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Fireside BMX Chat Ep. 1 - Damian Fulton Talks 80s Toys, BMX, + - Beachside - Audio Theater - Marvel
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- Video ID
vtVr6GBJtlM- Published
- 2025-03-06
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- Public
- Duration
- 34:18
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- YouTube automatic caption
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Fireside BMX Chat: Episode 1 w/ Damian X Fulton - Audio Theater In this episode, Kyle and Damian reflect on their friendship and charity work. The two are also responsible for entertaining Kyle's daughter - Anne-Marie, while enjoying a relaxing evening at the beach with the warmth of a bonfire. Damian also shares his insight into BMX legend Harry Leary and during this episode the dynamic duo, plus one, also discuss: - Diamondback - Kuwahara - SE - Flight Pads - Boss BMX - BMX Plus - BMX HOF - SCG Shoes - ABA/USA BMX - Supercross - GT - Huffy - Mattel - Marvel - Todd Lyons - Tim Judge - Bob Haro - Eddie Fiola - Greg Hill - Tommy Brackens - Eddy King - John Kerr - Patterson Brothers - Stu Thompson Just press the I believe button. This isn't a studio project. Regardless, thank you for your time. Associated links can be found below: - Radical Rick: https://radicalrickbmx.com/ - Damian Fulton Art: https://www.damianfultonart.com/ The secrets of the G.O.A.T may be gone but the stories can last forever. Will you join us? Lititz BMX Presents a Special Seaside Bonfire Conversation with Damian X. Fulton: A Personal and Insightful Discussion on BMX Legends, Damian’s Eclectic Work History, and the Future of BMX Culture in a Fireside BMX Chat (Podcast). The conversation dives deep into Damian’s journey and touches on his association with BMX Plus!, Masters of the Universe, Mattel, offering personal insights, and even sharing his experience positioning himself as a “hoity-toity creative director” in the world that nearly parallels the Mad Men. Damian speaks candidly about BMX legend Harry Leary, who passed away nearly six months ago. “45 years of being woven with Harry,” Damian reflects, “I know that is a weird way of saying it, but it's what I just heard.” He goes on to share fond memories of Leary’s legendary career, remarking, “Harry was one of these mythic characters… He was on top for a long time… The guy was a winner…” - What, 50 years? Yeah… Amazing. Listeners will get a firsthand account of Harry’s unmatched legacy and personal anecdotes that shed light on the bond shared between the two BMX icons. “We’re thrilled to have Damian on this podcast and share his personal perspective on BMX and his experiences with Harry Leary,” said Kyle A. Huffman, Founder at Lititz BMX. “This is a conversation that both BMX and 80’s fans won’t want to miss, filled with history, laughter, and inspiring insights.” 📚 About Lititz BMX Lititz BMX is an independent BMX preservation project dedicated to documenting and preserving the people, bikes, artifacts, race history, and stories that shaped the sport. What began as a private collection has grown into an expanding digital archive featuring hundreds of artifacts, rider profiles, interviews, educational resources, and historical research spanning BMX’s earliest days through today. Every artifact tells a story. Every rider leaves a legacy. Every piece of BMX history deserves to be preserved. Each recording helps preserve BMX history by documenting the people, artifacts, and stories that might otherwise be lost to time. 🔗 Discover More in the Archive This recording is one chapter in the story of the Lititz BMX Archive. Whether you're researching BMX history, rediscovering a favorite rider, or exploring the stories behind the artifacts, there's always something new waiting in the archive. 🏁 Explore Lititz BMX https://www.lititzbmx.com 📚 Explore the Complete Archive https://sites.google.com/view/lititzbmxinventorylist/ ⭐ Featured Archive Highlights 🔹 BMX in Media - Movies - E.T. https://sites.google.com/view/lititzbmxinventorylist/in-entertainment/bmx-in-the-media/movies/e-t-movies 🔹 Musicians Who Ride - Vin Rock https://sites.google.com/view/lititzbmxinventorylist/in-entertainment/musicians-who-bmx-or-ride/vin-rock-musicians 🔹 Rider Profiles - Todd Lyons https://sites.google.com/view/lititzbmxinventorylist/learning-resources/profiles/rider-profiles/todd-lyons-rider-profiles The Lititz BMX Archive is independently developed and maintained. Sharing recordings, identifying artifacts, contributing historical information, and connecting riders with the archive are some of the best ways to help preserve BMX history. • Museum-quality BMX artifacts • BMX team and manufacturer history • Vintage BMX memorabilia and catalogs • International BMX history • Educational resources and historical research • Original photographs, videos, and documents • Original Lititz BMX media productions • Restoration projects and behind-the-scenes stories New artifacts, rider profiles, interviews, and historical resources are added regularly as the Lititz BMX Archive continues to grow. #bmx #bmxlife #marvel #archive #bikelife #80s #80scartoons
Transcript
hey Damen Damen over here Damen Kyle how are you I'm good man I Damen Kyle how are you I'm good man I can't believe you found the perfect spot can't believe you found the perfect spot thanks for getting the logs going you thanks for getting the logs going you have the fire blazing and everything oh have the fire blazing and everything oh you brought your daughter what's her you brought your daughter what's her name this is Ann Marie I think it's so name this is Ann Marie I think it's so cool that you brought her down here I cool that you brought her down here I mean what a beautiful place it's just a mean what a beautiful place it's just a nice little Chill Spot and I appreciate nice little Chill Spot and I appreciate you taking a ride down you got me out of you taking a ride down you got me out of my studio I've been painting like crazy my studio I've been painting like crazy oh no probably notice that you can see oh no probably notice that you can see this pain on the side of my face I mean this pain on the side of my face I mean it gets all over I wasn't going to say it gets all over I wasn't going to say anything to be honest with you hey anything to be honest with you hey that's art that is true it's not an that's art that is true it's not an accident Custom Design right there right accident Custom Design right there right I called you down here to I know we've I called you down here to I know we've talked a little bit about our past etc talked a little bit about our past etc etc but you've really been there since etc but you've really been there since the beginning of this and you took a the beginning of this and you took a chance on I'm a big fan of practicing chance on I'm a big fan of practicing gratitude so thank gratitude so thank welcome so I I'm getting ready to run welcome so I I'm getting ready to run another charity and this time it's with another charity and this time it's with one of Harry L's really good friends one of Harry L's really good friends from the modern from the modern era and okay my Prime era was 87 to 93 I era and okay my Prime era was 87 to 93 I was kind of trying to do the numbers oh was kind of trying to do the numbers oh good good years they were fun and I I good good years they were fun and I I was eight years old in was eight years old in 1987 wow but we don't have insight into 1987 wow but we don't have insight into a lot of early years like you might and a lot of early years like you might and I was hoping that maybe you can give me I was hoping that maybe you can give me a little insight in to Harry ly it what a little insight in to Harry ly it what you may or may not know of him so that I you may or may not know of him so that I can better understand him to help run can better understand him to help run this new charity this new charity event well here's what I can tell you I event well here's what I can tell you I was really fortunate I've been drawing was really fortunate I've been drawing radical Rick and the radical Rick and the magazine and occasionally different magazine and occasionally different advertising agencies or bike companies advertising agencies or bike companies would say Hey you know we need an would say Hey you know we need an illustration for our ad or we need a illustration for our ad or we need a poster for this event and this little poster for this event and this little advertising agency in Long Beach called advertising agency in Long Beach called me and said hey you know what would you me and said hey you know what would you think about coming over and working with think about coming over and working with us full-time I said I don't know us full-time I said I don't know anything about advertising I hate ads anything about advertising I hate ads they wreck the magazines and they said they wreck the magazines and they said well you know you might think about it well you know you might think about it because it actually pays bills and I was because it actually pays bills and I was such a you know Hustler freelancing sure such a you know Hustler freelancing sure I thought how nice that would be cuz I I thought how nice that would be cuz I was a young parent was a young parent sure and and so I took my first job ever sure and and so I took my first job ever at an ad agency and one of their clients at an ad agency and one of their clients was Diamondback oh okay and my role was was Diamondback oh okay and my role was that Executives who would talk with that Executives who would talk with people who ran business and then our people who ran business and then our Executives would come in and go okay we Executives would come in and go okay we need a really cool idea we need to do need a really cool idea we need to do this or that help raise awareness of a this or that help raise awareness of a bike or a product or just a brand bike or a product or just a brand advertising for Diamond Back In general advertising for Diamond Back In general we also had kahara we had did SE for a we also had kahara we had did SE for a while uh we had other non-bite while uh we had other non-bite categories but anyway so Harry I knew categories but anyway so Harry I knew Harry I knew I got to give you full Harry I knew I got to give you full disclosure here Kyle I might have met disclosure here Kyle I might have met Harry two or three times and that's Harry two or three times and that's mainly because I was in the either the mainly because I was in the either the opposes of BMX Plus or I was at this opposes of BMX Plus or I was at this agency and my glimpse into the world of agency and my glimpse into the world of BMX I had ridden bikes my whole life I BMX I had ridden bikes my whole life I love bikes I still have a ton of bikes love bikes I still have a ton of bikes everywhere but Harry lirry was one of everywhere but Harry lirry was one of these mythic these mythic characters you know think about it the characters you know think about it the career above bmxer is only about three career above bmxer is only about three or four years sure what was great about or four years sure what was great about Harry was he was on top for a long time Harry was he was on top for a long time the guy was a winner and he was the face the guy was a winner and he was the face of Diamondback so a lot of the ads we of Diamondback so a lot of the ads we would feature him I knew Harry's would feature him I knew Harry's reputation you know everybody wants to reputation you know everybody wants to create a Mythic icon for their brand create a Mythic icon for their brand yeah and obviously Stu was the guy for yeah and obviously Stu was the guy for huffy and throughout the years Harry was huffy and throughout the years Harry was that face and then Eddie King started that face and then Eddie King started getting great you know was fast there's getting great you know was fast there's different phases but sure yeah Harry was different phases but sure yeah Harry was on top for a long time yeah I'm trying on top for a long time yeah I'm trying to think of who else in any sport I to think of who else in any sport I guess besides BMX would have that guess besides BMX would have that longevity in their sport I mean what 50 longevity in their sport I mean what 50 years is amazing and I have a hard time years is amazing and I have a hard time imagining who beats that the other thing imagining who beats that the other thing about Harry was he was iconic in that about Harry was he was iconic in that period so other manufacturers of period so other manufacturers of products non-diamond back they would products non-diamond back they would co-sponsor him and as a result Harry co-sponsor him and as a result Harry Larry showed up in other people's ads Larry showed up in other people's ads for example joar pads for years we had for example joar pads for years we had joar pads I designed the logo I don't joar pads I designed the logo I don't know if you remember joar at all they know if you remember joar at all they were the pad to have for years and years were the pad to have for years and years before flight I slided a bunch of before flight I slided a bunch of artwork to them and paint and then they artwork to them and paint and then they became ads and posters and I would became ads and posters and I would always put Harry in them I remember one always put Harry in them I remember one time there was this I I don't know whose time there was this I I don't know whose concept this was but it was a painting concept this was but it was a painting of a giant johar handlebar pad flying of a giant johar handlebar pad flying through the sky uhuh and on it was like through the sky uhuh and on it was like Tim judge and Harry and trying to think Tim judge and Harry and trying to think who else was in it a bunch of the pros who else was in it a bunch of the pros at that time and down below there was at that time and down below there was guys sort of evil silhouetted BMXers guys sort of evil silhouetted BMXers shooting at them you know trying to shooting at them you know trying to knock him off the pad but you know joar knock him off the pad but you know joar was always on top I have no idea what it was always on top I have no idea what it meant but yeah so Harry had a meant but yeah so Harry had a residual power beyond a pop power he was residual power beyond a pop power he was a celebrity in that world yeah a celebrity in that world yeah recognizable I mean nobody looked like recognizable I mean nobody looked like him he was as white as the driven snow him he was as white as the driven snow with his little you know tow head white with his little you know tow head white hair kind of comb over he had and he was hair kind of comb over he had and he was going bald when he was in his early 20s going bald when he was in his early 20s yeah so he had a look that was instantly yeah so he had a look that was instantly identifiable you have to realize that identifiable you have to realize that what's so old bikes were Diamond frame what's so old bikes were Diamond frame tubular Forks they were pretty much a tubular Forks they were pretty much a parody product and you could argue that parody product and you could argue that maybe some had better components or some maybe some had better components or some had some proprietory it was a freestyle had some proprietory it was a freestyle bike it might have the gyro head or bike it might have the gyro head or something and you can some proprietory something and you can some proprietory designs but pretty much what gave the designs but pretty much what gave the brand the personality was the writers AB brand the personality was the writers AB oh my gosh they PA if you're were a kid oh my gosh they PA if you're were a kid you're a good writer your dream was to you're a good writer your dream was to be a factory wrer yeah and then if be a factory wrer yeah and then if you're a factory writer and you could you're a factory writer and you could actually make money you'd be writing actually make money you'd be writing anyway right and then on top of that if anyway right and then on top of that if you happen to be the poster child for you happen to be the poster child for that brand you were recognizable that brand you were recognizable everywhere you went there might be other everywhere you went there might be other writers that they were on your heels but writers that they were on your heels but obviously it went hand in hand that obviously it went hand in hand that Harry was a Harry was a tenacious competitive writer that won tenacious competitive writer that won and he became one of those fa is a and he became one of those fa is a darling in the BMX World darling isn't darling in the BMX World darling isn't the right word I mean he was a bad dude the right word I mean he was a bad dude he was as competitive as they came as he was as competitive as they came as strong as an ax squatty wasn't very tall strong as an ax squatty wasn't very tall he was fiercely competitive I always he was fiercely competitive I always kind of had that same thought that he kind of had that same thought that he was ridiculously strong right like I've was ridiculously strong right like I've seen pictures of him and I'm like oh my seen pictures of him and I'm like oh my goodness I've heard his training goodness I've heard his training regiment or different versions of it and regiment or different versions of it and it's just tremendous but I forgot who it's just tremendous but I forgot who said it recently in one of the podcasts said it recently in one of the podcasts that they said they believe he was that they said they believe he was underpowered and I said that's kind of underpowered and I said that's kind of the first time I've ever heard that one the first time I've ever heard that one but I heard that wow he was part of I but I heard that wow he was part of I think very few writers had the notoriety think very few writers had the notoriety kind of tidbit is not everybody got to kind of tidbit is not everybody got to see these guys ride well you had to be see these guys ride well you had to be so fortunate if you were a fan sure so fortunate if you were a fan sure those Pros never came rarely would come those Pros never came rarely would come ever to a local track yeah you know ever to a local track yeah you know unless that track staged a national or a unless that track staged a national or a grand or something like that grand or something like that was part of the Ava circuit so it was was part of the Ava circuit so it was very difficult for you to actually see very difficult for you to actually see these people in real life so their these people in real life so their imagery ads and magazines they test ride imagery ads and magazines they test ride a bike sometimes they just became a bike sometimes they just became legendary yeah they became Heroes to legendary yeah they became Heroes to these kids an example I'll give you is these kids an example I'll give you is if you're a NBA fan you love basketball if you're a NBA fan you love basketball you have your guide team you root for you have your guide team you root for yeah it was the same thing as that but yeah it was the same thing as that but kids that wrote BMX maybe weren't kids that wrote BMX maybe weren't interested in traditional sports like interested in traditional sports like football but their passion was BMX so football but their passion was BMX so whoever was hot in BMX they became the whoever was hot in BMX they became the icon they became the equivalent of a icon they became the equivalent of a Teen Idol for a girl you got a upage Teen Idol for a girl you got a upage spread they would rip that out kids spread they would rip that out kids would rip that out and put her on their would rip that out and put her on their their wall and and I tore through their wall and and I tore through magazine I get that yep you mentioned magazine I get that yep you mentioned you're kind of talking about and I grew you're kind of talking about and I grew up in a fortunate situation not knowing up in a fortunate situation not knowing it and I did the three season for right it and I did the three season for right the baseball basketball football I was the baseball basketball football I was never allowed to race but I was on my never allowed to race but I was on my BMX bike every day for oh years down at BMX bike every day for oh years down at the river trails and exactly who was at the river trails and exactly who was at the river trails with me at that time the river trails with me at that time frame none other than the Livermore boss frame none other than the Livermore boss team so I got to watch those guys a lot team so I got to watch those guys a lot I was bored by what they were able to do I was bored by what they were able to do I couldn't ever imagine doing such a I couldn't ever imagine doing such a thing but it was it was a really cool to thing but it was it was a really cool to be a part of even though it was totally be a part of even though it was totally outside of outside of anything yeah that's so cool yeah anything yeah that's so cool yeah everybody's got a local gang group Club everybody's got a local gang group Club friend group whatever it is that they friend group whatever it is that they rode with and there was always those rode with and there was always those kids slightly older or maybe the same kids slightly older or maybe the same age that were slightly Wilder and they age that were slightly Wilder and they were local Legends you know you always were local Legends you know you always have the local Legends they were well have the local Legends they were well let me let me let me let me finish up let me let me let me let me finish up this thing about Harry lry when I was this thing about Harry lry when I was doing radical Rick that's the other doing radical Rick that's the other thing I knew is there were when I popped thing I knew is there were when I popped in a character a writer a recognizable in a character a writer a recognizable writer as in a cameo or did a story writer as in a cameo or did a story around Greg Hill or Stu or people love around Greg Hill or Stu or people love that and also if I could have somebody a that and also if I could have somebody a writer Eddie fola whoever pop in in the writer Eddie fola whoever pop in in the background and interact with Rick it was background and interact with Rick it was he gave radical Rick a little bit of a he gave radical Rick a little bit of a legitimacy like he's on the same level legitimacy like he's on the same level as these guys yeah so Harry would pop in as these guys yeah so Harry would pop in all the time even if he's just in the all the time even if he's just in the background it's so funny by the way background it's so funny by the way total sidebar okay fast forward all total sidebar okay fast forward all right 45 years later oh my goodness last right 45 years later oh my goodness last year last year I was a nominee at the year last year I was a nominee at the BMX Hall of Fame and every year they BMX Hall of Fame and every year they have a old school vintage race and to have a old school vintage race and to commemorate that that's out in Tulsa I commemorate that that's out in Tulsa I did a poster of a bunch of riders it did a poster of a bunch of riders it look like they're in the main or look like they're in the main or something like that these pro riders something like that these pro riders and they're coming over radical Rick is and they're coming over radical Rick is in the front because he's radical Rick in the front because he's radical Rick and flanking him are all these other pro and flanking him are all these other pro riders but and they're going over what riders but and they're going over what it looks like a jump but if you look it looks like a jump but if you look closer it's not a jump It's the Grim closer it's not a jump It's the Grim Reaper he becomes a jump and you know Reaper he becomes a jump and you know the metaphor being like I know this is the metaphor being like I know this is an old vintage thing and these are a an old vintage thing and these are a bunch of old dudes but they're not going bunch of old dudes but they're not going to let time slow them down or age and in to let time slow them down or age and in that group at the top of course you have that group at the top of course you have radical Rick but I had Tommy brackens radical Rick but I had Tommy brackens and I had Harry in there and a couple and I had Harry in there and a couple other guys too recogniz one of the other guys too recogniz one of the Patterson brothers so here's what's so Patterson brothers so here's what's so crazy all right more of the Deep dive on crazy all right more of the Deep dive on Harry yeah and how he comes in and out Harry yeah and how he comes in and out of my life working on a collaboration of my life working on a collaboration with a BMX shoe company called scg okay with a BMX shoe company called scg okay and it's the only Rider owned shoe and it's the only Rider owned shoe company this guy refuses to sell out to company this guy refuses to sell out to the big companies you know whoever wants the big companies you know whoever wants to come and buy him he won't do it yeah to come and buy him he won't do it yeah and the is line is so cool and anyway he and the is line is so cool and anyway he sends me out of the kindness of his sends me out of the kindness of his heart he really wants me to sign up with heart he really wants me to sign up with him because over the years a lot of him because over the years a lot of companies have wooed me to do radical companies have wooed me to do radical Rick and you know to use radical Rick as Rick and you know to use radical Rick as a licensing tool on licensing product an a licensing tool on licensing product an IP intellectual property for products IP intellectual property for products and this guy sends me two slipons like and this guy sends me two slipons like classic band style slipons oh okay two classic band style slipons oh okay two pairs and the image on it got that image pairs and the image on it got that image from the Grand National vintage race he from the Grand National vintage race he put it on the shoe so when you put them put it on the shoe so when you put them together it shows the whole lineup of together it shows the whole lineup of riders across your toes that is cool and riders across your toes that is cool and and there's Harry again showing up it's and there's Harry again showing up it's incredible so then yeah popping up my incredible so then yeah popping up my life so like 45 years of being woven life so like 45 years of being woven with Harry I know it's a weird way to with Harry I know it's a weird way to say it but it's kind of what I just say it but it's kind of what I just heard yes so Harry is just so heard yes so Harry is just so interesting he's popped in and out of my interesting he's popped in and out of my life from my early days of advertising life from my early days of advertising creating ads for diamond back and then creating ads for diamond back and then of course drawing him and radical Rick of course drawing him and radical Rick and just to to now to have him come back and just to to now to have him come back and pop into some of my artwork again I and pop into some of my artwork again I was crushed when I found out that he was crushed when I found out that he passed away it's such a bummer yeah and passed away it's such a bummer yeah and you know I don't know the details but you know I don't know the details but here's what I know is when you're a here's what I know is when you're a little kid well I shouldn't say little little kid well I shouldn't say little kid when you're a young person a young kid when you're a young person a young man the fame that he got early on you man the fame that he got early on you know you go through a period of life know you go through a period of life where you are an absolute rock star MH where you are an absolute rock star MH and you hear some of the stories of and you hear some of the stories of these guys going on tour I mean they these guys going on tour I mean they legitimately were they were like the legitimately were they were like the Beatles you know they show up to some Beatles you know they show up to some place and the kids are just mobbing them place and the kids are just mobbing them the stories are amazing so I would think the stories are amazing so I would think you know none of us you know an example you know none of us you know an example is I was always behind the scenes is I was always behind the scenes radical Rick was out front all my radical Rick was out front all my artwork was out front but I'm I'm just a artwork was out front but I'm I'm just a dude in a garage drawing artwork and dude in a garage drawing artwork and dreaming of living large you know I'm dreaming of living large you know I'm not W nobody knows what I look like nope not W nobody knows what I look like nope it was kind of a nice nice way to go so it was kind of a nice nice way to go so you have a mask is thing so you you have a mask is thing so you created well anyway so when I found out created well anyway so when I found out Harry passed I thought oh my gosh you Harry passed I thought oh my gosh you know some guys make get out of that know some guys make get out of that Journey you know being a Teen Idol yeah Journey you know being a Teen Idol yeah and some of them it's just something and some of them it's just something that scars them and I don't know if that that scars them and I don't know if that contributed to it you know because when contributed to it you know because when you are it would be so difficult to be you are it would be so difficult to be top of the world at a young age and then top of the world at a young age and then to have it slowly be you get past to have it slowly be you get past basically yeah you know it's the next basically yeah you know it's the next Superstar takes your place and yeah not Superstar takes your place and yeah not everybody not everybody body can adjust everybody not everybody body can adjust to that yeah he definitely had to that yeah he definitely had challenges later in life that I've challenges later in life that I've learned of and you know we all have learned of and you know we all have challenges I kind of I'm glad that you challenges I kind of I'm glad that you brought up the age thing because it's brought up the age thing because it's not necessarily something I I thought of not necessarily something I I thought of from that perspective of peing young you from that perspective of peing young you know going down from there so that puts know going down from there so that puts a little bit different perspective of a little bit different perspective of him in my mind I thank for that him in my mind I thank for that understanding think about it think about understanding think about it think about it too Kyle you know when you're a young it too Kyle you know when you're a young person and hot person and hot other teams are trying to get you and other teams are trying to get you and they're offering you they are just they're offering you they are just blowing smoke up your end you're the blowing smoke up your end you're the greatest things in the world you you're greatest things in the world you you're so much better than everybody else and so much better than everybody else and we're going to take you to new heights we're going to take you to new heights because you deserve it and there's a because you deserve it and there's a saying don't believe your press most I saying don't believe your press most I shouldn't say all of them that's really shouldn't say all of them that's really unfair but a lot of these companies were unfair but a lot of these companies were they just wanted what was the hottest they just wanted what was the hottest flavor of the week yeah and if Harry flavor of the week yeah and if Harry happened to be that guy they would throw happened to be that guy they would throw the full force promise of the Moon and the full force promise of the Moon and you go from people clamoring to have a you go from people clamoring to have a little bit of Harry or a little bit of little bit of Harry or a little bit of start they want you to be the next start they want you to be the next Superstar to represent their brand so Superstar to represent their brand so they're willing to tell you anything they're willing to tell you anything sure about the money you're going to sure about the money you're going to make all the plans they have for you you make all the plans they have for you you deserve it you do you're the greatest deserve it you do you're the greatest thing since uh the right brothers and thing since uh the right brothers and suddenly you know you're believe in the suddenly you know you're believe in the hype and then when the phone doesn't hype and then when the phone doesn't ring anymore when the money dries out ring anymore when the money dries out and that's all you know think about this and that's all you know think about this SC they were at the peak of their where SC they were at the peak of their where they would be going to college yeah so I they would be going to college yeah so I think that would be pretty tough for think that would be pretty tough for anyone to endure I've heard some stories anyone to endure I've heard some stories of other jobs that Harry had to take to of other jobs that Harry had to take to make his meet at time like driving a bus make his meet at time like driving a bus which I think it's kind of interesting which I think it's kind of interesting and humbling from that perspective yeah and humbling from that perspective yeah that it would have been a heck of a ride oh everybody buckle your seat belt click click we're off but but yeah I've heard click we're off but but yeah I've heard that a lot especially when the money that a lot especially when the money started drying up in the later 80s a lot started drying up in the later 80s a lot of people had had a hard time with that of people had had a hard time with that and it's just it's interesting to get and it's just it's interesting to get that perspective or that Insight from that perspective or that Insight from you even though you didn't fall victim you even though you didn't fall victim to it but you have an understanding of to it but you have an understanding of it yeah yeah yeah here you go sorry hey it yeah yeah yeah here you go sorry hey no put that down no sand and the bucket no put that down no sand and the bucket down oh boy sorry David but worse so down oh boy sorry David but worse so from kind of I um we were just talking about Harry's Legacy yeah the good news is that Legacy yeah the good news is that majority of people who knew Harry and majority of people who knew Harry and raced against him and remember him raced against him and remember him appreciate what he did for the sport how appreciate what he did for the sport how important he was to help brand the sport important he was to help brand the sport in the growing early years yeah and I in the growing early years yeah and I believe his legacy is going to live on believe his legacy is going to live on in a positive way I believe so and I in a positive way I believe so and I hope it does and I have one final hope it does and I have one final question for you regarding that I got to question for you regarding that I got to ask it first word that comes to mind ask it first word that comes to mind when you think of Harry as a BMX when you think of Harry as a BMX Legend I keep thinking tenacious love it Legend I keep thinking tenacious love it thanks Sam so I was also kind of thanks Sam so I was also kind of thinking about how you and I met and the thinking about how you and I met and the evolution of kind of this friendship and evolution of kind of this friendship and relationship that we have yeah how did relationship that we have yeah how did we meet take me back to the golden AG we meet take me back to the golden AG wasn't it in it was on the swany river I wasn't it in it was on the swany river I believe 1994 believe 1994 and I believe that you were a steamboat and I believe that you were a steamboat captain and I was a lowely oresman when captain and I was a lowely oresman when suddenly the ship went around and suddenly the ship went around and thankfully for your Ingenuity and thankfully for your Ingenuity and mcgyver you were able to save the ship mcgyver you were able to save the ship and if it wasn't for me lending you my and if it wasn't for me lending you my paddle you would have been able to hook paddle you would have been able to hook up that helicopter machine contraption up that helicopter machine contraption that lifted the boat out of the rocks that lifted the boat out of the rocks and saved everyone aboard it and from and saved everyone aboard it and from that time on you've been indebted to me that time on you've been indebted to me for me carrying the ore and turning it for me carrying the ore and turning it over to you to create such a wonderful over to you to create such a wonderful rescue we'll be friends for life yeah rescue we'll be friends for life yeah but I have one question about that can but I have one question about that can can I keep the ore uh it's yours forever can I keep the ore uh it's yours forever maybe have it bronzed oh yeah actually maybe have it bronzed oh yeah actually yeah I like that honest with you I don't yeah I like that honest with you I don't know have to think about that well how know have to think about that well how did we go ahead let's talk about how we did we go ahead let's talk about how we met I started a group on Facebook and I met I started a group on Facebook and I purchased something I purchased a trophy purchased something I purchased a trophy on eBay it was from radical Rick and I on eBay it was from radical Rick and I was was going to put it into my radical was was going to put it into my radical Rick collection and I just happened to Rick collection and I just happened to ask the seller is was this and he said ask the seller is was this and he said Harry Larry so I reached out to you to Harry Larry so I reached out to you to offer you the trophy you proposed a offer you the trophy you proposed a different option and it's turned out to different option and it's turned out to be kind of fun and cool and I I had a be kind of fun and cool and I I had a really good time and I felt good after really good time and I felt good after our our experience I remember that so fondly and experience I remember that so fondly and you know what is wild Kyle is I get so you know what is wild Kyle is I get so many wacky requests for startup t-shirt many wacky requests for startup t-shirt companies commissions logos and over the companies commissions logos and over the years I've realized that pretty quick years I've realized that pretty quick vetting system asking people and I can vetting system asking people and I can just chitchat with them a little while just chitchat with them a little while and I can tell if they're full of blone and I can tell if they're full of blone or they're they're not going to go or they're they're not going to go anywhere or they'll get interest Decay anywhere or they'll get interest Decay and interest Decay is a term that I use and interest Decay is a term that I use we live in a fallen world you know stuff we live in a fallen world you know stuff is constantly falling apart and there's is constantly falling apart and there's always this sort of atrophy of always this sort of atrophy of excitement that happens great idea excitement that happens great idea around the water cooler a week later around the water cooler a week later maybe a mediocre idea a week later not maybe a mediocre idea a week later not even a glimmer of how cool it could have even a glimmer of how cool it could have been and then it's forgotten by the been and then it's forgotten by the third week and I could tell that you third week and I could tell that you were kind of a take this the best were kind of a take this the best possible way you made it really clear possible way you made it really clear that you were putting time into how we that you were putting time into how we could do this you were excited about it could do this you were excited about it you were sponsive I said this is a good you were sponsive I said this is a good cause this the right thing to do yeah it cause this the right thing to do yeah it involves radical Rick and if I can help involves radical Rick and if I can help r raise some money that is fantastic r raise some money that is fantastic great and so I remember it well and I'm great and so I remember it well and I'm glad you asked me because as a result of glad you asked me because as a result of that I get to sit by the beach watch that I get to sit by the beach watch your daughter play with what is that a your daughter play with what is that a sand castle or is that a sand Mansion sand castle or is that a sand Mansion fantastic talking that's cool that was fantastic talking that's cool that was really cool to hear your perspective of really cool to hear your perspective of how we came together and well we've how we came together and well we've talked a little bit about doing another talked a little bit about doing another charity but I've kind of idea in mind charity but I've kind of idea in mind and hope to talk with you soon later and hope to talk with you soon later we'll talk later yes sound very soon I we'll talk later yes sound very soon I think it's pretty sound thing but Greg think it's pretty sound thing but Greg he's a friend of Harry's and I are going he's a friend of Harry's and I are going to be running a charity again here very to be running a charity again here very soon and after that I plan on reaching soon and after that I plan on reaching out cool let me know how I can help yes out cool let me know how I can help yes sir so I I'm sorry I Googled you you sir so I I'm sorry I Googled you you know you're us to Google but you used to know you're us to Google but you used to work for Hot Wheels I did advertising work for Hot Wheels I did advertising work for years on metal He-Man Hot work for years on metal He-Man Hot Wheels what I did so many Masters of the Wheels what I did so many Masters of the Universe commercials and Universe commercials and yeah I wore craft cereal for years I was yeah I wore craft cereal for years I was at an agency and that little agency that at an agency and that little agency that I went to my first job ever I parlay I went to my first job ever I parlay that into my wife basically asked me that into my wife basically asked me like you're an illustrator ski like you're an illustrator ski instructor what is this advertising instructor what is this advertising stuff what are we going to do with it I stuff what are we going to do with it I said well really to make a go at it we said well really to make a go at it we either got to move to LA New York or either got to move to LA New York or Chicago cuz those are the centers and we Chicago cuz those are the centers and we were living in Huntington Beach at the were living in Huntington Beach at the time okay and and I drove up to Los time okay and and I drove up to Los Angeles which might as well when you're Angeles which might as well when you're an Orange County kid going to Los an Orange County kid going to Los Angeles is like you might as well be Angeles is like you might as well be going to downtown Manhattan New York going to downtown Manhattan New York because it was just so foreign to us we because it was just so foreign to us we had dirt fields we could ride bikes in had dirt fields we could ride bikes in we had beaches we just wide open and we had beaches we just wide open and anyway so I headed up there and I had a anyway so I headed up there and I had a contact from college who had a job and I contact from college who had a job and I was able to get in there and a funny was able to get in there and a funny story is I positioned myself as a Hy story is I positioned myself as a Hy toyy creative director showing them all toyy creative director showing them all my fancy schmancy ads but I didn't let my fancy schmancy ads but I didn't let them know I could draw because I wanted them know I could draw because I wanted to just see my thinking and in the to just see my thinking and in the traditional world of traditional world of advertising nobody can really draw that advertising nobody can really draw that you hire illustrators you hire artists you hire illustrators you hire artists to do your storyboards you hire people to do your storyboards you hire people whose sole job it is is to create the whose sole job it is is to create the imagery that you use to sell to the imagery that you use to sell to the client and so they went through my whole client and so they went through my whole book and they were looking you know I book and they were looking you know I was the youngest guy in their department was the youngest guy in their department and the guy that was interviewing me and the guy that was interviewing me goes you know we really need somebody goes you know we really need somebody who can who can draw and thank goodness in the back of draw and thank goodness in the back of portfolio I had a two-page spread of portfolio I had a two-page spread of radical Rick when he radical Rick when he introduces the TAC okay and it was introduces the TAC okay and it was laminated and I said well I drew this laminated and I said well I drew this well I didn't know it was from Hot well I didn't know it was from Hot Wheels and he was the creative director Wheels and he was the creative director on Hot Wheels he goes wait right here he on Hot Wheels he goes wait right here he brings in the executive creative brings in the executive creative director and he goes Dan I want you to director and he goes Dan I want you to meet Damen Fulton he drew this he looks meet Damen Fulton he drew this he looks at my radical Rick you know I thought at my radical Rick you know I thought radical Rick was just those you know I radical Rick was just those you know I didn't think a big Wilshire Ad Agency didn't think a big Wilshire Ad Agency would care about a comic strip and he would care about a comic strip and he goes wait a second you drew this I go goes wait a second you drew this I go yeah you wrote this I said said yeah and yeah you wrote this I said said yeah and the guy just went guys come here and all the guy just went guys come here and all sudden all the offs is empty and the sudden all the offs is empty and the place was filled with poets and place was filled with poets and screenwriters and everybody had been screenwriters and everybody had been divorced multiple times it was kind of divorced multiple times it was kind of like the tail end of the Mad Men Days like the tail end of the Mad Men Days and I was this Plucky kid from and I was this Plucky kid from Huntington Beach and thankfully they Huntington Beach and thankfully they hired me on the spot and I went to work hired me on the spot and I went to work immediately on Hot Wheels eventually immediately on Hot Wheels eventually working on Masters of the Universe I working on Masters of the Universe I worked on tons of kids products and it worked on tons of kids products and it was great if I could ever work was great if I could ever work skateboard or bicycle in a commercial I skateboard or bicycle in a commercial I did it all the time I love it so yeah did it all the time I love it so yeah that was my world and R Rick there's that was my world and R Rick there's another example of how radical Rick another example of how radical Rick opened a door for me that turned out to opened a door for me that turned out to be my career my livelihood I went on to be my career my livelihood I went on to become a creative director there I went become a creative director there I went over to Marvel and worked when Marvel over to Marvel and worked when Marvel was an animation company back into was an animation company back into advertising and started directing TV advertising and started directing TV commercials and movies and yeah so I've commercials and movies and yeah so I've had a really blessed career I'm so had a really blessed career I'm so fortunate I couldn't have planned it and fortunate I couldn't have planned it and I'm still drawn radical Rick today 45 I'm still drawn radical Rick today 45 years later pretty funny I'm not doing years later pretty funny I'm not doing the comic script you're not going to the comic script you're not going to believe this what's that can't see this believe this what's that can't see this but because I've got it hidden behind my but because I've got it hidden behind my back underneath my beach towel but I'm back underneath my beach towel but I'm actually doodling as we speak on a actually doodling as we speak on a clipboard that has an image of radical clipboard that has an image of radical red so I've seen those that you've made red so I've seen those that you've made they're amazing I wanted to buy from they're amazing I wanted to buy from your last batch but I'm happy that I got your last batch but I'm happy that I got the Super Cross G oh you got one of the Super Cross G oh you got one of those those print that's awesome yes I those those print that's awesome yes I got the go I have not yet taken out of got the go I have not yet taken out of the box it's sitting with my 40th the box it's sitting with my 40th anniversary and a couple other things anniversary and a couple other things right now right now yeah that's cool man well you you enjoy yeah that's cool man well you you enjoy that that was it we good good job man that that was it we good good job man those things are F that was a fun image those things are F that was a fun image I made I remember making it try to do I made I remember making it try to do stuff now that are in the character of stuff now that are in the character of rad Uncle Rick like what how would rad Uncle Rick like what how would radical Rick appear today and that radical Rick appear today and that concept of this time portal where the concept of this time portal where the radical Rick of the past is bracing the radical Rick of the past is bracing the radical Rick of the present the first radical Rick of the present the first time I've done a radical Rick in modern time I've done a radical Rick in modern BMX regalia it was really fun to kind of BMX regalia it was really fun to kind of experience that research that yeah experience that research that yeah they're going head to-head in the they're going head to-head in the background a lot of times what I like to background a lot of times what I like to do is packet full of 80s type references do is packet full of 80s type references and I love that yeah it's just fun and I love that yeah it's just fun because then it gives me a chance that because then it gives me a chance that kind of giving a nod to my old you know kind of giving a nod to my old you know I read Mad Magazine religiously as a kid I read Mad Magazine religiously as a kid and in that style of always sort of and in that style of always sort of lampooning other brands and other pop lampooning other brands and other pop culture icons I love just slipping them culture icons I love just slipping them in and surprising myself oh right in and surprising myself oh right there's a Ninja Turtle I wonder what he there's a Ninja Turtle I wonder what he looks like dra in the radic style I've looks like dra in the radic style I've got to tell you I think I don't I own got to tell you I think I don't I own your your paperback the oh you got it the complete paperback the oh you got it the complete episode have not completely read it from episode have not completely read it from front to back yet but I do like going front to back yet but I do like going through I selecting it every so often through I selecting it every so often and my probably my favorite thing and I and my probably my favorite thing and I I got to admit I don't know if I have a I got to admit I don't know if I have a favorite episode EX for the ending which favorite episode EX for the ending which I want to talk with you about but what I I want to talk with you about but what I love is I told you my genre very small love is I told you my genre very small community that we had like three bike community that we had like three bike manufacturer and now I've learned over manufacturer and now I've learned over the years of all these other Racers and the years of all these other Racers and all of these other bike manufacturing all of these other bike manufacturing companies and I'm finding them in your companies and I'm finding them in your your book yeah it's fun so funny yeah your book yeah it's fun so funny yeah back then I go to the BMX plus offices back then I go to the BMX plus offices once a month drop off the radical Rick once a month drop off the radical Rick and back then it was big pan painted it and back then it was big pan painted it was not digital they would have to take was not digital they would have to take it from me take original artwork and it from me take original artwork and scan it because it needed an oversized scan it because it needed an oversized drum scanner huh and sometimes I'd get drum scanner huh and sometimes I'd get them back the the beauty is I'd be in them back the the beauty is I'd be in their offices and I get to just hang out their offices and I get to just hang out talk with everybody and Jun car the talk with everybody and Jun car the photographer and you know they had went photographer and you know they had went through various editors over the years through various editors over the years and it was great because I could see and it was great because I could see looking at John Carr's proof sheets I looking at John Carr's proof sheets I could see all the emerging Racers and could see all the emerging Racers and then they had a room that would be where then they had a room that would be where their test spikes were you know their test spikes were you know manufacturers sent them bikes by the manufacturers sent them bikes by the boatload I can imagine because they were boatload I can imagine because they were just hoping that they would test it or just hoping that they would test it or give a review you needed that the give a review you needed that the magazines were a credible Source it magazines were a credible Source it legitimized a brand and if you got a legitimized a brand and if you got a good review the manufacturers by company good review the manufacturers by company scratched you know BMX plus and BMX scratched you know BMX plus and BMX actions back because they were they were actions back because they were they were buying buying advertising so you know and I don't know advertising so you know and I don't know how much buy all this advertising and how much buy all this advertising and you get a really glowing review and the you get a really glowing review and the test riter couldn't break the bike and test riter couldn't break the bike and the test rider went a higher the best the test rider went a higher the best bike in the world but anyway my point is bike in the world but anyway my point is going into the offices of BMX plus over going into the offices of BMX plus over 13 years I got to see the evolution of 13 years I got to see the evolution of the sport I got to see and appreciate the sport I got to see and appreciate the various phases it I look back and the various phases it I look back and it's all reflected in that book because it's all reflected in that book because if you go to the early days the first if you go to the early days the first time I drew Ric was 1979 and so it was time I drew Ric was 1979 and so it was just starting to really take a hold of just starting to really take a hold of have an organizing body of races and have an organizing body of races and everything thing all the way through to everything thing all the way through to where the end it was beginning of the X where the end it was beginning of the X Games and anyway I'm just so thankful by Games and anyway I'm just so thankful by looking back at this that I got to step looking back at this that I got to step in the office of BMX plus and see the in the office of BMX plus and see the develop of BMX right before my eyes I develop of BMX right before my eyes I can only imagine the things you've seen can only imagine the things you've seen in this sport over the last 45 years is in this sport over the last 45 years is really cool I think but hey you know really cool I think but hey you know what the coolest the coolest thing in what the coolest the coolest thing in the world I just want to say real quick the world I just want to say real quick is I got to take off here in a little is I got to take off here in a little while the incredible vindication in the while the incredible vindication in the last few years for the sport of BMX last few years for the sport of BMX bikes have never gone away yeah the one bikes have never gone away yeah the one thing that I am so thankful that I got thing that I am so thankful that I got to see so many years later is the to see so many years later is the emergence of BMX culture in so many emergence of BMX culture in so many different ways mainstreamed again when different ways mainstreamed again when we were kids a 20-in bike was the mode we were kids a 20-in bike was the mode of operation you remember that of operation you remember that everywhere everywhere and then around everywhere everywhere and then around the early 90s mountain bikes came in Y the early 90s mountain bikes came in Y and that's really what killed the sport and that's really what killed the sport was what I should say killed the sport was what I should say killed the sport killed the momentum that was growing killed the momentum that was growing because in order to purchase ads and because in order to purchase ads and magazines in order to grow the sport you magazines in order to grow the sport you need to have bicycle manufacturers need to have bicycle manufacturers supporting teams and events and all supporting teams and events and all their focus went to mountain bikes Y and their focus went to mountain bikes Y and if you were a kid in the '90s after if you were a kid in the '90s after about 94 you started asking for a about 94 you started asking for a mountain bike uhhuh 26in wheel or bigger mountain bike uhhuh 26in wheel or bigger instead of a BMX bike and suddenly BMX instead of a BMX bike and suddenly BMX was struggling just so sad and then was struggling just so sad and then thank God the X game and the extreme thank God the X game and the extreme sports movement in general revitalized sports movement in general revitalized it it's kind of funny is in the 2000s it it's kind of funny is in the 2000s BMX plus picked up radical Rick again BMX plus picked up radical Rick again even though I wasn't drawing yeah you even though I wasn't drawing yeah you know went on for several more years and know went on for several more years and now to see the sport I remember when it now to see the sport I remember when it was put in the Olympics you can have was put in the Olympics you can have discussion after discussion and argument discussion after discussion and argument about SP gone too far whatever about SP gone too far whatever it's still bikes and it's still guys it's still bikes and it's still guys hustling to get around a track as fast hustling to get around a track as fast as possible that's incredible and then as possible that's incredible and then the stuff they're doing in the air right the stuff they're doing in the air right now in parks and just free riding now in parks and just free riding phenomenal I was just looking at one phenomenal I was just looking at one today earlier today I got my haircut the today earlier today I got my haircut the barber had a screen up and it was a red barber had a screen up and it was a red bull rider on a 20-in bike through Italy bull rider on a 20-in bike through Italy and they'd set up all these crazy ramps and they'd set up all these crazy ramps and everything and oh my gosh the kind and everything and oh my gosh the kind of inversions they can do and it's of inversions they can do and it's beautiful see the sport I like to call beautiful see the sport I like to call it cool again I'm stoked that it's cool it cool again I'm stoked that it's cool again and now with the Advent of big again and now with the Advent of big wheel bikes and you can have that same wheel bikes and you can have that same BMX experience even though you're a long BMX experience even though you're a long and lanky stiff arthritic old man you and lanky stiff arthritic old man you could still ride and wheelie it's could still ride and wheelie it's awesome yeah and I know a lot of people awesome yeah and I know a lot of people like to bag on se but they really did like to bag on se but they really did something with bike life and I think something with bike life and I think they do oh they sure did so Todd Li oh they do oh they sure did so Todd Li oh Todd is Todd Lions my favorite thing to Todd is Todd Lions my favorite thing to do is to read when somebody bags on him do is to read when somebody bags on him because just get it right back yeah when because just get it right back yeah when I didn't know who Todd Lions was I used I didn't know who Todd Lions was I used to bag on it because everybody when the to bag on it because everybody when the big bike movement happened in Co a lot big bike movement happened in Co a lot of bike manufacturers were they really of bike manufacturers were they really want to come out with a radical wreck want to come out with a radical wreck bike and so I talked to a lot of people bike and so I talked to a lot of people Todd Lions is one of them GT I finally Todd Lions is one of them GT I finally end up going with harro because they had end up going with harro because they had such passion for the brand and it's an such passion for the brand and it's an ultimate irony because I'm often ultimate irony because I'm often confused for people think Ric Rook was confused for people think Ric Rook was done by Bob Harold which is great Bob's done by Bob Harold which is great Bob's a friend of mine and people are asking a friend of mine and people are asking him I love your radic telling I love him I love your radic telling I love your radical rck oh my goodness thank your radical rck oh my goodness thank you that wasn't me yes I am so thankful you that wasn't me yes I am so thankful that BMX has landed where it is and that that BMX has landed where it is and that you can continue to ride and just you can continue to ride and just remember our youth and I'm certain that remember our youth and I'm certain that this wave is going to continue long past this wave is going to continue long past we're gone hey it's been great chatting we're gone hey it's been great chatting with you Daman I know you got well you with you Daman I know you got well you got a few blocks to got a few blocks to ride well hey I'm going let get back to ride well hey I'm going let get back to your family I'm going to head out here your family I'm going to head out here in a minute go find the wife and cool in a minute go find the wife and cool see what she's up to we'll catch up see what she's up to we'll catch up later Kyle tell me all about stuff yeah later Kyle tell me all about stuff yeah all right man well listen God bless you all right man well listen God bless you we'll talk again safe travels wherever we'll talk again safe travels wherever your next adventure takes you right your next adventure takes you right thank you my friend to you as well take thank you my friend to you as well take care bye bye
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