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.
you you you
The Ventures Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that I’m far from it
I know I got bad habits
I know that makes you nervous
No I don’t do that on purpose
Fighting all of my urges
Bringing my emotions to the surface
That’s when I feel the most dangerous
All my secrets I take to the grave
I can have anyone else
But it’s you i crave
I just want the real you
Tell me can you stay true
No matter what we go through
Who knew
That I would be so into you
I just want the real you
Tell me can you stay true
No matter what we go through
Who knew
That I would be so into you
I know you hate it when I switch sides
I know u hate it when
I can’t make up my mind
But you always seem let it slide
That’s why im so lucky that your mine
If you ever want to run away
Just know I’m only a call away
And I'll never be far away
Far away from you
Never been the one to play it safe
All my secrets I take to the grave
I can have anyone else
But it’s you i crave
Never been the one to play it safe
All my secrets I take to the grave
I can have anyone else
But it’s you i crave
I just want the real you
Tell me can you stay true
No matter what we go through
Who knew
That I would be so into you
I just want the real you
Tell me can you stay true
No matter what we go through
Who knew
That I would be so into you
The song "You You You" by The Ventures is a romantic ballad that presents the idea of emotional vulnerability in a relationship. The song is about the singer's feelings for someone they love deeply, even though they know they're not perfect and have bad habits that make their partner nervous. The singer admits to fighting their urges and trying to keep their emotions in check, but they ultimately feel most dangerous when they let their guard down and show their true feelings.
The lyrics suggest that the singer has a history of taking risks and not playing it safe, but their love for this person is different. They are willing to take a chance on them, even though they could have anyone else. They want the "real" version of their partner, flaws and all, and they want to know if they can stay true no matter what they go through together. The song ends with the singer expressing surprise at being so deeply into this person.
Overall, "You You You" celebrates the idea of taking a risk on love, even if it means being vulnerable and exposing one's flaws. It's a beautiful tribute to the ups and downs of relationships and the importance of authenticity and trust.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that I’m not perfect
Acknowledging one's imperfection
I know that I’m far from it
Realizing that one needs to improve
I know I got bad habits
Admitting to one's bad habits and mistakes
I know that makes you nervous
Understanding the impact of one's actions on others
No I don’t do that on purpose
Clarifying that one's bad habits are unintentional
Fighting all of my urges
Struggling to resist one's temptations
Bringing my emotions to the surface
Opening up about one's feelings
That’s when I feel the most dangerous
Becoming vulnerable can be risky
Never been the one to play it safe
Not being risk averse
All my secrets I take to the grave
Keeping one's secrets undisclosed
I can have anyone else
Having other choices and options
But it’s you i crave
Preferring a specific person over others
I just want the real you
Desiring authenticity in a relationship
Tell me can you stay true
Asking for reassurance and commitment
No matter what we go through
Stressing the importance of being loyal and supportive
Who knew
Expressing surprise at the depth of one's feelings
That I would be so into you
Realizing the intensity of one's love and attraction
I know you hate it when I switch sides
Acknowledging the impact of one's indecisiveness on a relationship
I know u hate it when
Understanding one's partner's dislikes and frustrations
I can’t make up my mind
Struggling with decision making
But you always seem let it slide
Noticing one's partner's patience and understanding
That’s why im so lucky that your mine
Appreciating one's partner's love and commitment
If you ever want to run away
Giving reassurance and support to one's partner
Just know I’m only a call away
Offering support and availability
And I'll never be far away
Promising to be close and present
Far away from you
Expressing the desire to be close and connected
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Miranda Cabral
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tnator3542
The Ventures are the Kings of Guitar Slicks and Links. And Josie Cotton is Supercool and Superhot! What a package of a Lady. 😍❤🎵🎶🎙🌷
@stratoleft
The Ventures: we are famously known for being a totally instrumental guitar band without vocals on our albums. But when we do get singers in the band, we get the best lookin' around of anybody. Count on it ;- ) What a babe. Josie's vocals and performance is absolutely made to order for this song.
@chuckinla
The skin tight black leather outfit is KILLIN!!! Love this look! It's got a little Elizabeth Taylor and Samantha's twin sister on Bewitched!! lol ' s
@Bubb1964
RIGHT ON! You read my mind on all counts!
@toddotterson7568
She sounds kinda like Cindy Lauper singing this song.
@johnnyaydin4421
instablaster.
@10995
personally i think at some point the Ventures should have toured like this, with a bunch of guest vocalists. Big time guest vocalists.
@tinytanks
josie cotton's vocal style was so unique and powerful, and so unconventional that it was totally punk rock
@helenarowe
Secret Agent Man was written by P.F. Sloan. The song was originally written for a British TV show called "Danger Man".
@machtschnell7452
What a gem I never knew existed! I want the whole concert if there was one.