Hey Bob,

this is probably widely known, but I don't know. Did the Ventures actually prefer playing Mosrite over Fender instruments, or did they do so because of endorsements?

Thanks for everything!

PhantomOperators wrote:

Hi Bob,

First of all, I'd like to say if it wasn't for the Ventures, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today. That being said, on Tuesday, March 10th "V2 Tuesday", the Phantom Operators will be donating 100 percent of their bandcamp sales to the V2 indiegogo campaign. It may not be much, but it's the least we can do! Thanks again.

Phantom Operators, we love you guys...that is the most creative way to support us. We appreciate it and will hope to play on the same bill at some point. Thanks again, we'll look forward to March 10th...

Bob Spalding
V2

bigtikidude wrote:

Hello Bob,

I know that you started playing with the Ventures a few years back after Bob Boggle passed. But I'm admittedly Not well versed in the Ventures whole history. Can you please go into a little more detail about your
Career with them, studio and live?
Thanks

Hi Bigtikidude, BTW great name. Of course I started listening to The Ventures in 1960 like a lot of other fans and friends. I was fortunate to see them perform live in Japan in 1962, their first trip and the only trip where it was just Don Wilson and Bob Bogle performing as a duo. They were great and influenced me to become a guitar player. Later, after returning to the states, I was playing in a band that was signed to Liberty Records, "Sweet Pain", where I met the guys and struck up a friendship with Mel. Mel asked me to play on his solo albums and I did a tour of Japan in 1973 with Mel and the Dynamics. Later I became involved again when Nokie became ill on the road and went out to finish the tour. After that I became part of the Ventures' Family and continued to record, arrange, produce, and play live when necessary. With the activity with the group someone in the UK dubbed me as "5th Venture". So I've been working with the group for over 30 years now. Of course I became much more involved when Bob Bogle decided to retire from touring altogether and I replace him for the Japan tour.
More info on my background can be found on the Ventures web site, www.theventures.com and the V2 web site, www.V2Instrumental.com.
I hope that provides some additional on me....
Bob Spalding
The Ventures
V2

Surf_Skater wrote:

Bob, Thank you so much for answering our questions. Who were the artists that inspired you to play?

Hi Surf Skater, I started listening to rock n' roll around 1957-58 and really becoming aware of it in terms of the "Guitar Sounds". At the time I didn't know but I was being influenced by many of the great sidemen of rock n' roll. My first recollection is of Elvis's "A Fool Such as I", I thought that was the greatest guitar part ever (at that time). Later I found out that this was actually Hank Garland doing those solos. As I became more interested with Elvis I became aware of the great guitar work of Scotty Moore. I believe early on these were the two players that really influenced me and I'm sure millions of others. However it was also around that time when I heard a very unusual record by Link Wray and the Wraymen called "Rawhide", I thought that was it for me. It had all the excitement and accessibility of a young man wanting to play the guitar. Of course that was 1959 and a year later myself and a million others were swept up in the phenomena of The Ventures. Consequently I followed Link, Hank, Scotty, and Bob Bogle, Don Wilson, and Nokie during the early 60's. I would say they influenced me greatly in my early years. Later I have another set of influences as I became a professional musician, but that's another story…

Pappa_Surf wrote:

Hi Bob, you may recall I interviewed you and Don when you were in Winnipeg (interview available in the Downloads section). By the way you are overdue for a return!

A few questions come to mind:
- With you and Leon working on V2, what is the impact on the Ventures?
- How much will Japan figure into your tour dates?

Finally, not a question but a thanks for being so gracious in your interview and best wishes for success of your new project.

Rich

Hi Rich, of course I remember it was in the lobby of the hotel we always stayed at in Winnipeg. However don't remember if it was cold or cold…probably just cold Regarding V2 and The Ventures, one of the reasons Leon and I proceeded with the launch of V2 is that The Ventures had retired from touring in the US around 2012 and none of they "Venture" guys wanted to go out in US or Canada. So Leon and I started V2 as we've said to continue, preserve, and advance the "Art of the Rock Instrumental". We're lucky to have two additional players that were raised in the instrumental genre Luke Griffin and Ian Spalding and bring a contemporary character to the music.
Leon and I will continue to work with The Ventures as long as they want us to. Summers have long been reserved for the annual tour of Japan and we don't see that changing with Don' retirement.
Rich I hope to see you again in Winnipeg as V2 begins to move into the US/Canada touring…all the best,

Bob Spalding
V2
The Ventures

Brian wrote:

Hi Bob,

When and where did you first join up with The Ventures, and what did you learn from playing, recording, and touring with them?

Thanks!

Hi Brian, first let me says that there is additional biographical information on the V2 web site, www.V2Instrumental.com and The Ventures web site, www.theventures.com. However here it is in a thumbnail, I first met Nokie in 1968 playing in a club outside of Tacoma. A great guy and phenomenal guitar player, he had just left The Ventures at that point and was raising and racing horses at the time. Later as I became involved with another group in Southern California, "Sweet Pain", we were signed to Liberty Records and I was fortunate to meet Mel, Bob, and Don. I ended up doing sessions with Mel where I met Gerry McGee and Johnny Durrill. I was a part of Mel Taylor and The Dynamics during 1973 which included a tour of Japan. The Ventures and I keep in touch a in a few years they called me to replace Nokie who had taken ill on an east coast tour. I did and became part of the "Ventures" family after that…I've been fortunate to have recorded several albums with The Ventures, done many tours, and honored to help induct them into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
Thanks for your question and check out more info on the web sites…

Bob Spalding

Last edited: Feb 27, 2015 13:42:27

Noel wrote:

Bob, would you please tell us how your song, Chicchi Star, came about? I for one would love to hear V2 play it. Thank you!

Hi Noel, I had met and heard the very talented "Chicchi" in Japan. Our representative in Japan for Aria guitars was Mr. Bob Itoh and I suggested to him to help Chicchi I could write a song for her. That's pretty much how it came about, I submitted the song to Bob Itoh who got to Chicchi and I believe she and the Nagoya Ventures recorded it. Very please with their version…

all the best,

Bob Spalding

Clarry wrote:

Hello Sir,

Your new compositions for the album; are they tunes that have been hanging around in your (and the band's) head for a while, or a conscious "let's sit down and start this song from year zero"?

Hi Clarry, actually a little bit of both. Of course I've written a lot of songs and Ian has also, so we kinda' of lead the way for new originals. Ian brings more contemporary ideas and I try to balance out with the traditional. However we're always creating and developing songs and sounds that move the music forward…without losing the character of the "Rock Instrumental"…

all the best,

Bob Spalding

Badger wrote:

Tagged. Wow, just drinkin' it in & grateful for the music. Thanks for engaging with SG101!

Thanks Badger, I pleased your enjoying the recollections of one of the guys…all the best,

Bob Spalding
The Ventures
V2

StevieMartini wrote:

Marvelous stories Bob. Wow what a great career! Thanks and I'll be at the book signing when you put yours out.

Thanks Stevie, will let you know when the book is finished…

Bob Spalding
The Ventures
V2