I don't know about the Gecko connection, but he certainly worked on Skateboard! magazine. One of the last things I did for them was a road trip to Brighton with him (Baker and co grabbing passing car handles etc)
Hi rocky brann its mychal here ( michael ) sorry to read about your buddy I to iam in the same boat iam trying to find any info photos film or video of my brother now rideing the bowls in the sky I picked on u because u mention the 70's & also the mention of sidewalk surfers ( CHINGFORD ) if I remember right I was from LEYTON anyway my BROTHERS NAME CLIVE MANDERSON he used to ride for HOBIE & SOME OTHER TEAMS & WAS A MARSHALL AT SKATECITY IN THE LATE 70'S if u can help that would b great if u can't that's kool 2 IF U WANT 2 PUT THIS OUT THERE THAT'S OK WITH ME ANY NEWS WOULD B GOOD NEWS ONCE AGAIN SORRY ABOUT UR FRIEND