The skateboarding world has been handed a heavy blow with the passing of one of the most iconic vert legends, Jeff Grosso.

Tributes are flooding the feed of Instagram – especially on Grosso’s post from less than 24 hours ago, joyfully dancing with his son to Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows”. Sources say that the 51-year-old icon passed away from a heart attack.

Image above: Flipping the bird in 2014. Photo by Todd Fuller.

Michael Burnett left these heartfelt words on Thrasher's ’Gram:

“Today we have the terrible task of saying a heartbreaking goodbye to beloved verticalist, commentator and friend of the mag Jeff Grosso.

“Jeff went from number-one amateur to ’80s superstar to cautionary tale and back again.

“His latest role as lovable curmudgeon, host of his own history-packed web series and keeper of skateboarding’s righteousness, unafraid to offend or annoy in his quest to educate, was by far his greatest – second only to being Oliver’s dad.

“Ripping ’til the end, he became an unlikely mentor to the generations that followed – from Muska and Tom, to Lizzie and Brighton – always cheering, heckling or offering advice.

“Jeff could be as gentle and sincere as he could be hilarious and hard (on the coping and himself.) He ALWAYS skated with style. His grinds were long, his backside airs were head high, and his handplants were stalled out and sadder than a funeral.

“He will be sorely, sorely missed. Our hearts go out to his family and many friends. RIP @grossosucks.” 

Boosting a backside air on Lance’s Ramp, circa ’84. Photo by MOFO. 

Our thoughts are with Grosso’s family, friends, and his fans which span over four decades of his career as one of the most real skateboarders ever. May he stall his sad plants in the next life for every fan of the great man that he leaves behind.

Inverted in 2013. Photo by Dave Swift.