The Ventures April 26, 2007

The Ventures are an instrumental rock band formed by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, two Seattle masonry workers. They have contributed, as well, to the surf music genre, though they are not, as popularly believed, a strict surf band.

Over thirty major artists have identified The Ventures as an influence. George Harrison stated, in a Guitar Player interview, that the Beatles preferred the American guitar sound of The Ventures over British contemporaries.

Joe Walsh (James Gang and the Eagles), when asked to name the most influential rock guitar solos, said he'd have to include the entire song "Walk Don't Run" because it changed so many guitar players' lives. Stephen Stills told Ventures guitarist Don Wilson that he learned to play on Ventures records.

Jeff Baxter (Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers) and Gene Simmons (Kiss) were early members of the Ventures Fan Club. More recently, Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), and Elton John (via liner notes on his Starbucks Elton John's Christmas Party album) joined the array.

More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ventures

The Ventures have released hundreds of albums, beginning with "Walk Don't Run".
Discography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ventures_discography

Official Website: http://www.theventures.com/