The Ventures are an American instrumental surf rock band formed in Tacoma, … Read Full Bio ↴The Ventures are an American instrumental surf rock band formed in Tacoma, Washington, in 1958, by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar across the world during the 1960s. While their popularity in the United States waned in the 1970s, the group remains especially revered in Japan, where they toured regularly. The classic lineup of the band consisted of Wilson (rhythm guitar), Bogle (initially lead guitar, later bass), Nokie Edwards (initially bass, later lead guitar), and Mel Taylor (drums).
Their first wide-release single, "Walk, Don't Run" (1960), brought international fame to the group, and is often cited as one of the top songs ever recorded for guitar. In the 1960s and early 1970s, 38 of the band's albums charted in the US, ranking them as the 6th best album chart performer during the 1960s, and the band had 14 singles in the Billboard Hot 100. With over 100 million records sold, the Ventures are the best-selling instrumental band of all time.
The Ventures have had an enduring impact on the development of music worldwide. The band was among the first to employ and popularize fuzz and flanging guitar effects, concept albums, and twelve-string guitars in rock music. Their instrumental virtuosity, innovation, and unique sound influenced many musicians and bands, earning the group the moniker "The Band that Launched a Thousand Bands". Their recording of "Walk, Don't Run" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its lasting impact, and in 2008 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Don Wilson and Bob Bogle first met in 1958, when Bogle was looking to buy a car from a used car dealership in Seattle owned by Wilson's father. Finding a common interest in guitars, the two decided to play together, while Wilson joined Bogle performing masonry work. They bought two used guitars in a pawn shop for about $10 each. Initially calling themselves the Versatones, the duo played small clubs, beer bars, and private parties throughout the Pacific Northwest. Wilson played rhythm guitar, Bogle lead. When they went to register the band name, they found that it was already taken. Disappointed, they cast about for an appropriate name. Wilson's mother suggested the name "The Ventures", upon which they eventually agreed in 1959.
During their first years (1958–1961), the Ventures played Fender guitars (a Jazzmaster, a Stratocaster and a Precision Bass) for both their live performances and their recording sessions. These instruments are prominently visible on the covers of two early albums: The Ventures and The Colorful Ventures. From 1962 to 1963 they used two Jazzmasters with a Precision Bass, shown on the album cover of "Bobby Vee meets The Ventures". Then in early 1963, California guitar manufacturer Mosrite re-branded their uniquely styled, futuristic-looking Mark 1 electric guitar model for the Ventures by applying decals that stated "The Ventures Model" on the headstock. The band adopted these guitars (which included a bass model) and first used them on The Ventures in Space (1963), one of their most influential albums because of the unique, otherworldly guitar sounds it contained. From 1963 through 1968, a statement on their album covers announced that the Ventures used Mosrite guitars "exclusively" (the Ventures and designer Semie Moseley were partners in the distribution of these instruments). After the expiration of their contract with Moseley, the Ventures returned to playing mainly Fender guitars. Only rarely have they used Mosrite guitars since that contract ended.
In the mid-1990s, Fender issued a limited edition Ventures Signature Series of guitars consisting of a Jazzmaster, a Stratocaster, and a Fender Jazz Bass, all with specifications determined by the band.
Aria Guitars and Wilson Brothers Guitars have subsequently issued Ventures Signature Model instruments. The Wilson Brothers guitar, in particular, is closely modeled physically on the original Mosrite design.
The Ventures pioneered the use of special effects on such songs as "The 2000 Pound Bee", recorded in late 1962, in which lead guitarist Nokie Edwards employed a fuzz pedal. Edwards' use of "fuzz tone" predated the "King of Fuzz Guitar", Davie Allan of The Arrows, by at least three years. In addition, Edwards was among the first to use the twelve-string guitar in rock. The 1964 The Ventures In Space album was a primer in the use of special guitar effects, and made pioneering use of 'reverse-tracking'. The Ventures In Space, because of its ethereal space-like effects, was deemed an influence on the later 1960s San Francisco psychedelic generation, as well as being cited as a favorite by Keith Moon of the Who.
The band's cover of the Tornados' "Telstar" (released in January 1963) featured one of the first instances of flanging on a pop record. The song "Silver Bells" on The Ventures' Christmas Album, released in November 1965, has one of the first recorded uses of a talk box as a musical effect, voiced by Red Rhodes.
The Ventures have had an influence on many musicians, both professional and amateur. Their instructional album, Play Guitar with the Ventures, was the first such record to chart on the Billboard Top LPs list, peaking at No. 96, and taught thousands of budding guitarists how to play the guitar. George Harrison stated in a Guitar Player interview that he preferred the American guitar sound of the Ventures to British contemporaries. When asked to name the most influential rock guitar solos, Joe Walsh said he would have to include the entire song "Walk, Don't Run" because it changed so many guitar players' lives. John Fogerty, during his introduction of the Ventures at their Hall of Fame induction, said that it "kicked open a whole movement in rock and roll... The sound of it became 'surf music' and the audacity of it empowered guitarists everywhere." Stephen Stills told Ventures guitarist Don Wilson that he learned to play on Ventures records. Jeff Baxter and Gene Simmons were early members of the Ventures Fan Club. Carl Wilson called the Ventures a major influence on his early guitar playing, stating that the Beach Boys had learned to play all of their songs by ear.
Bob Bogle lived in Vancouver, Washington, for years and died there on June 14, 2009, of non-Hodgkin lymphoma; he was 75.
Nokie Edwards died on March 12, 2018, due to complications after hip surgery. He was 82.
Gerry McGee died on October 12, 2019, after having a heart attack and collapsing onstage four days earlier in Japan. He was 81.
Don Wilson continued to record with the band, but retired from touring at the end of 2015. He died of natural causes on January 22, 2022, at the age of 88.
Mel Taylor died on August 11, 1996, of cancer, at the age of 62. He was diagnosed two weeks before his death.
Their first wide-release single, "Walk, Don't Run" (1960), brought international fame to the group, and is often cited as one of the top songs ever recorded for guitar. In the 1960s and early 1970s, 38 of the band's albums charted in the US, ranking them as the 6th best album chart performer during the 1960s, and the band had 14 singles in the Billboard Hot 100. With over 100 million records sold, the Ventures are the best-selling instrumental band of all time.
The Ventures have had an enduring impact on the development of music worldwide. The band was among the first to employ and popularize fuzz and flanging guitar effects, concept albums, and twelve-string guitars in rock music. Their instrumental virtuosity, innovation, and unique sound influenced many musicians and bands, earning the group the moniker "The Band that Launched a Thousand Bands". Their recording of "Walk, Don't Run" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its lasting impact, and in 2008 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Don Wilson and Bob Bogle first met in 1958, when Bogle was looking to buy a car from a used car dealership in Seattle owned by Wilson's father. Finding a common interest in guitars, the two decided to play together, while Wilson joined Bogle performing masonry work. They bought two used guitars in a pawn shop for about $10 each. Initially calling themselves the Versatones, the duo played small clubs, beer bars, and private parties throughout the Pacific Northwest. Wilson played rhythm guitar, Bogle lead. When they went to register the band name, they found that it was already taken. Disappointed, they cast about for an appropriate name. Wilson's mother suggested the name "The Ventures", upon which they eventually agreed in 1959.
During their first years (1958–1961), the Ventures played Fender guitars (a Jazzmaster, a Stratocaster and a Precision Bass) for both their live performances and their recording sessions. These instruments are prominently visible on the covers of two early albums: The Ventures and The Colorful Ventures. From 1962 to 1963 they used two Jazzmasters with a Precision Bass, shown on the album cover of "Bobby Vee meets The Ventures". Then in early 1963, California guitar manufacturer Mosrite re-branded their uniquely styled, futuristic-looking Mark 1 electric guitar model for the Ventures by applying decals that stated "The Ventures Model" on the headstock. The band adopted these guitars (which included a bass model) and first used them on The Ventures in Space (1963), one of their most influential albums because of the unique, otherworldly guitar sounds it contained. From 1963 through 1968, a statement on their album covers announced that the Ventures used Mosrite guitars "exclusively" (the Ventures and designer Semie Moseley were partners in the distribution of these instruments). After the expiration of their contract with Moseley, the Ventures returned to playing mainly Fender guitars. Only rarely have they used Mosrite guitars since that contract ended.
In the mid-1990s, Fender issued a limited edition Ventures Signature Series of guitars consisting of a Jazzmaster, a Stratocaster, and a Fender Jazz Bass, all with specifications determined by the band.
Aria Guitars and Wilson Brothers Guitars have subsequently issued Ventures Signature Model instruments. The Wilson Brothers guitar, in particular, is closely modeled physically on the original Mosrite design.
The Ventures pioneered the use of special effects on such songs as "The 2000 Pound Bee", recorded in late 1962, in which lead guitarist Nokie Edwards employed a fuzz pedal. Edwards' use of "fuzz tone" predated the "King of Fuzz Guitar", Davie Allan of The Arrows, by at least three years. In addition, Edwards was among the first to use the twelve-string guitar in rock. The 1964 The Ventures In Space album was a primer in the use of special guitar effects, and made pioneering use of 'reverse-tracking'. The Ventures In Space, because of its ethereal space-like effects, was deemed an influence on the later 1960s San Francisco psychedelic generation, as well as being cited as a favorite by Keith Moon of the Who.
The band's cover of the Tornados' "Telstar" (released in January 1963) featured one of the first instances of flanging on a pop record. The song "Silver Bells" on The Ventures' Christmas Album, released in November 1965, has one of the first recorded uses of a talk box as a musical effect, voiced by Red Rhodes.
The Ventures have had an influence on many musicians, both professional and amateur. Their instructional album, Play Guitar with the Ventures, was the first such record to chart on the Billboard Top LPs list, peaking at No. 96, and taught thousands of budding guitarists how to play the guitar. George Harrison stated in a Guitar Player interview that he preferred the American guitar sound of the Ventures to British contemporaries. When asked to name the most influential rock guitar solos, Joe Walsh said he would have to include the entire song "Walk, Don't Run" because it changed so many guitar players' lives. John Fogerty, during his introduction of the Ventures at their Hall of Fame induction, said that it "kicked open a whole movement in rock and roll... The sound of it became 'surf music' and the audacity of it empowered guitarists everywhere." Stephen Stills told Ventures guitarist Don Wilson that he learned to play on Ventures records. Jeff Baxter and Gene Simmons were early members of the Ventures Fan Club. Carl Wilson called the Ventures a major influence on his early guitar playing, stating that the Beach Boys had learned to play all of their songs by ear.
Bob Bogle lived in Vancouver, Washington, for years and died there on June 14, 2009, of non-Hodgkin lymphoma; he was 75.
Nokie Edwards died on March 12, 2018, due to complications after hip surgery. He was 82.
Gerry McGee died on October 12, 2019, after having a heart attack and collapsing onstage four days earlier in Japan. He was 81.
Don Wilson continued to record with the band, but retired from touring at the end of 2015. He died of natural causes on January 22, 2022, at the age of 88.
Mel Taylor died on August 11, 1996, of cancer, at the age of 62. He was diagnosed two weeks before his death.
Werewolf
The Ventures Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Werewolf' by these artists:
1. Horror Turn the lights off, turn the lights off Daddy better lock…
Absurd Wenn der vollmond scheint, In finstrer nacht Hr ich wie die…
Andrew Dupuis Werewolf, werewolf A runaway in the stars I'm a werewolf, we…
Athina Don't joke 'bout me You know I'm not afraid To cut you…
Cat Power Oh the werewolf, oh the werewolf Comes stepping along He don…
Coco Rosie In a dream I was a werewolf My soul was filled…
Daddy Lion In a quiet town Passing as anybody around I'm confused as …
Death By Horse Werewolf Try to put your self in my position (whisper) My …
Death SS Tonight I'm feeling so strange I feel a strange sensation …
dj-chart In the night under the full moon, c creature transforms, c m…
Erazerhead wolf howls oh I will never fall in love,my heart is…
Esthetic Education Je marchais proche de toi la bave à la bouche…
Face Face Well once I saw the werewolf He was creeping on his…
Figure (Werewolf howl) The werewolf (More werewolf howls) You is a …
Fiona Apple I could liken you to a werewolf The way you left…
Five Man Electrical Band Momma said "There's something weird 'bout Billy I looked in …
Flowers From the Man Who Shot Your Cousin Rest your head but not too long Or else God could…
Forgive-Me-Not Roaming the planet all around No need in blood and gore Go…
Francoiz Breut Ah, the werewolf Ah, the werewolf Comes tipping along He don…
Frantics Momma said "There's something weird 'bout Billy I looked in…
Galleons What do I do when you don't feel whole You're hang…
Gehenna Inescapable darkness draws us in It is here the unspeakabl…
Hurley Michael Oh the werewolf, oh the werewolf Comes a-stepping along He d…
JoJo Worthington Wake up from your bed Try to be someone you're not Put…
LIL UZI VERT (Deep down I'm jealous of the daywalkers) (When night time c…
Lyle Some days I am Caesar Some days I am Christ…
Mama Doom I like your blood I like the way you're looking at…
Man Man You'd look nice in a grave I smile at the moon,…
Metronomy Oh the werewolf, oh the werewolf Comes stepping along He d…
Michael Hurley Oh the werewolf, oh the werewolf Comes a-stepping along He d…
Motionless in White I can feel you, I can hear you, howling in…
Mr. Baseman & The Symbols Submarine, Mitzi and Dan, Gorditio Dark Smoke Puncher Chasin…
one Turn the lights off, turn the lights off Daddy better lock…
Peter and the Wolves Some days I am Caesar Some days I am Christ Some days…
Peter Stampfel Oh the werewolf, oh the werewolf Goes steppin' along He don'…
Peter Thomas Some days I am Caesar Some days I am Christ Some days…
Rascal Miles Full Moon Gotta go I'll see you soon Hair's risin' On the b…
Rekuiem howl from the dark teeth leave their mark blood drained away…
Sky Ferreira Your face is sad I've kissed your mouth About a million time…
Smith Lyle & Moore Some days I am Caesar Some days I am Christ Some days…
Temnozor' Колдовских легенд, Сумеречных снов Сквозь сплетенья вен - Рд…
The A.X.E. Project Scared myself awake with my homemade wooden stake Goodbye th…
The Blood Moon Howlers Oh the werewolf, the werewolf Comes stepping along He don't …
The Cramps I was a teenage werewolf Braces on my fangs I was a…
The Five Man Electrical Band Momma said "There's something weird 'bout Billy I looked in …
The Frantic Momma said "There's something weird 'bout Billy I looked in…
The Hitchcocks WEREWOLF Full moon the air is still, the smell of flesh…
The Savage Radley Oh you left me when I wasn't home. All of your…
Timber Timbre I'm a trucker, I'm a werewolf Smile while lookin' at ya Sm…
Tip the Van The moon is high in the sky tonight And I can't…
Tryglav With our howling, we conquer the night Running under shining…
V.A. Momma said "There's something weird 'bout Billy I looked in …
Wasteland Rocks The moon is high Above on the sky And the…
►..ιllιlι..Cat Power Oh the werewolf, oh the werewolf Comes stepping along He d…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Ventures:
(Ghost) Riders in the Sky An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy…
1999 A.D Crash on the levee, mama Water's gonna overflow Swamp's gonn…
A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You Walk out, Girl don't you walk out We've got things to say Ta…
Batman Theme Batman, Batman, Batman Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman B…
Begin the Beguine When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound of…
Beyond the Reef Beyond the reef where the sea is dark and cold My…
Bless The Beasts And Children Bless the beasts and the children, For in this world they…
Blue Christmas I'll have a Blue Christmas without you I'll be so …
Blue Moon Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Blue Star Blue star, when I am blue All I do is look…
Blue Tango Here am I with you in a world of blue And…
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER When you're down and out When you're on the street When even…
By The Time I Get To Phoenix By the time I get to Phoenix, she'll be rising She'll…
Caravan Night and stars above that shine so bright The myst'ry…
Cry Like A Baby When I think about the good love you gave me I…
Danny Boy Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen…
Deep Woo, Wo-o-oo-wo-wo, Wo-o-oo-wo-wo, Wo-o-oo-wo-wo When the…
Diamond Head ( Instrumental )…
Diamonds Are Forever Diamonds are forever, they are all I need to please…
Down On Me Do you ever try to let me stay Do you ever…
Eleanor Rigby Ah look at all the lonely people Ah look at all…
Fire Growin' up you don't see the writing on the wall. Passin'…
From Russia with Love From Russia with love, I fly to you Much wiser since…
Frosty The Snowman Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul With a corncob…
Galveston Galveston, oh, Galveston, I still hear your seawinds blowi…
Ghost Riders in the Sky An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy…
Golden Earrings There's a story the gypsies know is true That when your…
Good Morning Starshine Good morning starshine, the earth says "Hello" You twinkle a…
Good morning sunshine Good morning starshine, the earth says "Hello" You twinkle …
Green fields Once there were green fields kissed by the sun Once…
Green Hornet '66 the Green Hornet!…
Green Leaves of Summer A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'. The…
Greenfields Once there were green fields kissed by the sun Once…
Groovin' Groovin', on a Sunday afternoon Really couldn't get away to…
Harlem Nocturne This is the song of little Jo She′s not the girl…
Hawaii 5-0 And now I'm like, "Well, well, well What the fuck is…
Hawaii Five-O INSTRUMENTAL…
Hey Jude Hey Jude, don't make it bad Take a sad song and…
Honeycomb Well, it's a darn good life and it's kinda funny How…
Honky Tonk Pretty Paper is playing on the jukebox And mistletoe is hang…
House of the Rising Sun There is a house in New Orleans They call, 'The Rising…
Hully Gully A-there's a dance spreadin' round Like an awful disease (Hul…
I I will never turn my back on you If I wanted…
I Feel Fine Baby's good to me, you know, She's happy as can be,…
It It's gonna take some time this time To get myself in…
La Bamba Para bailar la bamba Para bailar la bamba se necesita una…
Last Night Oh last night…
Last Tango In Paris We don't exist We are nothing but shadow and mist In the…
Let It Be When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary…
Let's Twist Again Come on let's twist again Like you did last summer…
Linda Lu Well, they call my baby, Patty But her real name, her…
Little Bit Of Action Walk out, Girl don't you walk out We've got things to say Ta…
Live And Let Die When you were young And your heart was an open book You…
Loco-Motion Everybody's doing a brand-new dance, now (Come on baby, do t…
Lolita Ya Ya There's a summer place Where it may rain or storm Yet I'm…
Lonesome Town There's a place where lovers go to cry their troubles…
Love Goddess Of Venus …
Love Potion Number 9 I took my troubles down to Madame Rue You know that…
Lovesick Blues I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love with a girl, That's…
Lucille Ah Lucille Baby do your sister's will Ah Lucille Baby do you…
Memphis Long distance information Give me Memphis Tennessee Help m…
Misirlou Desert shadows creep across purple sands. Natives kneel in p…
Moon Child …
Needles And Pins I saw her today, I saw her face, it was…
Never On Sunday Oh, you can kiss me on a Monday A Monday, a…
Night Drive DiFranco Ani Not So Soft The Whole Night we can touch touch …
One I will never turn my back on you If I wanted…
One Fine Day Baby's good to me, you know, She's happy as can be,…
Over The Rainbow Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high There's a land that…
Perfidia [Instrumental]…
Rebel Rouser Wasp The Headless Children Rebel In The F.d.g. (Blackie Lawl…
Riders in the Sky An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy…
Runaway I've seen the world, been to many places Made lots of…
San Antonio Rose Deep within my heart lies a melody A song of old…
Santa Claus is Comin I just came back from a lovely trip along the…
Secret Agent Man There's a man who leads a life of danger To everyone…
Slaughter On Tenth Avenue アー今年も夏が来た 来たね来たよ来たぜ来たわ来たの アー今年も夏が来た 来たね来たよ来たぜ来た さあ!来ました おっきい…
Sleigh Ride Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing, ring-ting tingle-in…
Spanish Eyes Blue Spanish eyes Teardrops are falling from your Spanish ey…
Spinning Wheel What goes up must come down Spinning Wheel got to go…
St. Elmo's Fire Growin' up you don't see the writing on the wall. Passin'…
Stop Action Batang Hari Batanghari aeknyo lah tenang Biakpun tenang der…
Stranger In Midosuji Strangers in the night, Exchanging glances Wandering the ni…
Sukiyaki Let's look up as we walk, so that the tears…
Superstar Very superstitious, writing on the wall Very superstitious,…
Sweet And Lovely Sweet and lovely sweeter than the roses in May Sweet and…
Sweet Caroline Where it began, I can't begin to knowin' But then I…
Tequila I was at the bar with my drinkin team It was…
Téquila I was at the bar with my drinkin' team It was…
The Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at you…
The Green Hornet the Green Hornet!…
The Green Leaves Of Summer A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'. The…
The Man With The Golden Gun He has a powerful weapon He charges a million a shot An…
The Sound of Silence Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you…
The Stranger Strangers in the night, Exchanging glances Wandering the ni…
The Twist Come on let's twist again Like you did last summer…
Theme Batman, Batman, Batman Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman Batm…
Thunderball He always runs while others walk He acts while other men…
To Sir Those school girl days of telling tales and biting nails…
Tossin and Turnin Baby, baby, can't you see what you're doing to me? I…
Twilight Zone …
Twisted I’ve been up for days Trynna figure out where I went…
Up Up And Away Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon? Would you…
Ups & Downs Make believe Is everything I ever see Wild dreams An eternit…
Uptight Baby, everything is all right, uptight, out of sight Baby, …
Venus Hey, Venus, oh, Venus Venus, if you will Please send a littl…
Walk Right In I can feel a new expression on my face I can…
Walkin Ain't no guy in town Who would ever try to put…
Walkin' With Pluto Ain't no guy in town Who would ever try to put…
Wheels What goes up must come down Spinning Wheel got to go…
When You Walk In The Room I can feel a new expression on my face I can…
Wild Thing Wild thing, you make my heart sing You make everything groo…
Wipe Out Feel I′m goin' back to Massachusetts Something is telling me…
Wipe Out (Live) Feel I'm goin' back to Massachusetts Something is telling me…
Ya Ya Wobble There's a summer place Where it may rain or storm Yet I'm…
You Are My Sunshine You are the sunshine of my life That's why I'll always…
You Are the Sunshine of My Life You are the sunshine of my life That's why I'll always…
you you you I know that I’m not perfect I know that I’m far…
Yours No one can take yo place No one can take yo…
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