Guitar World has reported that, “Don Wilson, co-founding rhythm guitarist of instrumental rock outfit The Ventures, has died aged 88. A trailblazing instrumental rock group, The Ventures sold a staggering 100-million records during their decades-long tenure.
The band was formed in 1958 by Don Wilson and guitarist/bassist Bob Bogle, both construction workers at the time. Drummer Howie Johnson and guitarist Nokie Edwards joined shortly thereafter. While the group remains active to this day, Don Wilson was the last surviving founding member.
The Ventures enjoyed a string of hits, most notably including 1960’s Walk, Don’t Run. The track – which was originally written by jazz guitarist Johnny Smith in 1954, and later adapted and re-recorded by Chet Atkins in 1956 – was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006 for its “lasting impact” on music.
The band’s other notable tracks include Wipeout, Perfidia and their cover of the Hawaii Five-0 theme song by Morton Stevens. The Ventures were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 by Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty.
Additionally, the band had a partnership with American guitar maker Mosrite, which yielded the brand’s flagship Ventures model. This electric guitar later grew to become revered in surf and punk circles, and remains a sought-after instrument to this day – Johnny Ramone’s Ventures II model sold at auction for $937,500 last year.”
– Jet Cannon
