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Their instrumentals bypassed any language barrier, and before long, the group had established a popularity in Japan that rivaled the Beatles. By the time the huge corporate-sponsored era of festivals became fashionable the band was playing in front of crowds in the tens of thousandsor even hundreds of thousands. Since that time the Ventures have maintained an active presence on the nostalgia circuit and continue to be a major draw in Japan, where their album sales have topped the forty-million mark. Howie Johnson, a 1973 graduate, has been named the Tribune-Star's Best Remembered Male Athlete in Marshall (Ill.) High School history. This was a completely new approach to learning guitar and bass. Dec 14, 2022. But neither of us owned a guitar.. [29], The Encyclopdia Britannica states that the Ventures "served as a prototype for guitar-based rock groups. Often identified as a surf group they predated surf music and lasted well beyond it. 2/Beach Party). I actually was going to mention that. The rhythm guitarist's family tells PEOPLE he died peacefully of natural causes Saturday morning . Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories and includes a local jazz events calendar. [21][24], Don Wilson continued to record with the band, but retired from touring at the end of 2015. Ian Spalding Bass (joined in 2016), -Dennis R. White. When we went to register the name, we found out that it was already taken. He ended up quitting in order to spend more time with his family and occasionally played locally throughout the rest of his life. In 1964 the group proved that lightning can strike twice, when they made the top ten with a new version of "Walk Don't Run" that incorporated various influences from popular surf music of the time. [20], The combination of Edwards on lead guitar, Taylor on drums, Bogle on bass and Wilson on rhythm guitar remained unchanged until Edwards left the band in 1968, to be replaced by Gerry McGee (born Gerald James McGee in Eunice, Louisiana; November 17, 1937 October 12, 2019),[21] son of the famous Cajun fiddle player Dennis McGee. Stephen Stills told Ventures guitarist Don Wilson that he learned to play on Ventures records. John Fogerty is their presenter. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Ventures toured and recorded extensively. Reset your passwordClick the eye to show your password. Johnson played on the first four LPs and recorded on about half of the tracks on the fifth LP (Twist with the Ventures/Dance!) Japanese rock music has evolved a lot in the last 25 years or so too, and is a lot more exciting than it used to be, diluting the music consuming rock fans. Do you have an idea for a post or additional information regarding an existing post? By the time they returned in 1964, this time as a full band, their music became immensely popular in Japan, and were greeted by thousands of fans at the airport. April 1960: After their self-released single Walk Dont Run enjoys regional sales and airplay, the Ventures are signed to Seattle-based Dolton Records. The single was a flop, but it wasnt long before Josie booked more time at Custom Recordersand Walk-Dont Run was recorded. "image": "", [1] While their popularity in the United States waned in the 1970s, the group remains especially revered in Japan, where they toured regularly. Bob Spalding Lead & Rhythm Guitar (joined in 1981) Patrick Mahomes, #15 of the Kansas City . Their recording of "Walk, Don't Run" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its lasting impact,[12] Howie Roseman and co. appear set to try, however. The Ventures have a cult following here in America and a particularly large following in Japan, where they are considered "rock gods.". More and more live dates in the US and in Europe were being bookedat first in smaller clubs, but they were finding the venues were getting bigger. Resides in Bridgeport, CT. Related To Lililiawes Johnson, Cynthia Johnson, Shanice Johnson, Robert Johnson, Donnell Johnson. Wilson played rhythm guitar, Bogle lead. Here is Howard G. Johnson's obituary. On a side note, Mels younger brother, Larry,became the bassist for Canned Heat and before that had been a session bass player for Jerry Lee Lewis and The Monkees among others. Yes, most of their shows in North America are at key venues. In 2009 Bob Bogle told The Seattle Times: And then we found out that we each knew a few chords on the guitar, you know, and we had a lot of free time on our hands. Warner Music Group. The Wilson Brothers guitar, in particular, is closely modeled physically on the original Mosrite design. Eagles safety C.J. Feel free to contribute! Even poor promotion would not detract from their strong fan base. However, please do not post Ventures lyrics unless you have received permission from the copyright owner. Sign Up. After Mel Taylor moved on from the Ventures in 1973, Joe Barile became their drummer until Taylor came back in 1979. NPR remembers his life and legacy. While their popularity in the United States waned in the 1970s, the group remains especially revered in Japan, where they toured regularly. TACOMA, Wash. Don Wilson, co-founder and rhythm guitarist of the instrumental guitar band The Ventures, has died. Were not just surf. I do. my children grew up with is and was best of friends. Updated Feb 23, 2007. this can result in this site earning a commission. January 16, 1934: Bob Bogle, guitarist and bass player for the Ventures, is born in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Jeff Baxter[35][36] and Gene Simmons were early members of the Ventures Fan Club. 1968: Guitarist Nokie Edwards takes a four-year hiatus from the Ventures, during which he is replaced by Gerry (a.k.a. Bob Bogle retired from touring in December 2004 and was replaced by Bob Spalding. What my non-scientific research determined, was that in the 1990's, the average cosmopolitan 40-year-old had. March 16, 2018. Eager to record, the Versatones formed their own label called Blue Horizon with the help of Don Wilson's mother, who became the group's manager. [1] While their popularity in the United States waned in the 1970s, the group remains especially revered in Japan, where they toured regularly. Both are as individual and inspiring as The Ventures forward-looking interpretation. By Richard Sandomir. Shoot us a message. Hitchcock, H. Wiley, and Stanley Sadie, editors, The New Grove Dictionary of American Music, Volume 4, Macmillan, 1986, p. 456. Taylor and Durrill later left the group, and drummer Jo Barile came on board. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. The learning process came to be known as guitar phonics. What key venues" are these rock gods playing in North America? Howie Johnson left the band in 1962 he was replaced by Mel Taylor who had been a house drummer at the well-known Los Angeles club The Palamino. or. Contact Our Windsor Family Law Lawyers For questions that only a family law lawyer can answer, contact Howie Johnson Barristers & Solicitors at 519.973.1500 or contact us online. After sending demos of the song to various record labels without success, Wilson's mother decided to release it on their Blue Horizon label. 416 posts. Sometime in 1960 Wilson and Bogle saw Edwards playing in a Tacoma club (possibly Steves Gay 90s where Owenss band had a residency). [10][1], The Ventures have had an enduring impact on the development of music worldwide. "name" : "Howie Johnson", Don was the salesman. The band adopted these guitars (which included a bass model) and first used them on The Ventures in Space (1963), one of their most influential albums because of the unique, otherworldly guitar sounds it contained. Drummer Howie Johnstone has playe. Instrument: Bass Mon-Sat: 10-9 and about half of their sixth LP (Twist With The Ventures Vol. Taylor had already made his mark as a drummer for Herb Alpert and as a member of Bobby (Boris) Picketts band who had recorded the seasonally perennial hit The Monster Mash. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. Howie Johnson was a American drummer. This cemented the classic Ventures lineup of Don Wilson, Bob Bogle, Nokie Edwards and Mel Taylor. During the ceremony Japan Consul General Kiyokazu Ota said, The Ventures unique teke-teke sound grabbed the heart of many Japanese young men and women. [23], Gerry McGee died on October 12, 2019, after having a heart attack and collapsing onstage four days earlier in Japan. One oft-quoted statistic is that the Ventures outsold the Beatles 2-to-1 in Japan. The Profile is produced by ProCopy http://www.procopy.com.au and features Western Australian musicians and industry people. Before the Mosrite period all three guitarists had played production models of the Jazzmaster, the Stratocaster and a Precision Bass. [2] They produced dozens of albums exclusively for the Japanese and European markets, and have regularly toured Japan from the 1960s through to the present. [15] Edwards came back in 1973 and remained with them until 1984, although he has toured and gigged with them dozens of times in the subsequent years. The band was among the first to employ and popularize fuzz and flanging guitar effects, concept albums, and twelve-string guitars in rock music. They also recorded and released about 50 albums specifically for the Japanese market, while continuing to tour Japan on a regular basis. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. [15] Soon, the group was in a recording studio playing the new song, with Bogle on lead, Wilson on rhythm, Edwards on bass, and Skip Moore on drums. And what of the young George T. Babbit Jr., who, at 16, was too young to play with The Ventures? Current guitarist Gerry McGee is the closest to being an original member, he joined the group during the "Hawaii Five-O" period in the late 60s, which was about 10 years after they initially formed. Heartbroken to hear the news of tWitch's passing. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. CAA Chad Kudelka Contact. ", The Ventures pioneered the use of special effects on such songs as "The 2000 Pound Bee", recorded in late 1962, in which lead guitarist Nokie Edwards employed a fuzz pedal. While they predated the advent of the terms surf guitar and surf rock, and they do not consider themselves a surf rock group, they were a major building block of surf music, if not the first to play the style. Their collection of seasonal music, The Ventures Christmas Album (1965), charted annually for four years. You will find two different versions of The Ventures' "Last Night" on their "Telstar/Lonely Bull" album (Dolton, from 1963) and they re-recorded the song, which was featured on their "Rock & Roll Forever" album (United Artists, from 1973). The Ventures startling, horn-filled arrangement of the Hawaii Five-O theme returned them to the Top Five in 1969. If you would like to share Ventures lyrics with other users of this site, please see the bottom of this page on how to submit Ventures lyrics. No matter the source, it would become one of The Ventures signature sounds. Gerry McGee died on October 12, 2019; he was 81. Todays lineup comprises Don Wilson, Bob Spalding (who first appeared live with the group in 1981), Gerry McGee, and Leon Taylor (who replaced his late father Mel in 1996). Listen to and Watch the Ventures on YouTube. He now lives in Sammamish WA. The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar across the world during the 1960s. See Photos. August 11, 1996: Mel Taylor, the Ventures drummer, dies of cardiac arrest while hospitalized for cancer. The Ventures drums (19601962) Born Seattle, Washington 1934 died 1988. Dance music also proved a gold mine for the Ventures, and they had big sellers with their Twist with the Ventures and other albums designed for dancing. In 2016 Bobs son, Ian Spalding became The Ventures bass guitarist. In 1962, the Ventures revealed their willingness to embrace new elements in their music with their release of "2000 Pound Bee," which featured the first-time recording of fuzz-guitar in a song. [22], Nokie Edwards died on March 12, 2018, due to complications after hip surgery. Called "one of the first, best, more lasting and influential of instrumental guitar-based rock combos" by The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, the Ventures had remarkable staying power since the burst on to the rock scene with their hit single "Walk Don't Run" in 1960. Two Car Garage is a 50 year Celebration of two bands: Don Wilson and the Ventures and The Fabulous Wailers. Its key members were Bob Bogle (guitar, bass; born January 16, 1934, died June 14, 2009), Nokie Edwards (guitar, bass; born May 9, 1935, died March 12, 2018), Gerry McGee (guitar; born November 17, 1937), Mel Taylor (drums; born September 24, 1933, died August 11, 1996), and Don Wilson (guitar; born February 10, 1933), Embracing the surf music style also played by contemporaries such as The Beach Boys and The Surfaris, the group charted a full thirty-eight albums from 1960 to 1972. affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, and February 1963: The Ventures Play Telstar, The Lonely Bull and Others hits #8. Affiliate programs and The Ventures recorded their own version and continue occasionally to perform the song. [18][19] The Ventures were responsible for a period in Japanese music known as the eleki boom, where thousands of Japanese purchased electric guitars and many guitar-based bands started up. It also didnt hurt that theyd get a shortlisten to it once a week on television. In the early 1960s "golden age of hi-fi", with the novelty of stereo still in its experimental stages, the Ventures found their characteristic style of recording each instrument in either the extreme left or right channel, with little (if any) cross-over, enhancing the stereo effect to its fullest limits. [4][5][6][7] He is regarded by the Guitar World as a "Must See Act" and "The Wizard" for his mastery of stringed instruments. Soon Edwards had bought his ownMosrite and within a year The Ventures had an endorsement and co-distribution dealthat madeMosrite acommon name among guitarists. The Ventures nucleus came together in 1958, when Don Wilson and Bob Bogle met on a car lot in Tacoma, Washington. [15] The band continued to remain a constant presence in the American music landscape during this time: between 1962 and 1967, they released 22 albums, and all but one reached the top 100 of the Billboard album charts (13 of which reached the top 40). June 14, 2009: Lead guitarist Bob Bogle dies age 75 of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The car lot was owned by Wilsons father. During her life she became a savvy business person, a respected producer and one of the first to kick down the doors of the music industry to women. During this time, the Ventures' popularity overseas began to increase significantly. Follow. Howie Johnson was born on January 31, 1968. Clarke, Donald, editor, The Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Viking, 1989, p. 200. The Ventures had passed that mark by 22 more years. eval(decodeURIComponent('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%5c%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%4d%69%63%75%73%20%20%26%6c%74%3b%6d%69%63%75%73%35%32%40%67%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%26%67%74%3b%5c%22%3e%4d%69%63%75%73%20%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). He was 82. Amazon Music Stream millions of songs: Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers: Amazon Drive Cloud storage from Amazon: 6pm . http://jivetimerecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/01-06-Walk-Don-t-Run.mp3, EVERYTHINGS GONE GREEN
Part II: The Green Pajamas, EVERYTHINGS GONE GREEN
PART I: Tom Dyer & Green Monkey Records. Below is a biography of Justin Johnson. September 24, 1933: Mel Taylor, drummer for the Ventures, is born in Brooklyn, New York. Obviously carrying mortar and bricks was more lucrative than hawking used cars for small commissions. Although it was their last major hit, the group continued to chart albums through 1972s Joy/The Ventures Play the Classics. [2] Their 1965 single "Diamond Head" reached only #70 in the United States but was a major hit overseas, reaching #1 in the Japanese and Hong Kong markets, and becoming the first million-selling single in Japan. March 1964: The Ventures in Space, a pioneering album in terms of exploring guitar sounds, peaks at #27. Between 1997 to 2000 he served asCommander of the Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC). After about a yearNokieleft Bucks band behind to join Wilson and BogleThis move hadunknowingly helpedspawn two superstar bands. jivetimecrew@gmail.com. They had their most successful LP release in 1963 with The Ventures Play Telstar, and The Lonely Bull, an album that achieved gold-record status and topped out at number eight on the charts. I had the pleasure of getting to know him recently and he always welcomed the boys and me with open arms when we saw him on Ellen. [1], Don Wilson and Bob Bogle first met in 1958, when Bogle was looking to buy a car from a used car dealership in Seattle owned by Wilson's father. Edwards left the band in 1968 to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Jerry McGee, who had played with the Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley, the Monkees, and Kris Kristofferson. Being ignored by the Hall of Fame so longhad been a bitter pill for Don Wilson, but when asked Why so long? Wilson simply said All we did was quietly sell millions of records. In 2010 The members of The Ventures were also awarded The Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan. Privacy Policy | We do not sell or share your personal information | 2023 All About Jazz & Jazz Near You . Collections; . 13k Followers, 1,146 Following, 416 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Payton Howie (@paytonhowiemusic) paytonhowiemusic. HOWIE JOHNSON OBITUARY. A new version, titled Walk Dont Run 64", also made the top ten when it was released.. Mel Taylor September 24, 1933 - August 11, 1996. Nicole Scherzinger. Although their profile had been rising during the 80s The Ventures were once again on top. This is probablycloser to truth than hyperbole. 1962: Howie Johnson, original drummer with the Ventures, leaves after a neck injury makes touring too difficult. Find articles, news, musician pages, and more! By GENE STOUT, P-I POP MUSIC CRITIC. When Dolton Records re-located their main offices to Los Angeles in 1963it wasto thedetriment of Northwest artists, but an incredibly valuable move for The Ventures. Owens soonswitched fiddlerDon Rich to guitar in his newly formed band, The Buckaroos, while Nokie helped fill out The Ventures a band that would later be dubbed as The Band That Launched A Thousand Bands, The Ventures.. See All Soon after his departure from thebandhe went to college and joined the ROTC. After hearing the song "Walk Don't Run" on a Chet Atkins's album, the group began performing the song and it became a favorite with audiences. Sun Sign: Cancer. Do they still use Mosrites? Between 1960 and the mid 1970s, thirty- seven of the group's more than fifty albums placed on the U.S. pop charts. The group survived through the decades by continually updating their sound to match the musical style of the era, copying many other bands and experimenting with everything from disco and reggae to psychedelic rock. He died of natural causes on January 22, 2022, at the age of 88.[25]. Box 6429, Albany, NY 12206-0429. Current members. The Rock Hall Library and Archive, 2008); Nokie Edwards US Fan Club (www.nokieedwards.c(om/biography/page_biography.htm); Gene Stout Josie Wilson, 1915-2007: Pioneer produced Ventures first hits (The Seattle Times, February 23, 2007); Erik Lacitis The Ventures finally arrive at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (The Seattle Times March 10, 2008. Howie Johnson, 57. Among their achievements in America, in 1963 the Ventures had five LPs in the Billboard Top 100 of the albums chart at the same time. Taylor died on August 11, 1996 at the age of 62, and his son Leon Taylor signed on as their . Their second release was a re-working for a 1940 Xavier Cugat hit called Perfidia. Hawaiian born singer, dancer and television personality, Nicole Scherzinger grabbed attention with TV show . By the time Bob Bogle and Don Wilson lured him into with them he was certainly taking a big financial hit. They also licensed their recordingto labels all around the world. From 1963 through 1968, a statement on their album covers announced that the Ventures used Mosrite guitars "exclusively" (the Ventures and designer Semie Moseley were partners in the distribution of these instruments). He then enlisted in the US Air Force and rose to the commission of 4-Star General. He agreed to be paid $25 for his work on the recording instead of a royalty sharing deala mistake that would deprive him of royalties even after a lawsuit a few years later. [13] Initially calling themselves the Versatones, the duo played small clubs, beer bars, and private parties throughout the Pacific Northwest. For questions that only a family law lawyer can answer, contact Howie Johnson Barristers & Solicitors at 519.973.1500 or contact us online. Find your friends on Facebook. The sound of it became 'surf music' and the audacity of it empowered guitarists everywhere." Get all the lyrics to songs by Howie Johnson and join the Genius community of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics. I figure Don was getting worked up seeing his wife made up that. The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band formed in Tacoma, Washington, in 1958, by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle.The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar across the world during the 1960s. Larkin, Colin, editor, The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Volume 5, Guinness Publishing, 1995, pp. At this point, the band focused on albums, releasing their first in a long string of LPS in 1961. Wilson's mother suggested the name "The Ventures", upon which they eventually agreed in 1959. Booking. The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar across the world during the 1960s. His son, Leon, replaces him in the group. An entire genre of surf punk musicarose with bands like Agent Orange, The Forgotten Rebels, and of course The Surf Punks at the forefront. He later sued to collect royalties but failed because of his prior opt-out. Tie-ins to current pop culture were common for the group, as shown by their covers of theme songs for television shows such as Batman, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Secret Agent Man, and Hawaii Five-O. Don Wilson is best known as a rhythm guitarist and founding member of The Ventures, the most successful instrumental rock group in the world. Wilson died Saturday in Tacoma of natural causes, surrounded by his . The 1964 The Ventures In Space album was a primer in the use of special guitar effects, and made pioneering use of 'reverse-tracking'. In the 1960s and early 1970s, 38 of the band's albums charted in the US, ranking them as the 6th best album chart performer during the 1960s,[8] and the band had 14 singles in the Billboard Hot 100. For the show's 17th season, Connor Johnson from Honolulu and Lily Meola from Maui showcased their musical talents in front of judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and Heidi Klum. They may be the worlds first band that relied on album sales rather than singles. All rights reserved. January 21, 2022 3 Mins Read. [31], The Ventures have had an influence on many musicians, both professional and amateur. Besidetouring he drummedon the first four Ventures albums andhalf of the tracks on the fifth LP. On March 10, 2008, the Ventures were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with John Fogerty as their presenter. Johnson managed to play drums while wearing a neck brace. Howie Johnson Barristers & Solicitors has been a fixture of the family law community of Windsor and Essex County for over 25 years, and so understandably, many prospective clients come to the firm through referrals . Sending all my love to his family RIP Twitch. eval(decodeURIComponent('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%5c%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%52%6f%6e%20%53%77%65%65%74%65%6e%20%26%6c%74%3b%72%6f%6e%73%77%65%65%74%65%6e%73%72%40%61%6f%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%26%67%74%3b%5c%22%3e%52%6f%6e%20%53%77%65%65%74%65%6e%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). Later film directorsused surf music in their film soundtracks. Howie Johnson. How can that 2000 pound Bee? Howie Johnson left the band in 1962 he was replaced by Mel Taylor who had been a house drummer at the well-known Los Angeles club The Palamino. Profile @HowieJohnson3rd. He was 88. Jimmy Johnson is an American football coaching legend who has a net worth of $45 million. Mel Taylor died on August 11, 1996, of cancer, at the age of 62. Just click on "Add a comment" below and paste the song name and the lyrics. The Eagles interviewed Iowa State OC Nate Scheelhaase as one of their candidates for the OC job before hiring Brian Johnson. The very fact that the band had never been dropped by a major label until late in their career allowed them to record and release the vast number of albums theyreknown for. "Don't change the image," Bennett supposedly told the group. The theme music of the television show Hawaii Five-O continues to be popular. Soon legendary Seattle label Dolton Records were beating a path to Josies door to pick up The Ventures contract. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Original drummer Howie Johnson broke his neck in a 1961 car accident and was unable to handle extensive touring. The deal lasted until 1968, and aside from the use of Mosrite guitars, there are some archival photos of the band using the Mosrite Award solid-state amps from the Ventures Mosrite Distributing Company. That same year the group released their last charting single, a cover of Percy Faith's "Theme for A Summer Place." February 10, 1933: Don Wilson, rhythm guitarist for the Ventures, is born in Tacoma, Washington. After fading from the popular scene in the 1970s, the Ventures enjoyed a resurgence in 1981 with their recording of "Surfin' and Spyin," a song written by the Go-Go's Charlotte Caffey. His Brushfire Records label and touring crew have been leaders in the greening of the music industry and his All At Once social action network connects fans with local non-profits at each tour stop. [27] The tune was composed by Morton Stevens, who also composed numerous episode scores. Please accept Echovita's sincere condolences. Guitar Player, in an article titled "20 Essential Rock Albums", cited elements of their 1960 Walk, Don't Run album which presaged the coming surf trend. Later members included Melvin Taylor, drums; and Jerry McGee, guitar; Johnny Durrill, keyboards; and Jo Barile, drums. Edwards re-upped with The Ventures for a short time in the late 80s but soon returned to Nashville and began a very successful career with producer and fellow musician Art Greenshaw. and, Ventures Stomp Mel Taylor left in 1972 (and was replaced by drummer Joe Barile)[15] to pursue a solo career when the Ventures became a nostalgia act. Feb 1, 2022. 2: The '60s, Perfidia / Ram-Bunk-Shush /No Trespassing / Detour, Walk - Don't Run--The Best Of The Ventures. Hed played professionally since he was 17 and managed to make a very good living with many gigs paying up the $350 a week. Throughout their career they have been a huge draw in Japan.