As I write this, the reality still hasn’t fully set in. It was less than a month ago that Marc came to San Jose to hang out. He was sober, healthy, and full of life. We had a blast reminiscing about the old days. He seemed genuinely excited about the future. He even extended his ticket by a couple of days so he could explore some of the old haunts around San Jose.
When it came time to drop him off at the airport, he handed me an envelope. I waited until I got home to open it. Inside was a three-page list of his hopes and dreams for the future. Never in a million years did I imagine that less than a month later, he would be gone.
I met Marc when he was 17. I watched him achieve all his skateboard dreams, and I sat next to him at the “Away Days” premiere—only to later watch his career fall apart. I still don’t understand why my friend is gone at 49 years old. I don’t know why he chose to come visit me. Was there some bigger purpose to it, or was he looking for closure?
Marc was a genius and a tortured soul. He told me he wanted to be remembered for his skateboarding, not for his failures or shortcomings. He was just a poor kid from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who grew up in a trailer at the end of a dirt road. Yet he made it out, traveled the world, and touched so many lives. He will live on through the video parts that nobody can recreate. He gave opportunities to people who might never have had a chance otherwise.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Marc Johnson was the single most influential person in my life. Everything he did was art. He was endlessly creative and always tried to elevate his friends and everyone around him. He opened doors for guys like me and Jerry, and single-handedly put San Jose back on the map. Marc had the golden touch—whether it was on a skateboard, creating brands, or developing ad campaigns.
Marc Johnson passed away today. He was one of the most talented and creative people to ever step on or off a skateboard.
So nuts as I’ve not watched any MJ in years, but on the bus this morning 5 years came on and was reminded to watch his pretty sweet part - so I switched over to YT. RIP MJ, the skating was great.
Stunned by this news. Such a talent. Always loved his video parts. His one in Modus set to Built to Spill is so ingrained in my mind. His Man Down one skating to Miss You is so great as well.
Watching pro skaters you idolised struggle once their careers are over is so tough. Really think more needs to be done to support some of them (I guess a big question is, by who?). Wonder if this will be a bit of a wake up call for a lot of industry people.
Gutted. One of my favourite skaters to ever ride a board. I used to watch his 411 profile on Best of Vol 4 loads. That obscure track he used for the tiltmode video and his part in Mandown. Legend.
The fact you could just type MJ instead of his full name and everyone knew who you meant shows how loved and how much he stood out in a crowded world of pro skaters these days. Like most people, he is one of my all time favs. From his skating of course, to his art and the graphics he designed too.
