Ventures Guitarist and Co-Founder Bob Bogle Dies at 75
- Posted on Jun 16th 2009 11:15AM by Dan Reilly
- Comments (75)
Bob Bogle, the lead guitarist and co-founder of instrumental rock band the Ventures, died Sunday at age 75. Bogle suffered from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma but survived long enough to see the group get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.The Tacoma-based band started in the late '50s when Bogle met Don Wilson and the two became co-workers in the construction business. After realizing they both dabbled in guitar, the pair decided to form a group in their spare time in 1958. Two years later, the band recorded an upbeat version of 'Walk Don't Run' -- based on Chet Atkins' 1957 take on the Johnny Smith jazz instrumental from two years earlier -- which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart only months later.
The band's distinctive style, particularly Bogle's guitar leads, is credited as the inspiration for the unique "surf rock" sound. Speaking of 'Walk Don't Run' at last year's Rock Hall induction ceremony, Creedence Clearwater Revival's John Fogerty said, "That song started a whole new movement in rock 'n' roll. The sound of it became 'surf music' and the audacity of it empowered guitarists everywhere." The group later went on to have hits with 'Perfidia' and 'Hawaii Five-O.' Due to his failing health, Bogle stopped performing with the group in recent years and was unable to attend the Rock Hall induction ceremony in March 2008.
"Boy, I tell you, he's the brother I never had," Wilson told the Seattle Times. "And he is much more than any brother could be. He and I were partners for, like, 52 years. And to tell you the honest truth, we had never, ever had an argument in all that time -- never." Bogle is survived by his wife, Yumi, and funeral arrangements are still pending, though Wilson believes they will happen Thursday or Friday.
Dearly Departed Musicians
Bob Bogle, June 2009: The lead guitarist and co-founder of instrumental rock band the Ventures, died at age 75 in June 2009. Bogle suffered from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma but survived long enough to see the group get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.
Ebet Roberts, Getty Images
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Reader Comments(1 of 4)
wrhsmnnetat 6-16-2009
I grew up on the Ventures music and one of my favs is "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue"---God bless you Bob,your music will live forever.
mbluetyphoonat 6-16-2009
How sad. I grew up listening to the Ventures music. My father was a big fan. He collected all of their albums, and would play them loud! I, too, am a big fan of "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue", and "Telstar". God Bless you, Bob. Thank you for your music.
Patriceat 6-16-2009
Very sad. My father died from the same cancer. Non Hodgkin Lymphoma spreads rather quickly. RIP Bob...
Rock On.........
rodtheinjectorat 6-16-2009
God bless you Bob,, Loved your music
krelorjacat 6-16-2009
I also grew up with the Ventures as my dad was a huge fan. My dad got rid of all his old records years ago and I was able to replace one with a CD. He was so delighted!
Thanks for the music.
Lori K
raypor668at 6-16-2009
Guitar cookout freakout on lookout mountain
APat 6-16-2009
The Righteous Brothers were right...rock & roll heaven's got a helluva band. Thanks for all the years of great music Bob, you will be missed.
pacific707at 6-16-2009
An amazing band - one of the best, ever!! They had a big influence on me when I was growing up. Even today, I still get the goosebumps when I listen to "Ventures in Space," or "Telstar" (which features a very young Leon Russell on the Hammond). This is a very big bummer.....
RIP, Bob. Your music lives on....
paulaat 6-16-2009
did'nt they do perfidia also?
beaujest77at 6-16-2009
yes, that is mentioned right in the article, paragraph three.
walkingman717at 6-16-2009
Great band, big influence on bands and guitarists learning to play in the 60s, UNLIKE many inducted in the Rock Hall of Fame - the Ventures deserve it. Hey Bob, Walk Don't Run.
jbuck52460at 6-16-2009
I don't mean to be picky here, but he was actually the Bass Player. Nokie Edwards played lead and Don Wilson played rhythm with Mel Taylor on Drums although the line up changed over the years. I saw them at the Palomino once and it was an awesome show.
will11344at 6-21-2009
Bob Bogle did play lead guitar on Walk Don't Run. Eventually Bob switched to bass guitar and Nokie Edwards did play lead.
dalemedlockat 6-21-2009
yes you are so right look at the picture its a bass with 4 string Aol thinks they know everything the ventures were before the time of whoever wrote this article they dont know lead from a bass
jbuck52460at 6-22-2009
I stand corrected
Tinsleyat 6-16-2009
The Ventures changed my life the first time I heard them. Met 'em once in the early '80's. Bob had Tone to die for and I'm glad his passing was noted here online.
Cranking up my reverb today in his honor. He will be missed.
wspaperboyat 6-16-2009
Heaven's "Hell of a Band" just got another member. Thanks for the tunes, Bob!
God Bless You
John Tusseyat 6-16-2009
To the friends and family of Bob Bogle I am sorry to hear of your loss. I grew up on that surf sound and the Ventures were always great to hear. Heck, I just listened to their greatest hits last weekend. Songs of the Ventures, BeachBoys, Dick Dale, Sandals, Safaris were always so up and moving. To me they epitomize summer and as I am one in search of that endless summer this music lives on. Thanks Bob for all those great sounds.....and as to getting into hear remember to 'walk, don't run!' May he rest in peace!
Sandran712at 6-16-2009
I have the Ventures music.I grew up on listening to "Telstar" when I was 8 years old.I have their CD and listen to it from time to time.If these older type bands from 50-60's feel depreseed that their careeer is washed up and over.Just remember alot of us baby boomers are always listening to their music and always will.
Oscarat 6-16-2009
The Ventures had a unique refreshing style all to their own. I grew up listening to many party garage bands playing some of their tunes. Rest in peace Bob, and thank you for all the wonderful memories I have growing up listening to your timeless music.