Erik Ellington Explained

Erik Ellington
Birth Date:9 August 1977
Birth Place:Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Residence:Los Angeles
Hometown:Tempe, Arizona, U.S.
Height:6feet

Erik Ellington (born August 9, 1977) is an American professional skateboarder.

He established Bakerboys Distribution with Andrew Reynolds and Jim Greco in 2007. The company provides distribution for closely related skateboard companies. In 2008, Ellington co-founded Deathwish Skateboards with Greco.[1]

Early life

Ellington was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. In his teens, he moved to Tempe, Arizona.[2] [3] On the "Epicly Later'd" episode of Vice Media's Internet channel, he said of his early life,

We moved around a lot. When we lived in Alaska, my stepdad had money. He made a decent living; he had a body shop for cars and stuff. But then you move back and forth. Shit goes wrong up there, you move into a janky apartment, whatever. But we['ve] been up and down. I think it's a good experience, you know? To know both sides of the tracks.

Ellington said about living in Anchorage that "There wasn't a whole lot to do up there in winter. But in the summer you'd get between 16 and 22 hours of daylight. So you kind of got a year's worth of skating in those four months."

Ellington's early skateboard influences were the brands H Street and 101. As a teenager he sent video footage of himself to H Street and was sent a Mike Carroll signature model skateboard deck in response.

Professional skateboarding

Ellington first appeared on video when he played a Zero rider in Thrill of it All. Prior to this, he had appeared in the "Friends" section of the Toy Machine video, Welcome to Hell, but the part was uncredited. Ellington had relocated from San Diego to Tempe around the same time that he was recruited by professional skateboarder Jamie Thomas, the founder and owner of Zero. He explained the initial development of his relationship with Thomas:

Jamie Thomas came out to Arizona. Me and Scott Copalman talked to Jamie quite a bit. We were on Balance at the time, and [Thomas] was starting Zero clothing. So he wanted us to ride for the clothing. Actually, he wanted Scott to ride for the clothing. And then Scott said he wouldn't do it unless I was on too. He just said, "I won't leave Balance unless Erik comes with me." So, by default, I got on Zero.

Following the 1997 release of Thrill of it All, fellow professional skateboarder Adrian Lopez told Ellington that Ellington was on the verge of being dismissed from Zero's roster. Thomas explained the situation in a telephone interview, "We were trying to film for Misled Youth and Scotty and Erik went through a spell of several months without doing absolutely anything."

In 2005, Ellington co-founded the Supra footwear company. The company has released six different Ellington signature skate shoe designs, with the sixth model, "The Ellington", released in late 2012.[4]

He established Bakerboys Distribution with Andrew Reynolds and Jim Greco in 2007. Bakerboys Distribution provides distribution for closely related skateboard companies.[5]

In 2008, Ellington co-founded the skateboard deck brand Deathwish with professional skateboarder Jim Greco and, as of 2013, the two partners continue to co-own the company. The company's initial professional team roster consisted of Ellington, Greco, and Lizard King. Deathwish and Baker released the promotional video Baker Has A Deathwish.[6] [7] As of 2013, Copalman is an employee of Deathwish.

Ellington travelled to the Philippines as part of the "2012 Supra Asian Tour"[8] where he was welcomed by the local media as a "living legend".[9] While in the Philippines, Ellington participated in a street skateboarding demonstration at the Centris Walk in Quezon City and got a tattoo that reads "Thrilla In Manila". The Asian tour also visited Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, and Taipei.[10]

In April 2013, the first full-length Deathwish video was released worldwide and Ellington appeared at premiers to promote the video.[11] Entitled The Deathwish Video, the brand's inaugural production features Ellington, Greco, Jon Dickson, Hansen, Neen Williams, Furby, Moose, and Lizard King.[12] Production of the video was overseen by Ellington with assistance from other professional skateboarders like Dustin Dollin.[13]

Sponsors

Ellington is sponsored by Deathwish, Supra, KR3W, Thunder, Spitfire, Mob Grip, and Shake Junt.[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]

Bakerboys Distribution

In 2007, Ellington and fellow professional skaters Andrew Reynolds and Jim Greco established Bakerboys Distribution as an umbrella company for four skateboard companies—Baker Skateboards, Deathwish, Brigada sunglasses, Heroin, and Shake Junt.[20] [21]

Influence

Skateboard journalist Patrick O'Dell has identified Ellington as one of his favorite skateboarders.

Fellow professional skateboarder Daewon Song, who received a signed copy of a 2014 Deathwish signature skateboard deck, posted on Instagram telling Ellington to "keep inspiring with all your amazing video parts."[22]

Personal life

Ellington resides in Los Angeles with his two children.[23]

In a 2011 interview, Ellington said that in his group of friends he is "probably" best known for "being a bit of a lagger. I'm always late. Nobody can really rely on me, for, uh ... being on time." In his spare time, Ellington enjoys carpentry.

Videography

Ellington has said that the music record label companies make it difficult to get rights to music for skateboard videos and that he doesn't think that the companies understand that kids end up buying music they hear on video featuring their favorite skateboarders.[36]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Skately: Deathwish Skateboards. Skately. 3 April 2018. September 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180922214718/http://skately.com/library/brands/deathwish-skateboards. dead.
  2. Web site: Erik Ellington Interview. Place Skateboard Culture. 4 April 2018. 17 August 2015. April 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180405025249/http://www.placeskateboarding.de/erik-ellington-interview/. live.
  3. Web site: Inked People: Erik Ellington. Inked Magazine. Quadra Media L.L.C. 17 January 2013. 2007–2010. https://archive.today/20130127041157/http://www.inkedmag.com/inked-people/erik-ellington/. 27 January 2013.
  4. Web site: One Minute with Erik Ellington. Philippine Daily. inquirer.net. 17 January 2013. Pam Pastor. 17 November 2012. February 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160204075037/http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/76308/one-minute-with-erik-ellington. live.
  5. Web site: About Bakerboys Distribution. Bakerboys Distribution. 3 April 2018. December 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131206231333/http://bakerboysdist.com/about/. dead.
  6. Web site: Erik Ellington & Jim Greco - Deathwish!. Active People. Active. 27 April 2013. Erica Yary. 14 April 2008. May 24, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130524100207/http://people.activerideshop.com/erik-ellington-jim-greco-deathwish. live.
  7. Web site: Baker Has A Deathwish. YouTube. Google, Inc. 27 April 2013. XxWeebzZ. Video upload. 15 April 2012. May 19, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160519233849/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RKr7T1AhU4. live.
  8. http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/383153/take-it-the-streets#.UMf3vqxaeSo Take it to The Streets: Thriving skateboarding scene attracts top international riders to the Philippines
  9. News: What skateboarders wear for style–and action. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer.net. 27 April 2013. Anne A. Jambora. 11 December 2012. December 11, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121211194105/http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/80363/what-skateboarders-wear-for-style-and-action. live.
  10. News: Rock stars on skateboards. Philippine Daily Inquirer. inquirer.net. 27 April 2013. Pam Pastor. 17 November 2012. November 25, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121125035327/http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/76310/rock-stars-on-skateboards. live.
  11. Web site: Deathwish Prem Tonight. Skateboarding Australia Blog. Skateboarding Australia. 27 April 2013. Morgan Campbell. 16 April 2013. April 28, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130428005853/http://sba.org.au/Blog/deathwish-prem-tonight. live.
  12. Web site: The Deathwish Video: Deathwish Skateboards. iTunes Preview. Apple, Inc. 27 April 2013. 2013. April 29, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130429044645/https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/deathwish-video-deathwish/id635160589. live.
  13. Web site: Erik Ellington -The Deathwish Video, Antwuan Dixon, and More on Free Lunch. YouTube. Google, Inc. 27 April 2013. Ride Channel. Video upload. 27 March 2013. April 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160428113023/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UJXlTCHV6w. live.
  14. Web site: Erik Ellington on Thunder Trucks. dlxsf on Vimeo. Vimeo LLC. 17 January 2013. dlxsf. Video upload. January 2012. December 27, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111227125059/http://vimeo.com/32213258. live.
  15. Web site: Spitfire Wheels 3rd Degree: Erik Ellington. YouTube. Google, Inc. 17 January 2013. SpecialtySportsCom. Video upload. 30 September 2009. May 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160522053920/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYLPCTj1UMA. live.
  16. Web site: Erik Ellington New Shake Junt Bolts. YouTube. Google, Inc. 17 January 2013. bakerboysdist. Video upload. 5 April 2010. May 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160527164218/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Et5QlqyjDA. live.
  17. Web site: Erik Ellington Skater Profile. SPoT Skate Shop. Skatepark of Tampa. 17 January 2013. 25 January 2012. January 25, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130125145706/http://skateparkoftampa.com/skater/1031/Erik_Ellington. live.
  18. Web site: Erik Ellington . KR3W . One Distribution . 17 January 2013 . 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130119025802/http://kr3wdenim.com/kr3w/erik-ellington/ . 19 January 2013 .
  19. Web site: Erik Ellington: Zumiez x Deathwish. YouTube. Google, Inc. 17 January 2013. Zumiez. Video upload. 9 December 2011. June 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160623214945/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AhYa_GxdFw. live.
  20. Web site: Blog. Bakerboys Distribution. 19 January 2013. January 2013. October 29, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141029062803/http://bakerboysdist.com/. live.
  21. Web site: About. Bakerboys Distribution. 17 January 2013. Erik Ellington. 2013. December 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131206231333/http://bakerboysdist.com/about/. dead.
  22. Web site: 4 minutes ago. daewon1song on Instagram. Instagram. 16 April 2014. Daewon Song. Image upload. 15 April 2014. August 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150815152222/https://instagram.com/p/m1hT5bnHhX/. live.
  23. Web site: Pro Skater Erik Ellington - Epicly Later'd. YouTube. Google, Inc. 17 January 2013. Vice. Patrick O'Dell. Video upload. 31 August 2011. August 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160818095522/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD-UpmXeU1I. live.
  24. Web site: Erik Ellington - Zero: Thrill of it All. YouTube. Google, Inc. 16 January 2013. iLikeZeroSkateboards. Video upload. 2 November 2010. May 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160527164041/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoffhcYKc6Y. live.
  25. Web site: Erik Ellington - Baker Bootleg '99. YouTube. Google, Inc. 16 January 2013. bigPantsLittleWheels. Video upload. 20 November 2009. July 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160722100452/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I05jf9rZ5F8. live.
  26. Web site: Classics: Erik Ellington "Misled Youth". YouTube. Google, Inc. 16 January 2013. ThrasherMagazine. Mikey Taylor. Video upload. 1 August 2012. August 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160802182438/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeaPFXvVSGM. live.
  27. Web site: Baker Skateboards - Summer Tour Video 2001 (2002). Skately. Skately LLC. 16 January 2013. Video upload. 2013. January 30, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130130075057/http://skately.com/library/videos/baker-skateboards-summer-tour-video-2001. live.
  28. Web site: Emerica This is Skateboarding - Erik Ellington. DailyMotion. 16 January 2013. thierrybenji. Video upload. 2005–2013. February 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160204075037/http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4lx1d_emerica-this-is-skateboarding-erik_news#.UPZwsaF4YZc. live.
  29. Web site: Emerica DVD Extras Kids In Emerica. YouTube. Google, Inc. 16 January 2013. Kees Bouwmeester. Video upload. 22 April 2012. February 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160204075037/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfWEQoAgxEk. live.
  30. Web site: Erik Ellington – Baker 3 part. YouTube. Google, Inc. 16 January 2013. devilgaby2000. Video upload. 7 June 2008. April 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426203319/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru8lSPPyh2M. live.
  31. Web site: Battle Commander – Erik Ellington . The Berrics . 16 January 2013 . Video upload . 13 June 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121204073648/http://theberrics.com/battle-commander/erik-ellington.html . 4 December 2012 .
  32. Web site: Baker - Has a Deathwish - Erik Ellington. YouTube. Google, Inc. 16 January 2013. Jannik Raeder. Video upload. 28 May 2012. April 11, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160411082702/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B21kn53QxhY. live.
  33. Web site: Shake Junt Video "Chicken Bone Nowison". YouTube. Google, Inc. 16 January 2013. theclick96. Video upload. 22 October 2009. May 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160505112436/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hbEizkqrww. live.
  34. Web site: Supra 2012 European Tour Video. Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. 16 January 2013. TWS. Video upload. 7 December 2012. January 11, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130111113514/http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000169942/videos/supra-2012-european-tour-video/. live.
  35. Web site: Erik Ellington skate videos. SkatevideoSite.com. 16 January 2013. 2005–2013. December 30, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121230082230/http://www.skatevideosite.com/skaters/41/erik+ellington. live.
  36. Web site: TAPEDECK: Erik Ellington - TransWorld SKATEboarding. YouTube. Google, Inc. 17 January 2013. TransworldSKATEmag. Video upload. 15 November 2012. April 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160412222530/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhjtQk7bl8E. live.

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