Let's Recognize how Badass Glen E. Friedman is

This photo perfectly represents where it all began: skateboarding in an empty pool. In his lifetime, Glen E. Friedman photographed nearly every famous skateboarder known by the majority of people today. This one here is Jay Adams, and this picture is made even more powerful by the fact that he died in 2014 of a heart attack, 36 years after the photo was taken.

This photo, taken thousands of feet in the air, perfectly demonstrates the many angles of Glen E. Friedman. He is known for taking grungy photos. But the purity of this image shows us that there is more to him than most people think.

This is the face I make when I see Glen's photos. All kidding aside, the candid shot that this captures is hard to get. You may see a meme, but I see a genuine shot of Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat. The band disbanded the following year, again, making the importance of the photo all the more relevant.

Before he was Ice-T, he was Tracy Lauren Marrow. But today, he is known as one of the greatest rappers of his time who doubles as an actor. The funny thing is, when this photo was taken, his now wife, was just seven years old! Today, the two have a reality TV show!

This was the year it all started 1976. Paul Constantineau may not be well known today, but he was one of Glen's first subjects and a good one at that. At the time, the perspective that Glen had was unmatched and is what made his career blossom.

Even more well-known than Ice-T is LL Cool J, the actor, rapper, and author. This photo was taken when he was just 16-years old! It's as if everyone that Glen photographs becomes a legend. In fact, this was the year LL Cool J released his first album under Def Jam Recordings.

Shogo Kubo's story isn't well known, but he was one of the original Z-Boys. He was born in Japan, and Jay Adams was one of his first real friends after moving to the US.  Like Jay, he died in 2014. Since Glen caught snaps of them the same year, likely the same day, this is amazing as it shows the connection the two had.

Another important shot that shows the diversity of Glen. He saw what no one else did. This could very likely be the reason he photographed so many bands and athletes that would one day become legends. He could see what no one else could. He saw perfection through imperfection.

This photo proves that he could see legends before they were famous. Black Flag might have been known in 1983, but looking at this raw photo, you can see it was as casual as they come. It is very reminiscent of a garage performance and displays garage concerts with amazing accuracy.

Another photo of Paul Constantineau shows yet another beautiful perspective of skateboarding. This was most likely one of the original DogTown boards as well, in its natural, teen-scrawled form. Welcome to the 70s.

So, maybe KISS isn't here, but Make-up, the 1990s punk rock band is. The gospel-based band was formed the very year this photo was taken in 1995. If anything, this shot should have been an album cover as it captures the wild side of the band, while maintaining the conservative, gospel side of them.

Do a 180, and you'll see the other side of things, as Glen obviously did. The basis of this photo is unknown to most, but something about it speaks so many volumes, you won't know what to think. To think that a skater and rock band photographer would see this forces you to see the bigger picture and not judge a book by its cover.

This photo is pure gold. Glen deserves an award for perspective so raw and gritty. A close-up of the hand of a guitarist performing in front of his fans isn't done often. The detail that this took to observe was outstanding and is a perfect display of adding emotion to the art of photography.

Again, with this man's perspective! Taken at a Fugazi concert, this foot pedal close-up also deserves an award. Glen makes us feel as if we are there, watching (or stalking) the band from side-stage. This ability is sought after by the greatest of photographers.

Getting a shot of a skater while inside the bowl is no easy feat, as it isn't readily allowed. But somehow, Glen ‘snuck' in and snapped a few. He not only capture the grab at the perfect moment but also got a great shot of the adoring crowd.

The origins of this photo are unknown, but with all of the music, boards, concrete, crowds, and noise, this piece of peace is much needed for all of those involved in the performing industry. It holds more than peace, a long life. As well as the perspective of the house that was once a tree like the one it's standing under.

If Tony Hawk is the most famous skater of all time, Rodney Mullen is the second. This fresh-faced shot of the young Mullen is extremely rare. But if you'll look closely, you'll see the skill he had at the time.

You may be cool, but you'll never be as cool as Glen E. Friedman with Sean Penn, the Beastie Boys, and David Lee Roth at Madonna's party in 1986. Never. You can literally spend your whole life trying and this moment will never fail to surpass you.

The best part about this photo is not just that Glen got a candid shot of Mike Tyson. But rather, the story behind it. Mike Tyson was trying to tell Glen a story but was frustrated that he wouldn't stop taking pictures.

It's 1987, and you're at a Slayer concert for Reign in Blood. You capture the perfect shot of Kerry King during a performance. Your life is now complete. If you've ever been to a metal concert, you'll know that there is hardly a better representation of the performers on stage.

So, maybe this picture is cooler than Madonna's party, at least for skateboarders. In this photo, Glen captures a very young Rodney Mullen with none other than Steve Caballero. No one but a few school buddies knew them at the time. But Glen knew that these two would make skateboarding history.