The Ventures

The Ventures are a hugely successful instrumental rock combo that formed in 1958 in Tacoma, WA. The original line-up was Don Wilson (rhythm guitar), Nokie Edwards (bass), Bob Bogle (lead guitar) and Skip Moore on drums (he was later replaced by Howie Johnson, who in turn was replaced by Mel Taylor. Taylor played drums for the group right up until his death from cancer in 1996 and was replaced by his son, Leon). The Ventures scored their first big hit with "Walk Don't Run", which peaked at #2 on the Billboard pop charts in September 1960. The follow-up singles "Perfidia" and "Ram-Bunk-Shush!" likewise did well. The band's stirring rendition of the theme for the TV series Hawaii Five-O (1968) went all the way to #4 on the Billboard pop charts and "Walk Don't Run '64" charted at #8 in 1964. In addition, the group has released more than 150 albums altogether (85 in the US alone) that have sold over 100 million copies worldwide (they are especially popular in Japan). The group appears in the rock concert documentary Beloved Invaders: The Ventures (1965). Such artists as George Harrison, Stephen Stills, Gene Simmons, Elton John, Keith Moon, Alan White, Joe Perry and Roger Glover have cited the band as a major influence on rock music. Their songs have been featured on the soundtracks to several movies, including Madagascar (2005), Kangaroo Jack (2003), Zoolander (2001), American Pie (1999), The Van (1996), Dutch (1991) and Crocodile Dundee II (1988). The band continues to play and tour all over the world. The Ventures celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2008 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10, 2008.