I first met Jason through skateboarding. I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was '95 and I was with some friends on a road trip visiting California from Colorado. We were in Huntington Beach and we barged in on the Basic bowl. I can't even remember how we found it but we were not invited for sure. I was the first out of our group to peak over the fence. Good news... people are skating. Maybe we can just roll in like we new about the session and were invited.
Once I got in I said hi to some of the skaters waiting in line to skate. Then I started to notice who these guys were. Ricky Styles, Salba, Duane Peters, Remy Stratton, Steve Olson and Jason Jessee! It was heavy to say the least. I was pushed in by Salba and the session was on! Everyone was ripping!
Jason had stayed out of the session for the most part. He was in line but he wasn't getting in. I'd say 30 minutes went by and finally Jason rolls in. Straight to an Invert to fakie. For this of you who skate you know that's not exactly a warm up trick. He looked perfect until his truck was snagged by the coping on the way back in. Fully hung it up and slammed hard. No crying just right back up and back in line. He took a few moments to recover while everyone else skated. Then right back in, straight to the same trick. This time perfect! Then he was done. No more walls were hit, not even on that run. It was a personal battle and he had won.
We skated a while longer and then the session faded and we all went our separate ways. That display of determination and style stuck with me. It would be years before the next time I saw Jason. I've had the privilege to skate with him plenty more times since then. And now I get to call him a friend.
You've all heard the saying "never meet your heroes", they usually let you down. This is one hero of mine that has never let me down. He's a true inspiration and without a doubt the reason I have a Panhead. Thank you Jason Jessee!
-Jasin Phares
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24 comments:
Jason, could you name just one skater from any era whose ability you admire more than any other and is he the same person you would've nominated ten years ago ? Cheers.
whats it like working as an undercover cop?
What's your advice for the dudes trying to get involved in chopping bikes as a natural progression from skateboarding?
What's your favorite story involving guns?
You are right, never meet your heros is normally the truth...but I met JJ in Ventura and he was the coolest, no pretension, just a real person. Rule on Jason!
Would you ever own a Tractor that is not John Deere Green; I am a Moline man myself.
Fuck yeah jason is one of the last stand up righteous dudes you will ever meet.
what your favorite tool in your shop?
Favorite session on board and bike. Which skater(s) stokes you the most now a days? Skate or die, or, ride to live? Favorite album to skate/ride to?
shadow people...allies or enemies?
Still a member of Duke's CC?
Has anyone ever walked up to you face to face and called you a "Skater Fag", and if so what happened to them?
What is your favorite gun, rifle, or shotgun?
Being the celebrity that you are, do you have any stalkers or crazy ex-girlfriends after you?
As an artist did you want to be free to create only to find out everyone steals your passion?
The Black Tibetan influenced alot of people so are you responsible for all this?
How do you stay so fit & trim? Does this hat make me look fat?
Tell me the craziest thing that ever happened to you
How do you feel about being a huge part in the bonding of the skateboard world with the biker world ? And do you still have those up sweeps off your pan when it was blue? Want them ! Cheers!
When is the last time you farted and had to check for a leak?
Ass or titties? Big or small?
Personally, I love The B-52's...Have any guilty pleasures?
Pretty stoked to see the recent skate footage. Have you been surfing lately?
My teeth are fucked, any home remedies for a toothache?
What do you hate more skateboarding or motorcycle culture of the 2000's?
Choppers or restorations?
Whores or housewives?
Ride across the country ____ all by your lonesome or with a group of REALLY COOL CHOPPER dudes ?
Wrapped up or raw doggy?
Kickstart only?
I never skated. I know nothing of that world. How would I be different if I had? Who would Jason Jessee be without it? Why are you such an influence on the world of choppers? Why are all these wieners on instagram but not you?
Stick it to the vag,or sneak it in the ass?
When it comes to choppers... Who's style of bike building have you been digging lately? And what were your influences anytime you've ever built a bike?
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