Skatemaster Tate & His Concrete Crew 1988 Tapestry

Tate, or 'Taters' as his friends called him, was born Gerry Hurtado in Los Angeles, California. Tate was a top amateur skater in the early 1970s, but always downplayed his skating by saying he "only skated for fun." Tate later attended a broadcasting trade school and applied his trade by working as a DJ in punk rock clubs. From his time in the clubs, Tate took up more interest in the newly growing skate rock movement, and recorded his first song, "Skaterock Rap," in his friend's basement in 1983. Upon its release, it became popular with skaters which led to becoming a popular opening act and the release of five albums. When not performing his skate rap, Taters was becoming a familiar voice as emcee at skate contests and events.