DON WILSON

THE VENTURES

February 10TH 1933 - January 22ND 2022

‘THE LOST INTERVIEWS’

with RAY SHASHO

EPISODE 14

-Interviewed June 10th, 2014

Don Wilson and The Ventures have inspired thousands of promising musicians and enthusiasts across the globe for over five decades, and many of their pupils became legendary in the music world. Ventures alumni include… Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, Stephen Stills, Joe Walsh, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Elton John, John Bonham, Mick Fleetwood, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Gene Simmons, and many-many more.

At 81, Don Wilson, guitarist & co-founder of the legendary rock and roll/surf band says he has no plans for slowing down any time soon. The Ventures recently concluded a lengthy tour in Japan where they are still idolized. Don and his son Tim Wilson have also initiated a new record label with promising young musicians to mentor and promote.

THE VENTURES are the best-selling instrumental rock band in music history. In 1958, the group was formed by Tacoma, Washington residents Don Wilson (rhythm and lead guitar) and Bob Bogle (lead and bass guitar). The duo’s plan was to earn a permanent living playing guitar instead of working at their hard labor construction jobs as bricklayers. They originally performed as the Impacts and the Versatones before finally settling on The Ventures.

Nokie Edwards (lead guitar) joined in 1960 and they recorded their first big hit, a Chet Atkins cover entitled “Walk, Don’t Run.” The Ventures lineup in the studio also included Skip Mooreon drums. In 1960, the song peaked at #2 on the Billboard’s single chart amid stiff competition from Chubby Checker, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and Bryan Hyland. Drummer Howie Johnson replaced Moore in 1960. Mel Taylor became The Ventures permanent drummer in 1962 until his passing in 1996.

From 1960 through 1972, The Ventures consistently toured worldwide and charted 37 albums. The group was hailed as America’s instrumental Beatles.

Some of The Ventures  hit singles include … “Telstar,” “The Lonely Bull,” “Rebel-Rouser,” “Honky Tonk,” “Let's Go,” “Pipeline,” “Walk, Don't Run,” “Tequila,” “Apache,” “Wipe-Out, ”Memphis,” “Out of Limits,” and their mega-hit … “Hawaii Five-O” (#4 on Billboard’s Singles Chart -1969), (The album reached #11 on Billboard’s album chart).

The Ventures were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. That same year also marked The Ventures 50th Anniversary.

Here’s a list of incredible accomplishments by The Ventures …

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Class of 2008

Ranked #4 among all-time instrumental artists on Billboard's Single Charts

Ranked #6 among all 1960s artists on Billboard's Album Charts

Ranked #26 among all-time artists on Billboard's Album Charts

Ranked #20 in most albums on Billboard's Album Charts with 37

“Walk, Don't Run” is one of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Top 500 Hits of all time

1960 to 1969 - Placed 14 singles on Billboard's Single Charts

Gold singles:

“Walk, Don't Run (1960), “Walk Don't Run '64” (1964), “Hawaii Five-0” (1969),

1960 to 1972 - Placed 37 albums on Billboard's Album Charts with 5 on the charts simultaneously during 1963.

Gold albums:

Telstar and the Lonely Bull (1963), Golden Greats (1967), Hawaii Five-0 (1969)

To date, more than 450 LP and CD albums released worldwide (and still counting)

1960 to 1973 - Sold nearly 1,000,000 albums per year in the U.S.

Japan sales approaching 40,000,000 units (and still counting)

Collective worldwide sales approaching 100,000,000 units (and still counting)

1964 - Popularized Mosrite Guitars with introduction of The Ventures Model. Today these are among the most sought-after guitars, known for their tone and playability.

Successfully adapted their unique guitar style to countless changes in musical trends

Released an acclaimed set of instructional records with the Play Guitar with The Ventures series

Cited affectionately as "the group that launched a thousand bands"

Credited with popularizing rock and roll and the electric guitar in Japan

1971 - First non-Japanese artists elected to the Japanese Conservatory of Music

Jan 1987, Guitar Player magazine 20 Anniversary Issue cited Walk Don't Run as one of "20 Essential Rock Albums"

1990 - Inducted into the Washington State Music Hall of Fame

Feb 1996, Guitar magazine identified “Walk Don't Run” as one of ten 1960's albums included in “The Fifty Greatest Rock Guitar Records" (albums)

Inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk

Invited to participate in the Smithsonian Institution's celebration of the development of the electric guitar

Honored by Fender Guitars with a limited-edition line of Ventures Model Jazzmaster, Telecaster and Jazz Bass signature guitars

2001 - Honored by Aria Guitars with limited-edition Ventures Model guitars

2004 - Award by Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for contributing to friendly relations between Japan and US. No other artists in modern music share this honor

2005 – Washington State Senate Resolution 8645 to honor The Ventures, to "recognize the contributions of those who have had a significant impact over the evolution, development and perpetuation of rock and roll"

2006 – “Walk, Don't Run” is inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame

Numerous contributions to movie and commercial soundtracks, including ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Madagascar’

The Ventures have reached over 100- Million in record sales, 14-songs that hit the singles chart, and 37 albums that charted.

The band continues to record and tour with their current lineup of …Don Wilson (rhythm guitar- co-founder 1958), Nokie Edwards (lead guitar -joined 1960), Gerry McGee (lead guitar –joined 1968), Bob Spalding (lead and bass guitar –joined 1981), Leon Taylor (drums – joined 1996 after the passing of his father Mel Taylor).

Co-founder, lead and bass guitarist Bob Bogle passed away in 2009.

Drummer Mel Taylor passed away in 1996.

I had the rare privilege of chatting with Don Wilson back in June about … The “Walk, Don’t Run" legacy … The early days of The Ventures … Their devoted Japanese fans … My infamous ‘Field of Dreams’ question …The inception of “Hawaii Five-O”… And much-much more!

Here’s my interview with The Ventures legendary guitarist, co-founder, pioneer …DON WILSON.

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