The year was 1976, and skateboarding was undergoing changes that would forever shape the sport and its culture. The urethane wheel had just been invented, the first outdoor skatepark was built in Florida, Alan Gelfand pulled the first ollie, and Vision Streetwear was born. From that first year, it was clear that vision was something different, and their skateboard deck line was a natural addition.
The original Vision team represented some of the sickest, most innovative skaters at the time - including Mark Gonzales, Lance Mountain, Tas Pappas, Duane Peters and Mark "Gator" Rogowski. Vision was the first brand to understand the natural connection between music and skate culture. It put on a number of music and skate events including the Vision Skate Escape featuring Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Probably most importantly, Vision re-defined skate and street style with its use of bold, in your face graphics on its skate decks, t-shirts and sneakers. The Psycho Stick, Aggressor and Gator Pro Model remain some of the most loved and well-respected symbols of innovative design throughout the history of Skateboarding.
Lee Ralph solidly earned his spot among the greats of skateboarding - once being touted as 'the next big thing'. Among those who remember his stellar contribution to skating, his legacy proudly lives on.