You know, it struck me today, while looking for the Anthony Sewell photo from Indy 80 that I posted in his memorial thread, that Anthony is gone...and I am really glad I got a chance to see him and rap with him that one last time in Perris.

And seeing this huge outpouring of condolences and people saying "he really influenced me in X way," I have to ask:

Who else meets that criteria for you, and what are you doing about telling them that while you still can (maybe within and outside BMX)?

That, to a large extent, is what Vintage is all about, from the BMX point of view, at least.

So, please...speak on it!

Best,

M

Mike, not sure Im exactly addressing your topic, but I gotta go with DD Leone, our hometown hero. It was so cool travelling to nationals and having at least one rider/pro from La. kick some backside on a regular basis. He and I are pretty cool friends now, and I see him at the local bike shop and local track. Always love listening to him tell those killer '80's stories, etc, I cant say I've yet to express the impression he made on me as a kid, but I know very soon I will get to. I've got a few of his actual race items that I've aquired and will give them to him soon, Im guessing that will be the right time. Claude

Not really old school I guess, but mine would be Billy Griggs. Only met him twice but he was very cool and had some tips for us youngsters ... His bike was always super CLEAN!

Stu,

I looked up to him then as I still do today. To me he is best example of how a person should live their life on and off the track

I have two. Jeff Watson, skatepark hero. He was one of the first and also a HUGE influence on my riding. Still is. I had pics of him everywhere in my room. It was hard because there is not a lot around. I know Jim Cassimus has more unpublished pics and I'd love to see them.
Unfortunately it seems I left it too late to tell him. I replied to a poster on the video of him on Youtube. They claimed to be his niece and informed us of Jeffs passing. I still have no confirmation of that.
My second was Toby Henderson. I don't know what it was about him as a racer/jumper but man he was cool. I loved the Raleigh uniforms and the Hutch too. Just awsome.

Jeff Watson. R.I.P?

For me it was Tommy Brackens; soft spoken, down to earth, and faster than greased moose poop

Over my 8 years racing i met a lot of Great people that influenced me and made me a better person/bmxer...

Billy Steele
Jim Bramer
Mike Crehan
Ronnie Anderson
Earl Bosley
Huey Baker
Keith Burgess
Mike King
Jim Puglin
Darren Zywan
Tom Wagner "Heidelberg BMX"
Bob Malik "Malik's Pedal Shop"

Thank you !

There are so many,

All of the above plus PK, big Rod Beckering, Bubba Hayes with his cool skinny wheels and fast starts, Pistol Pete (saw him in Teeside, UK around '83 - '84 on CW - I remember him blitzing our British Pros, beat Tim March in finals I think), all the US dudes who came over for Kellogs in '84 - still have scary Leary's, B & B Patterson's, Andy Paterson's, Mike Miranda's, Bob Haro's and Clint Miller's autographs. Unfortunately I missed Eric Rupe that day - he was on fire around that time, amazing to watch racing.

There are so many admirable pioneers from the 80's, thankfully many are on here and we can thank them for their positive influences as role models to a younger generation. The early 80's in the UK was dismal with the economic recession, bmx was the real drug for me and many of my friends during that time. I'm sure if it had not been part of our and others lives some may have lost their way.

So, what a great and lasting sport this has been.

The two people that had a great impact on me as far as sports and coaching go are/were Mike Miranda and Joe Baumert. Over a decade later when I started coaching ski racers in USSA I found myself returning to things they'd taught me about attitude back at good old Woodward Camp.

There were several BMX influences for me:

Mike Miranda: probably the one of the coolest guys that I have ever met. Super nice, awesome rider, just all around good guy.

Tommy Brackens: the human dragster, the one rider that probably had the biggest impact on me. My brother and I used to ride around our neighborhood and I would pretend to be Tommy. When I saw him in 2007 at the ABA reunion at the Winternationals, it was like I was a kid all over again. I HAD to get his autograph and a photo!

Steve Veltman: Steve and I are the same age, yet when I first met him in 1983, he was already huge! He had just won the 1982 Amateur and Cruiser titles. I always thought Steve was one of the best riders I have ever seen. Tons of power. I love bringing up the fact that he was the first African American to appear on the Wheaties box (before Michael Jordan and Walter Payton)!

Before moving to Nor-Cal in 80 it was Toby Henderson, Stu, Harry. Living in the bay area we had guys like Frank Post, Brent, Brian, Richie and Ronnie But I would have to say Cecil johns and Terry Tennette as I got to know them as riders as well as personal friends.

My Dad,
Who took me and many others to all the races for so many years. Spent time and money so I could ride and race BMX. I never once heard him complain about picking up kids from their parents big fancy house's ,because mom & dad are too busy, so they could race BMX.

Joe Baker- Baker's Bike Shop

The Wagner's - Heidelberg BMX

Dick Wolfe - Coraopolis Bike & Hobby

My friend Donny - He was like magic on a bike

My friend Chris - R.I.P.

gary haselhorst and tommy brackens: there were alot of local guys but these two had an impact with me. i re- connected with Gary in phoenix it was awsome. we had not seen each other in 22 years. last time i saw gary he was going to Austraila ride a funky bike he called mountain bike(who knew). tommy i hope to see later this year when i make it out west.

Great topic!

When I started out in 1979 in Daytona Beach Florida, I enjoyed/admired trick riders Jeff Watson, Tinker Juarez, then later Bob Haro, Mike Buff and RL Osborn, then a bit later Eddie Fiola. On the BMX side, Stu Thompson, Brent Patterson, Perry Kramer, Greg Hill and Tommy Brackens. I was more into Trick Riding than BMX, but loved both and admired all competitors involved. All that said, my picks from top to bottom are...

Bob Haro
Mike Buff
RL Osborn
Stu Thompson
Eddie Fiola

Take note: All riders were stand up young men. None smoked or drank heavily and all guys conducted themsleves in a manner of respect. Also, make note all the magazines at that time were so positive, no curse words, no drug talk, riders smoking, etc. And the riders look great in uniforms and matching bike. Big thumbs up to magazine owners like Bob Osborn for keeping negative content out of his publications.

Hi, Noob here....

Growing up in the '80's in Detroit (not exactly the hub of the BMX world) my friends and I all idolized the pioneering freestylers of the day, the king (in our eyes) being Eddie Fiola.

Great forum by the way... I'll post some pics of my old bike soon.

Kevin McNeal,
I think it was the 1981 Buds Bmx National, he showed up with just a rental car and his bike. My dad saw him sitting in his car because it was raining (not even knowing who he was) Dad invites him to grab a chair under our canopy, which he did. He spent the rest of the weekend helping my younger brother and I with racing tips. I know he always got a bad rap, but in my eyes he is a class act. Thanks Kevin....

When I was 14 I begged my parents for a gold Team Jag. I got lucky and got one. So naturally Anthony Sewell quickly became my idol. Being from Hawaii I never had the honor of meeting my childhood idol. But, obviously he touched alot of souls before his unfortunate passing. I remember seeing the pic of Anthony tabletopping in one of the magazines. That shot has always been so epic to me. I remember staring at it all the time absorbing every detail.



I have been lazy or complacent lately. You know lying on the couch watching things I DVR'd or spending countless hours on the computer. I hadn't rode for weeks and my interest was falling off. But reading about Anthony's passing made me get off my lazy behind and go ride my BMX bike. It reminded me that life is short and precious and we should embrace it with a smile like Anthony did.

While riding I thought of Anthonys influence on me as a kid and how he impacted so many others. So I rode and jumped with a smile on my face. Mr Sewell, I have never met you and I will never match your style in a tabletop. But, thank you once again for giving me something to strive for.

I'll always have you in mind when I am chasing that elusive tabeltop. RIP Brother.



jk

Gentlemen -

I forgot to add Greg Hill to my list....

Carry on! :-)

all of them. stu, hill, judge, toby, pattersons, grubb, leary, etc.... if it was'nt for everyone we all looked up to back then we would'nt have the sport we love today or the passion we all have for it to this day. for that we should all give any pro that lined up on the gate in the early days huge props. thank you guys.

Great topic Mike.

For me personally, I must say that the person that had the bigest impact for me was a local shop owner by the name of Jim Emerson of Pedalers West in San Fernando California.
I can recall the first time I ventured into the shop and Jim made me feel more than welcome. This was around 1974/75. I remember seeing the bikes he had and I thought 'WOW!!" Over the years, Jim had managed to con me into going to Yarnell with him and actually paid my entry fees for my very first race. He also took me to Lemon Tree in Mission hills Ca. and got me to race down in the basement on the concrete with the wooden jumps and berms or lack of berms...I worked for Jim and his partner Mort during the summer and around Christmas to help with all the builds and repairs. I vividly remember that Jim always had some sort of smart-ass remark but that was the way he was/is. He was there for us locals not only as a shop owner but as an adult that we really trusted. I have had some long talks with him in the shop after closing.
Jim remained a true friend of mine til he left So.Cal around 1989 and headed back to Texas. I do call him on occasion to see how the old man is doing from time to time.

As far as racers go, i must say that would be David Clinton when he rode for Shimano. I was at the Teen center in Van Nuys Ca. It was a hot day and I was at the snack bar and was short like a dime or so for a Coke and he bought me one. I was stoked!! Hopefully one day i can repay him for his gesture of buying the fat little freckled face kid a Coke...LOL.

I was a big fan of BMX freestyle in the 80s & I was a Boy Scout so Ron Wilkerson (Eagle Scout) was my guy

Greg Hill. He was my first favorite pro. I had a chance to meet him several times over the year, but in 82 or 83 was the first the Elkart nationals. Still have the pic somewhere at my parents and need to dig it out. Then as I got a little older and better, I loved the interviews where he talked about focus and how he trained.

Tommy Brackens was always my favorite. In the late 80's I raced enough nationals that he got used to me always saying hi to him and after awhile he would say hi to me or wave as I would ride past and I thought that was the coolest thing. Looking back I think its really cool that he would take the time to say hi or wave to some no name kid from Ohio.

Here is a picture from South Park from around 85 or 86

Amen to that brother. If it wasn't for my dad and his size 13 boot, I would have never raced. He made me a pro lawn mower to earn a set of rims or tires for Saturday at the races.
My dad, Harry, Stu and my buds who never had the chance to race are my heros. My buds who never had the opportunity were always there cheering me on.
DJ

david clinton, he had the look, power, speed and could jump. his kawasaki tabletop jump pic defines bmx for me. and he's a nice guy.

TIM JUDGE... HE WAS HUTCH TO ME.

mine was SST....his name was everywhere...i got him to sign my quad last year at the grands...

The usual Pros - Stu, Harry, the OM. the Pattersons etc etc.

Oz was a massive influence - as I guess he was on us all. And through his mag, Buff, RL & Haro.

On a more unusual note just loved those pics of Seth Buccieri and his one footer slider wheelies. So cool! He featured in some of the hardback BMX books downunder too on his blue GT.

+1

Pure class

Denny Davidow.....it was the first pro interveiw i ever read. Torker.....the bikes in the adds, i looked at them for hours. I have to agree with kurt......The usual Pros - Stu, Harry, the OM, Hill. the Pattersons etc etc.
Oz was a massive influence - as I guess he was on us all. And through his mag, Buff, RL & Haro.
I could only get the magazines from the U.S.A....so i knew more about those pros than the ones here. You'd here names be thrown around like a rumor at the track....Who....mick wiltshire....perter wert....pretty fast you say........next week you'd be racin them. I'd allready be psyked out. It would be like racing against a legend you just heard about.....Anyone that rode a bmx was an inspiration.

...

Stu Thomson I was at an ABA national at I beleive Lawrence PA. I was trying to turn expert but was 2nd in every Moto so in the last Moto tried clearing three woops for the lead to qualify but when I landed it all went wrong.Stu came over to scrape me up and said you would of won nice race.

Very good story. Stu? 'Member that one?

Tommy Brackens and Gary Ellis.

Having these two guys as teammates was awesome.

Tommy is still my favorite person to talk to. We just laugh non-stop when chatting on the phone.

I looked up to Stu for just being the Man. Mike Buff was a favorite because he was always doing something crazy. Tim Judge and Andy Patterson were the guys who taught me about style. Mike Dominguez was a favorite because he was a natural at riding. Lastly, I want to add all the magazine photographers for their perspective and knack for getting the action in a still shot and showing the radicality of BMX.

First heroes were Harry Leary and Eddy King - Something about the Diamond Back uniforms and the snake on the headtube made those two look bad-a$$. I can still picture them racing at the Whistler World Championships together.

Next was Pistol Pete - The reason that I bought an 87 Group 1 RS1. I remember hoping that his bike would break at the 88 Akron National and that he would ask to borrow mine for the main. I might of had an overactive imagination!! LOL!

And finally, Gork and Chris Moeller - these two along with BMX Action in the late 80's were the reason I could go to school and feel like I was a part of a secret, cooler world that nobody else at school had any idea about. I wore my Life's a Beach gear with pride and my Bad Boy Club jacket was my Letterman's jacket!!

DD Leone.

DD was an inspiration for all BMXers in Louisiana in the 80's. I was fortunate to be able to travel to nationals with DD in the mid 80's. The biggest thing he taught me was putting in "your" best lap regardless of who was on the gate. I still remind myself of this before each race and it helps me put forth my best effort against the best in my class.

One day, I hope he makes the ABA HOF. He belongs there.

Denny Davidow! He was the closest thing to a Filipino on the national scene and since my uncle knew his family,it was a big deal to me. I would show off his pics at school and be like,"Yeah,he's a friend of the fam's." lol. (yes,I am Filipino). Plus,his Basset cruisers just looked so dope!

Denny Davidow raced in Hawaii during one of the South Pacific Nationals here and killed it. There was even a rumor for a while that he was from Hawaii. He looks like a Hawaiian so we tried claiming him as our own I guess.

jk

^^^^
Ha,ha. Same here! We figure,well he's brown and he ain't Mexican....he HAS to be one of us! lol. I do believe he was part Hawaiian though

I have quite a few...

My Dad "Pops" as my kids call him -- My dad gave everything he had to me and bmx, everything. Hell we even lived in our van out side his gas station, so we would have enough money to go to our first grands. He only asked for one thing in return, and that was that I have fun, no matter what.

Hal Marshman -- Hal....what can I say, He was my first coach, this local wicked fast teenager who could have easily just blown me off, took the time (a few years) to teach me what he knew, and it took that long because he knows a lot.....Thank Hal!

Kevin Kelly --- Class act all of the way, he was really the first person that proved to me that a local guy can kick butt and win nationals and get in the mags that we all bought at the local store. We traveled all around the country together, his family and mine...great times.

Mike King --- I really don't have to say anything about this guy, but I always wanted to be like him...so damm smooth...

Eric Carter -- He just kicked butt, man I watched him hit the gate quite a few times in high pressure races (like grands semi's and mains) and still keep his cool and pick em off one by one and win the race by 3 bikes...he was and is truly amazing!!!

Bill Prince -- The best coach that a teenager could ever have, this dude was just awesome, ran and coached some of the best east coast teams in bmx and I was proud to be on 3 of them!!!!!

Jason Bruno -- Former WP team mate, he was very quick, but some how alwayws had crappy luck at the worst times, now matter what happened he always had a smile on his face, that is something that I will never forget.

Chris Miller -- Chris was my personal physical / mental trainer for a few years and a WP team mate, if it wasn't for Chris the "Blizzard of Ozz" would not have been!!!!

Deanna Edwards -- Just super fast, great attitude, great person, great family!!!

Glen Seelenbrandt -- One of the best dirt jumpers to come out of the NE, and super quick, he was a few years younger that I, but I always looked up to glen..BIG TIME...he also taught me how to swim on his parents lake at the age of 13!!!!

Robert Lincourt -- I think that Rob and I should have been brothers, very much alike, clawed our way too the top and stayed there untill we exploded....lol


I never really had a fav pro, I guess that I always cheered for the underdog...you know the one's that are always over looked....

By the way Thanks T. Andrews THAT WAS WAY COOL OF YOU BUD!!!!

Greg Hill
Pistol Pete Loncarevich
Tinker Juarez

Amatuer

Jeff Schofield

Ronnie Anderson, He was very agressive and always rode all out. I liked his off track antics also. Yes i was very easily influnced. I had his 1 plate and mrc jersey at one time but they got ripped off.

How about Pete Kelley from Black mountain? Awsome father figure

Geez, GREAT topic! Hard to determine a few.

Mike Miranda- Took me to play golf when i was just a local and he was in town.

Greg Hill- I still dig this guy today and get to talk now and then, CLASS Act.

Big Daddy- Dude, what can I say here. His whole career has been BMX, Family and God. Great example to follow. I'm 40 now and had pic made with himagain just this past NBL Grands. I love this guy.

The 'OM' Scot Briethaupt- despite all the ups and downs, I wouldnt be alive if BMX had not been organized and I had chance meeting with him and PK at a national as a teen. Mark my words, he'll be back for sure.

Got to meet Stu again after many years away, he's still awesome.

Racoon Lips and Buffy let me ride a brief second with them in Memphis Tenn during a show, Will NEVER forget that moment. I never even was considerd a freestyler!

Always looked up to Pro's that werent stuck up jerks! Gotta set good example for the kids ya know.


Trey

You know.. it seems kinda hard to pin down on the surface...
all the pros, factory teams.. etc..
Pistol Pete...
Ron Walker
Tennete

I was a Haro/MCS guy.. so you know.. all the usual's..

Bit it immediately hit me who were my biggest influences...

Jimmy Levan... not Jimmy now.. jimmy then... we were roughly the same age... i was a beginner , and novice... but he i guess took me in.. because i did have a passion.. not a passing phaze...
I became somewhat part of the Local crew when I was around.. he taught me how to loosen up... how to jump.. etc..
And his family... Awesome people then and now!!!!


Hans Nissen....... I was and always will be a nobody on the old BMX circut.. but i did race nationals a lot...
And at most races.. for some reason, Hans took to me and my Family... always just chilled.. said Hi... etc.. and at more than a few races.. he just stayed in or at our canopy... always giving me pointers and advice..


Shelby James........ i wanted to be just like him.... hardly ever heard his name second from the announcer..
The Tn race.. at Percy Priest lake... Was the one and only Time I was ever on a gate wih him... a practice obviously....
I was so nerveous and excited.... I wanted to see what I had down the first straight... it was practice.. who did more than that????
Well riders ready.. watch the light..... rick.. pick up your bike after flipping the gate!!!!!!!!!

So yeah I can go with the usual.. common.. expected....
but those 3.. and my best friend at the time..
Ronnie Ellman....
who stood out most to me!

Mike Poulson - Great guy, got to ride with him BITD at Woodward BMX Camp in PA....

Stu, Brian and Brent Patterson

The Plywood Hoods....Great bunch of guys....

A friend just sent me this pic.

Denny Davidow was a favorite for many of the Hawaii Kids. In 1980 Team Safari went from Hawaii to race in Anaheim. This is Jesse Allen and Marc Kawakami with Denny Davidow. I remember Jesse coming home and being so stoked he got to meet one of his hero's.

jk

In the 80's I looked up to all the usual suspects...Hill, Thomsen, Leary, King, etc....but looking back the BMX people that had the biggest impact on me were Hampton Va local parents and riders. Mike Rich, Mr. Hobbs, Mr. and Billy Feamster, Mr. Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Trombetta, JD (Popeye) Mertens, Mr and Dana Meredeth.

Great people.

Joe Baumert is a wonderful guy. In addition to being so sincere, he's a caring dad. Thumbs up!