BMXmuseum.com Forums

Jon1971 wrote:

Here's the RL interview (from 2004):
http://bmxsociety.com/topic/40845-frees … born-2004/

Here's a snippet from the Vic Murphy one, read the entry for 1990, although it's from a 2003 interview:
http://www.23mag.com/gens/murphy.htm

Great interview. Thanks for posting. I don't think he sounded bitter. He just sounded like he had moved on when he lost the taste for the business side of bikes. It sounds like he made some great memories though.

I think that is one of the things that keeps drawing me back to BMX. Just when I get too busy to work on bikes or ride what really draws me back in are the memories of all the good times I had riding back then and ever since. I also like to see that glint in people's eyes when they talk about the good old days or where they rode last week or how excited they are about a new part or bike.

In fact, I know a guy who told me he doesn't build or ride freestyle bikes just scored an RL20II frame the other day. He was so excited to get it and that will probably be his first freestyle bike for himself since bitd. Seeing the excitement on his face made me excited for him. For a few minutes I was happy and was able to forget the stress and more difficult things in life like my day job.

I look at it this way, he was just another Bro who rode BMX. Never understand why we put certain guy's up on pedestals. Note I said we, cause I do that as well. R.L was great and hopefully one day he will reappear. How about some sick RL Pics?

00_Duck wrote:

WE didn't put him on the pedestal first...

for the most part you are spot on with your entire post.  from RL's point he has his reasons to "not look back" and that's ok he can keep them to himself i understand.  i've read  the interviews before and seen JKoaS he does come across really "jaded".  i wasn't kidding when i said "he's the axl rose of bmx" i do feel that way.  if he wants to disassociate himself with the "corporate" side of the industry i don't have a problem at all but it would be nice if he acknowledged the "fans".  to say "i haven't forgotten and will not forget you".  i'd respect the man for drawing a clear line between corporate and fan base.

TosaFreestyler70 wrote:

I'd like to know what really happened to Jimmy Hoffa, if the moon landing was real, the real reason behind "NEW" Coke, who shot J.R. (skip that) etc.....

RL has his reasons, let his legacy live on in the memories he gave us. If he decides to let the world in he will. Speculating there is more behind it.... let it go.

Hoffa is a criminal and he's dead. JR was fake character in a TV show. RL is a real person.

No, I won't let it go. I purchased his products and I feel I have a right to know what happened.

oldschoolray wrote:

Capt. Nemo wrote:

Why not just call his business to come clean your carpets, and while he is there, he will recruit your into is cult, and THEN you will have all the info you desire ... Honestly, what frankin' difference does it make? The world moved on in the late 80's, and so did he. The guy was in his mid 20's and grew up. He was old guard, and it was time for new blood. The scene changed.

Dude -

You must be not a day over 24 years old. And, you are the exact reason why the US is in the toilet. Our next generation of leaders are people like Nemo. How sad ... And even making light with snide remarks about one of the best extreme sports athletes of all time. And you're making fun of my legit question. It's apparent your Mother never taught you any manners, therefore I will teach you some if I ever have the pleasure of meeting you in person.

Dude-

Don't act like you know me. I won't even comment or your half-assed assumptions.

Not a day over 24?

My point is RL don't owe you shit. How many pro athletes are still basking in the limelight 30 years later? I would say a large majority have moved on and not looked back in ANY sport.

Another museum tough guy out to teach me somethin'...

A lot of people fail to realize that we are sitting here 20-30 years later. Many of these people that were once idolized are now just regular people working regular jobs just like the rest of us. They have homes, wives, kids and other non BMX hobbies. Also like the rest of us they have a past. Some people live for today and some people are stuck in the past and some people do a little of both.

oldschoolray wrote:

Dude -

You must be not a day over 24 years old. And, you are the exact reason why the US is in the toilet. Our next generation of leaders are people like Nemo. How sad ... And even making light with snide remarks about one of the best extreme sports athletes of all time. And you're making fun of my legit question. It's apparent your Mother never taught you any manners, therefore I will teach you some if I ever have the pleasure of meeting you in person.

Dude. Gettin a little worked up ain't ya? frank it. Forget it. It aint important. Go ride. Work off some steam.

I understand what's being said. And after reviewing each response in this thread (again), I understand what the bottom line is. However, what most of you fail to understand or realize is what happened to RL in 1989 is almost equivalent to what happened to Barry Sanders or a Dan Marino or any other superstar in Pro Sports. And what's so surreal is most of you don't even get it. I'm over it, and I am past it ... Yes, it’s 2012, HELLO … ? All I am trying to do is bring to the for-front a Superstar athlete at the top of his game, and being forced to just turn off the switch and leave the building forever.

Imagine Rodney Mullen's career, at his peak in the late 90s, and then all of a sudden Rodney walks off in to the high Desert and disappears forever …. And if that did happen I guarantee you the entire Skateboarding world would be going ape sh*t …. and RL’s debacle, forced or volunteered, nobody even mentions it ... today or yesterday or 10 years ago. Like it never happened.

Hello .... ?

Last edited by oldschoolray (2012-06-02 9:52pm)

oldschoolray wrote:

And what's so surreal is most of you don't even get it. I'm over it, and I am past it ... Yes, it’s 2012, HELLO … ? All I am trying to do is bring to the for-front a Superstar athlete at the top of his game, and being forced to just turn off the switch and leave the building forever.

Actually what's surreal is YOU don't get that NO ONE forced RL to quit. Just like Barry Sanders and Dan Marino, he made a conscious descision to move on. Why is THAT so hard to understand?

Athletes don't stay "on top" forever. Especialy in a sport that is constantly progressing.

RL was a great rider, but he was a "Superstar" because of his dad. Plain and simple. Wihout BMXA to promote him, he would have been just another great rider. I don't remember RL getting half that amount of coverage in BMX Plus or Super BMX.

For the record, "GO" was still a Wizard publication, although Bob O. had moved on into a more corporate role and left the day to day to others. Go was created to combine both BMXA and Freestylin' into one mag in a hope to redifine the magazine for the changing times. BMX racing was on the decline and freestyle was changing and becoming more fractured. But, by that time and RL had already moved on and the BMXA trick team was left to others to carry on.

Contrary to what you believe, I lived through that era. I witnessed the changing of the guard. I think RL wanted to be Bob Haro. He wanted to turn his passion for the sport into a business. He was 5 years too late. The sport he grew up with and helped invent was changing.

He had two choices. Adapt or move on. He obviously chose the latter.

As far as RL "owing" anyone an explanation as to why, because they idolized him or spent money on his product, has got to be the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. He didn't ask for that. He just rode his bike and tried to make a living out of what he loved to do. And when he couldn't or chose not to do that anymore, he started a new life.

Again I ask, why is THAT so difficult to understand?

oldschoolray wrote:

TosaFreestyler70 wrote:

I'd like to know what really happened to Jimmy Hoffa, if the moon landing was real, the real reason behind "NEW" Coke, who shot J.R. (skip that) etc.....

RL has his reasons, let his legacy live on in the memories he gave us. If he decides to let the world in he will. Speculating there is more behind it.... let it go.

Hoffa is a criminal and he's dead. JR was fake character in a TV show. RL is a real person.

No, I won't let it go. I purchased his products and I feel I have a right to know what happened.

So you bought a product and now you expect to know all about his personal business?

All the more reason to let guys like Woody,Eddie,DMC and Martin know how much what they do is appreciated.They could easily vanish instead of all the cool stuff they still do.Like when Woody comes on here and clears up all that roller cam brake stuff.

maybe he just wants to hang with his family and not be bothered

glenn1011 wrote:

Love the avatar!  Totally fitting...