Mike Vallely

Mike Vallely (pronounced VAL-uh-lee; born June 29, 1970), a.k.a. Mike V, is an American professional skateboarder.

Vallely was born in Edison, New Jersey and resides in Long Beach, California. He is the singer in the hardcore band Revolution Mother and in the punk rock 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 Skateboards team as a pro skater. 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 a wife Ann and two children, Emily and Lucy.

Mike Vallely started skateboarding in the autumn of 1984 and was sponsored only two years later in the summer of 1986 by Powell Peralta. That same summer he was the NSA National Amateur Streetstyle Champion and appeared on the cover of Thrasher Magazine.

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

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

In 1997 Vallely 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 Vallely 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 2002 Build Worldwide released the documentary film DRIVE detailing Vallely’s career, his passion for skateboarding and his dedication to the skateboard community. That same year Vallely formed his band Mike V And The Rats as well as recorded his first solo record with Pittsburgh singer / songwriter Joe Grushecky.

In 2003 Vallely 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 Vallely’s television series, DRIVE: Notes From The Wilderness and Sportskool began airing Mike V’s Video On Demand skateboard instructional segments on digital cable. Vallely 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.

Vallely is an avid ice hockey fan and player. He has done charity work for the NHL and is currently working with the Anaheim Ducks to promote hockey in Southern California. Vallely 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.