Kevin Wilkins was my longest-running magazine editor and he was my friend.
Before that, he was the mind behind the very well-respected “Toner” column in TransWorld.
I’d never seen skateboarding written about the way Kevin did in “Toner”. In fact, writing about skateboarding in such a manner had never even occurred to me. And from what I read in all the other mags at the time, it didn’t seem to occur to anyone else either.
Fifteen years before I knew Kevin personally, “Toner” was what sparked my interest in writing to begin with as well as the inspiration and the glimmer of hope that I might be able to write for skate mags myself one day.
The fact that I ended up writing for him was something I never would have imagined.
I owe my career and success to many amazing people in the skateboarding world, but almost no one more than Kevin. Its the type of thing that floats around in my mind, always. Not just the gratitude, but the fact that I was able to work with one of my biggest inspirations collaboratively for so many years and that he chose me for his mag.
The writer I am now didn’t take shape when I started writing, but during my time at The Skateboard Mag with Kevin as my editor. He knew I had a vision and was trying to do something different and he believed in me and let me find my lane, while simultaneously keeping me in check and guiding me with his experience and wisdom.
As a writer, nothing is more paramount than that combination faith and guidance from an editor.
This interview took place in October of 2023 and we spoke for hours. Our intent was to have a second conversation but Kevin’s condition began to worsen, so we never got around to it.
I believe this is Kevin’s final interview on camera, therefore I didn’t cut any content out. Just a few audio glitches and breaks we took. What you will see is a raw conversation between friends, fellow skaters and writers and old co-workers. I felt that we should see as much of Kevin as we could now that he is gone.
I knew I was interviewing a man who wouldn’t be with us much longer. Kevin knew it too. I noticed when we got on the call right away he was a little slower than normal … but I don’t go into these interviews with any sort of time limit or rules. I just want to be human.
I wanted to talk to my friend. I wanted to have him share things with us that maybe we didn’t know. I wanted to hear how he felt about cancer and his uncertain future. I wanted to thank him for helping and believing in me. I wanted him to know how important he was to so many people.
Editing this for the last two days, and watching us talk, it didn’t even feel like Kevin was gone. I honestly don’t know what was more strange, doing the interview with a dying man, or editing one after they have passed. Both new experiences for me, but spending the last 2-3 days with Kevin was awesome.
Huge shout out to Grind for Life and Mike Rogers. Kevin speaks at length about the organization, how they helped him and the amazing work they do. PLEASE donate if you can.
Huge “eat a dick” to Steve Berra, the rich guy, who Kevin explains didn’t fully pay out his friends and left them struggling when The Berrics bought their mag. No one’s suprised to hear yet another story like that about Steve, but I often wonder how someone like him lives with himself and his actions after a loss like this.
Don’t be an asshole to people. It really isn’t that difficult.
Thank you for everything Kevin. We miss you and love you ♥️🛹✍🏻
Brink’s Show is available on:
Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/UI4NS
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/xHR0a
YouTube: https://shorturl.at/RcJKB
IG: https://instagram.com/robertbrink
