THE VENTURES

The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington. Founded by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, the group in its various incarnations has had an enduring impact on the development of music worldwide. With over 100 million records sold, the group is the best-selling instrumental band of all time. In 2008, the Ventures were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Their instrumental virtuosity, experimentation with guitar effects, and unique sound laid the groundwork for innumerable groups, earning them the moniker "The Band that Launched a Thousand Bands". While their popularity in the United States waned in the 1970s, the group remains revered in Japan, where they still tour regularly to this day.

The Ventures are the most successful instrumental combo in rock and roll history. They also rank among its most prolific bands, too. They’re best remembered for a pair of Sixties smashes, “Walk – Don’t Run” and “Hawaii Five-O.” Yet their most impressive feat was charting 38 albums from 1960 to 1972. The Ventures’ “big guitar sound” made them instrumental institution in the Sixties, and they’ve remained an in-demand working unit down the decades.Guitar Player magazine called them “the quintessential guitar combo of the pre-Beatles era, [who] influenced not only styles, but also a generation’s choice of instruments.” More information about THE VENTURES

Here are two outstanding performance of the group according to my opinion:

WALK DON'T RUN WITH GENERAL GEORGE BABBITT 1998

The Ventures with The United States Air force Band and George Babbitt - Very first drummer with Walk Don't Run after 38 years reunion. Formation in 1959; Don .26, Bob.25, Nokie.24,  George 17. You know why? George was under age for nightclub performance...

WALK DON'T RUN 50 YEARS LATER (2009)

TEQUILA

THE VENTURES 45TH ANNIVERSARY - LIVE.