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One of NYC's skateboarding legends, Andy Kessler, died yesterday in Montauk at the age of 49. Initial reports are stating that the cause of death was an allergic reaction to a hornet sting. In 2005, New York magazine profiled the skater and the Zoo York tribe he was a part of, just as the West Coast skaters were getting all the attention on the big screen.
BoingBoing has a quote about Kessler from Glen E. Friedman, a photographer who chronicled skate culture, saying, "If skateboarding was a town, this guy was its mayor. Andy Kessler, one of the good ones... This was a great dude, NO ONE could say anything wrong about this dude. He was one of the oldest, if not the oldest, skater in New York City, holding it down, real since the 70's. Andy will be seriously missed by many including myself." This type of sentiment is a familiar one amongst those who knew him. And you can get to know him and his skating here:
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R.I.P. Andy-it was a privilege knowing you...
thanks for posting this. he seemed like a great guy
Well, this certainly blows. The old man was one of the best characters you'd hope to meet around these parts.
Allergic reaction to a hornet sting? That is one random and terrible way to go.
Andy is one of the nicest people I've known. Goddammit, we had plans! He had plans with a lot of people, to do a lot of things... I can't believe he's gone.
Crazy was how he helped build the Millenium Skatepark in Brooklyn right smack in the winter. That winter, I walked over and talked to the guys there and noticed that Kessler was one of them. I've met him a bunch of times growing up skating at the old ESA contests in the 80's & 90's. He walked over and we just chatted. One thing I remember him saying was that he's glad that the locals were appreciative of what they were doing there. He recalled how kids skated whatever they could back in the day and now they were building a skatepark. Just the nicest guy, real pleasant to talk to, very personable and instantly likable and I loved how deep his passion was for skateboarding. I'd see him and always tell myself that I'm going to be like him when I'm older. Just still loving the feeling of skating as much as I did in 1987 when I bought my first Alva.
Rest In Peace my friend, God has been building a sick skatepark just for you to enjoy. :) -Louis
http://louistorres.com
http://youtube.com/louistorres
Never miss an opportunity for a plug Mr. Torres, do you?
Didn't know it was wrong to let others know who I am and why it was important to let others see that skateboarding changes lives but thank you for picking the negative out in things that are positive, my friend. It was the world of skateboarding that got me into photography after being a sponsored skater in NYC and will forever be grateful to my earlier experiences. I'd like to know what you have to add and I won't "write" your title/name because it's simply disrespectful and would advise that you refrain from your negative comments. Warmest Regards, -Lou