Shogo Kubo (September 19, 1959 – June 24, 2014) was a Japanese-American skateboarding pioneer and one of the original members of the Z-Boys that formed in Venice, California in 1975.Colin Bane, Z-Boys skateboarder Shogo Kubo dies, ESPN.com, June 25, 2014, accessed January 28, 2017.
Born in Kagoshima, Japan, Kubo began skateboarding when he was 6 years old.Jay Adams, Dogtown Chronicles: Shogo Kubo, Juice, August 1, 2002, accessed January 28, 2017.
When he moved to the United States, he took an interest in surfing. He became friends with Jay Adams after responding to a newspaper ad about a surfboard Adams was selling. Kubo used Adams's skateboard, which eventually led to his passion for skateboarding and his joining the Z-Boys. His style was widely respected by his peers. He influenced future pro-skateboarders such as Christian Hosoi and was featured in the Dogtown photos of Glen E. Friedman.Shepard Fairey, , Obey Giant, June 27, 2014, accessed January 28, 2017.
Shogo left the competitive scene in the 1980s, later moving to Hawaii where he got married and had two children. In the 2005 American biographical drama film Lords of Dogtown, Kubo was portrayed by pro skateboarder Don Nguyen. Kubo designed a sneaker for Nike in 2007, the Nike SB "Shogo" Blazers.Nike SB Blazer “Shogo” Release, August 18, 2007, accessed January 28, 2017. Kubo had worn Nike Blazers while skateboarding since the 1970s.Russ Bengtson, Gallery: '80s Skate Icons In Classic Basketball Shoes, Complex, August 17, 2011, accessed January 28, 2017.
Death Kubo was found unresponsive while paddleboarding off Portlock Point in Hawaii Kai, Honolulu. He died of a brain aneurysm at age 54. He was survived by his wife, Michiyo; son, Shota; daughter, Meagan; brothers Yoshifumi and Shinya; and sister, Reiko Masuda.Shogo Kubo, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, June 27, 2014, accessed January 28, 2017.
References
External links Interview with Shogo Kubo