05/24/2026
(It’s a tad long, but a great story)
With the recent passing of Rob Base, this may be the best time to share a scene in my Screen Play about Rob! A talented artist for sure, I’ve always treasured his performance at SkateLand USA Compton, he controlled the crowed the minute he stepped on stage!
The night he performed, @ about 5 pm the bus driver of his rig asked where to park! I had Bobby Finch direct him to the front parking lot which we rarely used, that way Bobby could bring him in that way rather than move the giant bus to the back!
It had been there about 30 mins, when I was told Mr. Base needed to talk to the Manager, which was also one of my jobs!
I knocked on the door and the driver, escorted me to the rear of the bus, Mr. Base was laying on the bed, next to one of the finest women I’d seen lately! He barked at me, “you the manager, I demand to speak with the manager”?
“Is there a problem Mr. Base,” I calmly stated! He kinda lean forward and barked again, “yah, I haven’t been paid yet and I’m letting you’all know, if I ain’t paid now, I ain’t going on stage!”
Shocked??? No, I was not shocked, I wasn’t even pi**ed. I took a half step back and commented calmly, yet much more intensity, “ROB, I’m the Owner of SkateLand USA Compton, I’m the GUY that pays the $6,000 a month mortgage every month on this Mother Fu**er, that you just happen to have your bus parked on”!
I continued, “ you weren’t the person I struck the deal with to perform tonight, you don’t even look like Rob Base! The Guy on the album cover is much prettier than you, so if your Manager doesn’t contact me within 1 hour prior to performance time, my towing company is going to move this piece of s**t to the middle of Central Avenue! That gives you about 2 1/2 hours by my watch!”
I was contacted, within 46 mins, Rob’s performance was sterling, his Manger was paid, and I thanked Rob for coming to COMPTON!
