Comments on: Surf's Up

Surf's Up

CheeseDigestsAll — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:50:04 -0800

R.I.P. Bob Bogle.

Bogle, the lead guitarist for The Ventures (previously) died yesterday after a 12-year battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, though he lived to see the band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March of last year. The Ventures surf-guitar sound influenced a wide variety of musicians, from Peter Frampton to Marc Knopfler. Bogle co-founded the group with Don Wilson in 1958, and they made their big splash covering the Chet Atkins tune Walk Don't Run in 1960. While they faded from the American seen in the early 70's, there were occasional revivals of interest, as when the movie Pulp Fiction featured the classic surf sound, and the band remained intensely popular in Japan, outselling The Beatles 2:1. The musical style they pioneered lives on in modern bands like The Aqua Velvets, and in new and unusual combinations, such as the klezmer sound of Meshugga Beach Party, or the Russian-influenced Igor & the Red Elvises.

By: Item

Item — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:56:09 -0800

The Ventures surf-guitar sound influenced a wide variety of musicians, from Peter Frampton to Marc Knopfler ...to me. Rest in reverb drenched peace.

By: mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey

mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:15:08 -0800

♪

By: threetoed

threetoed — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:29:27 -0800

. I'm playing this E chord right near the bridge of a Stratocaster with big, thick strings through an amp with the reverb cranked way the fuck up for you, Bob.

By: Herodios

Herodios — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:47:06 -0800

Not to diminish his achievements, but Bob Bogle and original bassist Nokie Edwards permanently switched instruments in 1962. That's a long time ago. I believe that Walk Don't Run is the only notable recording by the Ventures on which Bogle played lead. Not that he was a slouch on bass. Check out his 16th-note runs on Wipe-Out, live in Japan. Also, although Bogle and Wilson were inspired by Chet Atkins' recording of Walk, Don't Run, it too was a cover. Here is Johnny Smith's 1955 original. Besides Walk Don't Run, you might also recognize The Ventures' original recording of the Hawaii Five-0 theme (1969), augmented by organ and a then-obligatory horn section. The Ventures Christmas Album (1965) contains some amusing musical mashups, notably the lead-off track, Sleigh Ride/Walk Don't Run. Everyone should take a second (or first) listen at the links in Flapjax's "previously" post, linked in the FPP above. The Ventures are an incalculably influential part of your pop culture heritage. And finally. . . .

By: tellurian

tellurian — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:22:32 -0800

Ventures punk in the early 80s.

By: Solon and Thanks

Solon and Thanks — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:41:27 -0800

By: lekvar

lekvar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:06:22 -0800

Man, I was just jamming on some surf & spy tunes. I didn't know it would become an elegy. .

By: gomichild

gomichild — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:25:31 -0800

Oh the Ventures are awesome. .

By: doctor_negative

doctor_negative — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:23:06 -0800

By: Smart Dalek

Smart Dalek — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:31:03 -0800

♪

By: LittleMissItneg

LittleMissItneg — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:07:55 -0800

May he rest in peace.

By: ignignokt

ignignokt — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:19:47 -0800

. The Ventures are the only band that my dad and I both like.

By: mephron

mephron — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:05:13 -0800

ignignokt: oddly, I was thinking the exact same thing. We disagree intensely on music - except for the Ventures and a general appreciation for "Margaritaville". .

By: chambers

chambers — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:14:48 -0800

. As an aside, don't forget Sammy Davis Jr. did a swinging version of the Hawaii Five-O theme.

By: JBennett

JBennett — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:23:22 -0800

The Ventures are the best. Long live the Ventures. Even though Bob stepped aside for Nokie (which must be a rare move in rock and roll history) and moved on to bass, Bob really defined their sound and Nokie took off running with it. I wonder how they arranged their songs. Especially their classic covers like Walk Don't Run and Slaughter on Tenth Ave. Holy moley. That Slaughter arrangement! I'll give my fender reverb tank a kick for you. .

By: LeLiLo

LeLiLo — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:12:16 -0800

♪ indeed. Sooner or later, we all get 'wiped out,' but Bob caught a nice wave — 50+ years on stage, playing great music, is a good ride.