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The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band, formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington. Renowned as one of the most influential, best-selling, and enduring bands of the instrumental rock genre, they are particularly famous for their clean guitar sound, innovative techniques, and defining the surf rock sound.Formed in 1958 by Don Wilson (rhythm guitar) and Bob Bogle (initially lead guitar, later bass). Nokie Edwards (lead guitar) and Mel Taylor (drums) became key members later. Achieved massive global success starting with their 1960 hit 'Walk Don't Run' and its 1964 re-recording 'Walk Don't Run '64'. Released over 250 albums, selling an estimated 100 million records worldwide. Pioneered guitar-driven instrumental rock and surf music, profoundly impacting generations of musicians. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. The band continues to perform with evolving lineups.

• The Ventures' original lineup was formed when Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, both construction workers, bonded over a shared interest in guitars and decided to start a band.
• Their breakthrough hit, 'Walk Don't Run', was a cover of a jazz guitar piece by Johnny Smith. The Ventures transformed it into a driving, twangy rock instrumental, creating the template for surf guitar.
• Nokie Edwards, who joined in 1960 initially as bassist before switching to lead guitar, became iconic for his melodic playing and use of the Mosrite guitar, heavily influencing the band's signature sound.
• The Ventures achieved phenomenal success in Japan, starting with a groundbreaking 1962 tour. Their 1965 concert at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo attracted over 56,000 fans, a record at the time, demonstrating Beatlemania-level popularity.
• They released a highly successful series of instructional LPs, 'Play Guitar with The Ventures' and 'Play Electric Bass with The Ventures', which taught countless aspiring musicians how to play popular rock songs.
• Their 1963 cover of 'Pipeline' (originally by The Chantays) became another signature hit and a surf rock standard, further cementing their association with the genre.
• Despite numerous lineup changes over more than six decades (including the deaths of founders Bob Bogle in 2009 and Don Wilson in 2022, as well as key members Nokie Edwards in 2018 and Mel Taylor in 1996), The Ventures as an entity never officially disbanded and continue to tour, primarily in Japan.
• The band holds the record for the most charted instrumental singles in the rock era (39) and is second only to The Beatles for the most charted albums (over 70) in Billboard history.