Remembering Jeff Phillips

Remembering Jeff Phillips

One of the raddest guys ever.

Jeff in defiance. SUAS 89 Thanks to Vern for the photo.

I didn't really want to get into the details of his death but, I have answered it so many times in emails to skaters who want to know what happened.....It pains me to tell you....He shot himself on x-mas day 1993. I'll remember that day forever. The report in Rolling Stone labels him as troubled with his skatepark, his girlfriend, drugs.....I don't like to think about it. Dig up that issue to learn more. I like to remember him by the photos below." Rob

"In 1985, I quit college, sold all my books and flew stand by to Dallas, Texas. When I got there I managed to make it to the Clown Ramp where I resided, (on the deck),for the next few months. During this time, I was awoken at 3am on more than a few occasions by the almighty Jeff Phillips demanding a session. I was constantly amazed at his powerful and innovative skating. I wish he was still around." Rob

Art Godoy watches as Jeff pulls a fronside grap fakie thruster on the Clown Ramp. "During our time at the Clown ramp me and my friends brian,(mfc),and erik,(fuct), would have contests to see who would be the dirtiest, since we had no access to showers. Brian won by wearing the same pair of socks for about 3 months." Rob
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Phillips throwing his signature move-the frontside boneless at the Alabama contest in 1986. His patented spray painted skull helmet can now be bought at any skateshop in the country...He was a leader...
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Whenever Jeff came to a session, he would take over. He would shake the deck and smash the coping. Backside air at the Hanger in Charleston "He was definitely one of my idols." Rob
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Nobody could do frontside airs like Jeff. Mobile-'87.

F/S tail grab at his park in '91

His move. The Phillips 66.

thanks to Geoff for the photos!

Jeff throwing a powerful invert at the Virginia Beach pro/am in 1985. These were the years of the Hawk/Hosoi contest wars. Jeff proved himself to be better on this day and put himself on the map as one of the best. Everyone on the east coast remembers this contest. Phillips was ruling!!!
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He went big on everything he did. This ollie at Le Grand Bournand in France in '89 was exactly that-big.
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I had to put this photo of Jeff from V.B. in just because of the sheer power that it reveals.

"When we heard the news of his death, I was destroyed. Having spent so much time with him on tour, at contests, sessions and just hanging out made it really hard to believe that he was gone. I'll remember him forever." Rob

This was the Del Mar contest that Jeff threw his helmet into the crowd during his run....

Invert at the Arlington pool.

I remember skating this pool with Groholski, Buddy Carr, Bernie O'dowd, Jeff and a couple other guys. The cops rolled up and we all bailed across the highway. I was right behind Bernie halfway across the 8 lane (I think) highway and he turns around and starts running back the other way!...I look up and there's an 18 wheeler beeming down at me...thought I was gonna get plowed...We hide under the overpass for a while and then bail to our cars, I still blame Buddy for not being stealth in the pool and getting us spotted!! That pool was sick though. Inverts, airs.....rad.

Arlington pool

More Arlington pool

Jeff chilling at his house.

Jeff layed up after a slam. Thanks to Mark van der eng for the photos!!