Don Wilson 'Ventures' Guitar Legend 'The Lost Interviews'

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.
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.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CZcams CHANNEL INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS: ROCK STARS & CELEBS FOR THE VERY LATEST MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS DIRECTLY FROM THE SOURCE!
ITS REAL NEWS!