Tony Hawk Vows Never To Retire From Skateboarding Until Interpol Quits Touring

Skateboarding royalty met indie rock royalty in San Diego over the weekend. Tony Hawk surprised thousands of concertgoers at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on Saturday night when he stepped onto the stage to hype up Interpol before their headlining set. The legendary athlete did far more than just give a quick intro. Taking the microphone, Hawk delivered a major promise to the audience, tying his own high-flying career on the board directly to the band's ongoing musical journey. Hawk made a bold declaration to the crowd, vowing that he will never hang up his skateboard as long as the group remains active on stage. He told fans he has no intention of stepping away from riding until the band officially decides to call it quits on touring.

How did Tony Hawk first meet Interpol?

During his speech, the extreme sports icon reflected on his long history of fandom. He recalled first discovering the NYC rockers back in 2002 when their groundbreaking debut album hit shelves. However, their paths did not cross in person until a memorable late-night television appearance two years later. Back in 2004, Hawk was booked as an interview guest on Jay Leno's US talk show on the exact same evening Interpol was scheduled as the musical act. The skater recounted having a custom halfpipe constructed behind the sound stage, creating an unforgettable backstage crossover.

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What did Tony Hawk say about Interpol on stage?

Hawk shared a classic memory from that fateful late-night taping. While the band ran through their hit single during soundcheck, Hawk was practicing his own craft just feet away on the ramp. He remembered watching the group play their track while they paused to watch him execute his own tricks. That early-2000s connection created a lasting bond between the two pop-culture juggernauts. With Interpol continuing their current slate of live US dates, Hawk's playful oath ensures that neither legend is retiring anytime soon.