clothesline

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Vans Book Signing Powerhouse Arena

Words - Derek Rinaldi

Photos - Felipe Lara

Hey, hey, hey... Give the people what they want/ Well, it's been said before, the world is a stage/ A different performance with every age/ Open the history book to any old page/  Bring on the lions and open the cage. The Kinks 1981

Steve Van Doran recalls his dad as a ‘doodler’, who one day drew what would be known as the ‘jazz stripe’ on a desktop pad. That stripe was first sewn onto a Vans shoe back in 1977 and is one of the most recognizable logos worldwide.

In the skateboard world, names like Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva, and Steve Caballero have become synonymous with the brand. Most pictures from in the early 80’s punk shows saw Henry Rollins and Ian Mackaye sporting Vans on stage, as were most of the on lookers hanging from the rafters or stage diving in packed basements or VFW halls.

Through the years Vans has weathered the turbulent ups and down of the skateboard industry and of economies in general and has stood the test of time, remaining consistent providing us all with a lasting imprint and we thank them for that.

Last week Steve Van Doren, Tony Alva and Steve Caballero were in Brooklyn, signing copies of ‘Vans: Off The Wall’. Check out the Vans site to buy it online.