps always called them like he saw them, and that kind of raw is the best kind of eulogy/legacy he could have/leave.

Sorry to hear about Jake Phelps. My son went through a lot of skateboards, which kind of coincided with the death of his father. I have pictures saved on my phone of all his busted decks. Of course he worked in a skate shop (and got a discount). He dyed the ends of his hair pink in the fashion of that era. Actually, his hair was black and pink which matched his pink and black DC's. I never really thought of that before. A little community near where we lived built a small skate park and posted a sign that read, NO LOUD MUSIC. So, what was the point? I put together a nice skateboard for my grandson a few years ago (with pink polka-dot trucks). He uses it to push the garbage can to the curb on trash day. I could cry. RIP Jake Phelps. Sounds like it was a pretty good run.

I'm glad to see the NYT acknowledge Jake Phelps' passing... ...I am a "Lifer" who has been skateboarding for over 35 years, and although I have just as ambivalent of a perspective of the man as many do (I worked at Thrasher for a while, so I had the mixed experience of dealing with him on a daily basis for a stint), he is by all means a kindred skate rat for life, and captured every Lifer's unconditional relationship to the ACT of skateboarding better than anyone, when he once wrote (I must paraphrase, but I know I'm close): "You owe everything to skateboarding...skateboarding owes you nothing...all skateboarding owes you is wheel-bite in the rain..."

I'm on the rail about Mr. Phelps. He was borderline abusive but also gave skateboards to kids. He died youngish but it was not a tragic death apparently. His creation, Thrasher, pushed the forefront of the skating subculture, but seemed to persist on a culture of exclusivity and "cool kid" posturing. I give him a 5 out of 10 for his ride. I'm a tough grader.

The Phelper. You were one of a kind. Sorry to see you go Jake — RIP. Whoa, here come the Olympics.

There are good things to say about you, and bad as well. But one thing that can't be disputed is your love for skating and the culture. Your love fiercely protected it and us from the kooks, vultures, and posers. For that and for so much else you've done, we skaters thank you. You will be missed. God probably has a dope ramp. Stay shredding. RIP, Jake.

Wish I'd known him. Thrasher changed my life.

You’ve got to love that people with passion and perseverance can find a career that fulfills them. RIP, Jake.

Another one dying so young! My heart goes out to his family, friends and co-workers. RIP Jake.

•RIP• to the Phelper. Thrasher Mag was a big part of growing up as a skater in Socal. His spirit will always be a part of skateboarding.

RIP Phelps. Thank you for everything.

Nice tribute. But Wait…what happened to Skateboarder magazine??

He's my age; when we were kids, the poly/rubber kind of wheels came out, made our own boards, and slalomed the hills around the neighborhood. This lucky guy got to keep going...RIP braddah.

Thank you phelper for everything. Skate or Die.

Skater to the bone.

So sad.

Jake Phelps was an opinionated man who deeply cared for the sport he and Kevin Thatcher labored to reinvent. He had little patience for superficiality and was about as un-compromised as you can get. Jake had the annoying habit of usually being proven correct in his opinions. He was the ideal arbiter of style and was a creative and decisive editor-in-chief. I count myself fortunate to have worked with him at High Speed Productions and extend my condolences to his family and friends.