Mike Vallely

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Mike Vallely (pronounced Val-ey-lee; born June 29, 1970), a.k.a. Mike V or sometimes Mike Valley, is an American professional skateboarder.

Vallely was born in Edison, New Jersey and resides in Long Beach, California. He is the singer in the rock band Revolution Mother and in the hardcore band Mike V & the Rats. He also sang for Black Flag on their 2003 reunion shows in Los Angeles. He was the singer for the part of the show where the band played the entire My War album. He is on the Element skate team as a pro. Mike Vallely was featured in the popular Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game series. Vallely is also a big fan of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, as he writes a blog on the Ducks' official website. Vallely also has two children, Emily and Lucy.^[1]

1 Life and career
2 Sponsors
3 Skateboard videography
4 References
5 External links

Life and career

Mike turned pro in 1987 and in 1988 he moved to California from his native state of New Jersey and his first pro model skateboard was released by Powell Peralta.

In 1989 he left Powell Peralta to help form World Industries Skateboards which revolutionized the skateboard industry.

In 1992 Mike married his longtime girlfriend Ann and in December of that year their daughter Emily was born.

In 1995 Mike won the first annual Skatepark Of Tampa Pro Street Contest in Tampa, Florida and competed in the first ever X-Games.

In 1997 Mike traveled to China to do the very first professional skateboard demonstrations in that country.

In 1998 Etnies Footwear released Mike V’s first signature skateboard shoe.

In the summer of 2001 Mike joined Tony Hawk on his Gigantic Skatepark Tour and would go on to be featured on many of Hawk’s tours and video games including Tony Hawk Underground, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland and Tony Hawk's Project 8.

In September 2001 Mike and Ann’s second daughter Lucinda was born.

In 2002 Build Worldwide released the documentary film DRIVE detailing Mike’s career, his passion for skateboarding and his dedication to the skateboard community. That same year Mike formed his band Mike V And The Rats as well as recorded his first solo record with Pittsburgh singer / songwriter Joe Grushecky.

In 2003 Mike performed with Black Flag as a guest vocalist at the Black Flag Reunion Show at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.

In 2005 Fuel TV began airing Mike’s television series, DRIVE: Notes From The Wilderness and Sportskool began airing Mike V’s Video On Demand skateboard instructional segments on digital cable. Mike currently resides in Long Beach, California with his wife and their two daughters. He continues to pursue his music with his new band Revolution Mother formed in November 2005.

Mike, an avid ice hockey fan and player has done charity work for the NHL and is currently working with the Anaheim Ducks to promote hockey in Southern California. Mike is a board member of the Tony Hawk Foundation which helps fund skateparks nationwide and also sits on the board of the Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship which funds college scholarships for skateboarders.

Mike V continues to tour the world spreading his message of individuality and self expression through his skateboarding and his music. [1]