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 Ventureshit 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
Released an acclaimed set of instructional records with the
Play Guitar with The Ventures series
Cited affectionately as "the group that launched a
thousand bands"
Credited with popularizing rock and roll and the electric
guitar in Japan
1971 - First non-Japanese artists elected to the Japanese
Conservatory of Music
Jan 1987, Guitar Player magazine 20 Anniversary Issue cited
Walk Don't Run as one of "20 Essential Rock Albums"
1990 - Inducted into the Washington State Music Hall of Fame
Feb 1996, Guitar magazine identified “Walk Don't Run” as one
of ten 1960's albums included in “The Fifty Greatest Rock Guitar Records"
(albums)
Inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk
Invited to participate in the Smithsonian Institution's
celebration of the development of the electric guitar
Honored by Fender Guitars with a limited-edition line of
Ventures Model Jazzmaster, Telecaster and Jazz Bass signature guitars
2001 - Honored by Aria Guitars with limited-edition Ventures
Model guitars
2004 - Award by Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for
contributing to friendly relations between Japan and US. No other artists in
modern music share this honor
2005 – Washington State Senate Resolution 8645 to honor The
Ventures, to "recognize the contributions of those who have had a
significant impact over the evolution, development and perpetuation of rock and
roll"
2006 – “Walk, Don't Run” is inducted into The Grammy Hall of
Fame
Numerous contributions to movie and commercial soundtracks,
including ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Madagascar’
The Ventures have reached over 100- Million in record sales,
14-songs that hit the singles chart, and 37 albums that charted.
The band continues to record and tour with their current
lineup of …Don Wilson (rhythm guitar- co-founder 1958), Nokie Edwards (lead
guitar -joined 1960), Gerry McGee (lead guitar –joined 1968), Bob Spalding
(lead and bass guitar –joined 1981), Leon Taylor (drums – joined 1996 after the
passing of his father Mel Taylor).
Co-founder, lead and bass guitarist Bob Bogle passed away in
2009.
Drummer Mel Taylor passed away in 1996.
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.
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK REVIEW
-By Literary Titan (5) STARS
The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.
The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.
Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.
The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music. The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.
Two of
the coolest and most innovative women of rock on the planet performed together
on the same stage Wednesday evening in Tampa, Florida at the MidFlorida Credit
Union Amphitheatre to a packed house.
It was my
first time covering a show at the venue and I was blown away by the courteous
staff, abundance of food and drink, and most of all by their incredible sound
system. I’ve covered shows all over Tampa Bay and Orlando, I would say this
venue had the best. Parking and ease of getting in and out of the venue is a
bit tricky, but we avoided all that by using a pricey valet service. It was well
worth it!
INGRID ANDRESS
The
opening act was four-time grammy nominated American Country Music
singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress. Born in Southfield, Michigan and grew up in
Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She currently resides in Nashville. Andress has
toured the world on her own headlining sets alongside artists like Keith Urban,
Dan + Shay, Tim McGraw and the legendary Stevie Nicks. Andress performed an
impressive set with many songs destined to become commercial hits.
Her most
recent release is called ‘Good Person,’ a duet with Sam Hunt, was released as
the album's lead-off single in December 2021. The album debuted at number 18 on
the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Andress was a crowd pleaser through and
through and we hope she performs in Tampa again very soon.
JOAN JETT
and THE BLACKHEARTS
What else
can I say about Joan Jett that I haven’t already said in my past reviews of her
concerts here in Tampa Bay. Simply put, she’s amazing! This time I got to watch
her perform on the very stage she performed on, courtesy of Blackheart Records.
I guess you normally call where I was standing the wings, stage left. Let me
tell you it was awesome! You experience the same perspective of looking at the
audience as the artist does. The audience was massive, a capacity of 20,000
people. Joan opened with “Victim of Circumstance” from the 1981 ‘I Love Rock
‘n’ Roll’ album followed by The Runaways 1976 classic “Cherry Bomb.” Joan
energetically performed Gary Glitter’s “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yea)” with
the huge Tampa crowd responding back with shouts of ‘Oh Yea!’ and then segued
into Runaways Cover “You Drive Me Wild.”
Joan Jet
is a huge favorite in Tampa, as she performed one of her newest singles
released in 2023 “If You're Blue” from the EP ‘Mindsets’, “Fake Friends” from
1983 ‘Album’, the Lou Reed cover “I'm So Free,” and Replacements cover “Androgynous”.
I’m a big
fan of Sly and the Family Stone so I was naturally excited when Joan and the
Blackhearts performed “Everyday People” followed by “Love is Pain” from the
album ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.’
And then
the biggies …
Over
twenty thousand on their feet… hands in the air… and singing every lyric …
I saw him
dancin' there by the record machine
“I knew
he must a been about seventeen
The beat
was goin' strong
Playin'
my favorite song
And I
could tell it wouldn't be long
'Til he
was with me, yeah, me
And I
could tell it wouldn't be long
'Til he
was with me, yeah, me, singin'
I love
rock n' roll
So put
another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love
rock n' roll
So come
and take your time and dance with me
Ow”
Everyone
inside the amphitheatre and outside on the grass went wild! Every time we hear
“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” it always sounds like we’re hearing it for the very
first time.
Joan and
the Blackhearts concluded their set with Tommy James & the Shondells cover
“Crimson & Clover”, “I Hate Myself for Loving You”, and her signature “Bad
Reputation”.
Another
brilliant show by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Joan Jett and The Blackhearts.
ALANIS MORISSETTE
The Headliner
When 'Jagged Little Pill’ was released in 1995, I ran over to my neighbor’s home
across the street and told him you’ve got to hear this new album. It was
blizzard-like conditions in Maryland, but I dragged him out of his house anyway.
We sat in my Dodge Stealth and listened to Alanis Morissette for the first time
on my disc player. I knew she would be huge in the music industry. She had her
own sound and style. You just couldn’t compare Alanis with any other singer and
her lyrics were plentiful, poetic, and powerful.
Her
performance Wednesday night in Tampa was remarkable!
Her set
began with a huge rising moon in the background and harmonica playing, dark
stage, then Alanis begins slowly singing “Hand in My Pocket” then she appears
with lights on and jovially sings the rest of the song. Alanis is always filled
with amazing energy as she constantly walks and runs back and forth across the
stage.
She
Continued with “Right Through You,” from ‘Jagged Little Pill’, “Reasons I Drink”,
from ‘Such Pretty Forks In The Road’ released in 2020, “A Man” from ‘Under Rug
Swept’ 2002 release, and “Hands Clean” also from ‘Under Rug Swept’. She dazzled
the huge Tampa crowd with prolific tracks “Can't Not”, a song that should have
been a huge radio hit “Lens” and “Sorry to Myself” A song reflecting self-forgiveness
and self-awareness from ‘Feast on Scraps’ released in 2003. Then three crowd
favorites from ‘Jagged Little Pill’ “Head Over Feet”, “Forgiven” and “You
Learn”. She sings “Would Not Come" from
1998’s ‘Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie’ and Alanis shines on “Smiling”
which spotlights her beautiful voice and amazing vocal range. She also did an
incredible spinning dance to the song that completely blew everyone’s mind.
She
reenacted the spin again during “Uninvited”. Alanis Morissette is an eclectic
performer who incorporates many genres into her music. She mixes elements of middle eastern, Indian, and psychedelia into many of her songs.
Some music aficionados may even say she has crossed into the world of
Progressive Rock, and I’m sure she’s captivated by World Music. Next, the
heartfelt “Rest” which was released in support of Mental Health Action Day and
debuted in 2017. She mentioned in an interview “I’m sharing a song entitled
‘Rest’ written specifically about those of us who struggle with depression and
anxiety, isolation, suicidal ideation and the profound despair that mental
illness can plunge us into.”
The
audience was a bit baffled when she gathered her musicians together and ran off
the stage into the crowd, and then were overjoyed when the band positioned
themselves in the center of the audience by the sound board engineer and
performed several songs. When you watched the TV screens Alanis sang with the
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino all lit up in the background.
After the band returned to the stage… she began winding down her set with one of my favorites “Ironic” from 'Jagged
Little Pill.’ Alanis switched the lyrics to "meeting his beautiful husband” instead of "meeting his beautiful wife".
Continuing her set with ...“Not the Doctor”,
“Are You Still Mad”, from ‘’Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie’, “All I Really
Want” from Jagged Little Pill”, “Sympathetic Character”, from ‘Supposed Former
Infatuation Junkie’.
The anticipated final song before the encore, and the one that lifted her into fame “You
Oughta Know.”Alanis and the band returned after the huge encore and performed “Uninvited” from the 1998
Soundtrack album ‘City of Angels’, and “Thank U” from ‘Supposed Former
Infatuation Junkie’.
Alanis Morissette is a true International Superstar. She’s
accomplished and prolific in every way possible. Thank you, MidFlorida Credit
Union Amphitheatre, for hosting the best concert of the year!
Very
Special Thanks to Julie Rader of Blackheart Records
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUN 23,
2024
bridgestone
arena
nashville,
tn
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUN 26,
2024
pnc music
pavilion
charlotte,
nc
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUN 27,
2024
coastal
credit union music park at walnut creek
raleigh,
nc
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUN 29,
2024
merriweather
post pavilion
columbia,
md
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
SOLD OUT
JUN 30,
2024
merriweather
post pavilion
columbia,
md
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 2,
2024
freedom
mortgage pavilion
camden,
nj
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 3,
2024
pnc bank
arts center
holmdel,
nj
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 5,
2024
bethel
woods center for the arts
bethel,
ny
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 6,
2024
xfinity
theatre
hartford,
ct
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 9,
2024
xfinity
center
mansfield,
ma
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 10,
2024
northwell
health at jones beach theater
wantagh,
ny
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 13,
2024
budweiser
stage
toronto,
on
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 14,
2024
budweiser
stage
toronto,
on
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 16,
2024
pine knob
music theatre
clarkston,
mi
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 17,
2024
blossom
music center
cuyahoga
falls, oh
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 19,
2024
minnesota
yacht club festival
st. paul,
mn
JUL 21,
2024
pitchfork
music festival
chicago,
il
JUL 23,
2024
hollywood
casino amphitheatre
maryland
heights, mo
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 24,
2024
riverbend
music center
cincinnati,
oh
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 27,
2024
ruoff
music center
noblesville,
in
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 28,
2024
american
family insurance amphitheater
milwaukee,
wi
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
JUL 31,
2024
ball
arena
denver,
co
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
AUG 1,
2024
utah
first credit union amphitheatre
salt lake
city, ut
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
AUG 3,
2024
white
river amphitheater
auburn,
wa
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
AUG 4,
2024
moda
center
portland,
or
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
AUG 7,
2024
shoreline
amphitheatre
mountain
view, ca
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
AUG 8,
2024
acrisure
arena
palm
springs, ca
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
AUG 10,
2024
kia forum
inglewood,
ca
the
triple moon tour w/ joan jett and the blackhearts & morgan wade
SEP 21,
2024
daily's
place
jacksonville,
fl
SEP 29,
2024
ohana
festival
dana
point, ca
A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE MUSIC FANS
THAT POSTED THESE WONDERFUL VIDEOS
FROM THE CONCERT!
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK REVIEW
-By Literary Titan (5) STARS
The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.
The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.
Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.
The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music. The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.