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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »

Permalink R.I.P. Don Wilson

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Sad news.. Don Wilson of The Ventures passed away of natural causes at age 88. That guy had one real good sense of rhythm guitar.
He's the last of the original members to pass on.
Thanks for the guitar lessons early on, Don, Bob, and Nokie.
Rest in peace, Don
J Mo'

Quite a life. RIP.

Link to obit in Rolling Stone (magazine) online
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/don-wilson-the-ventures-rhythm-guitarist-dead-obit-1289277/

Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com

Sad news, yes indeed. RIP Don. The Ventures' music and the excellent rhythm guitar lives on!

El Twitter
El Ray
El Ray on Bandcamp
El Twang on YouTube

Even a kid growing up in the midwest like me could appreciate the Ventures rockin' surf style music. I remember those times fondly. Who didn't 'sidewalk surf' on his skateboard with 'Walk Don't Run' playing in his head? Part of the sound track of my life!

I guess that it had to happen sooner or later, but it’s a sad day, nonetheless. The Ventures were a part of my youth and certainly a musical influence. The original members have all passed-on now, but their legacy remains.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

my Don Wilson story.....

5 years ago, almost to the day (facebook reminded me) I was in Anaheim at the NAMM show. Hanging out at Brian Nutter's booth in the basement, I look across the aisle, and there's the Wilson Bros booth, with Don Wilson himself standing there. I think to myself "I got to go shake his hand, and tell him how much I love The Ventures!" Right about the time I start to make my way, I see him start to eat a hard boiled egg, and man, he's REALLY enjoying that egg....and it's taking him forever to eat it, like a really long time. As I wait for Don to finish the worlds longest hard boiled egg eat, I decide that I can come back later when he not so occupied. Of course that didn't happen. Shut down by a hard boiled egg.

RIP Don Wilson, and the rest of The Ventures.

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

Last edited: Jan 23, 2022 10:56:23

Who doesn’t just put the whole egg in their mouth?
well maybe only I do.

88 is a good long run.
He had a great career.
R.I.P. Don

Jeff(bigtikidude)

RIP Don Wilson and thanks for all the music and inspiration.

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

He certainly had a great run, and left behind so much for us. Thank you Don!

Rev

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

Most of us have watched videos or listened to audio interviews with him describing how the Ventures came about. I think it's safe to say that ambition and a small dream led them to a fabulous career. Another American success story. Such a legacy. Smile

Here's John Fogerty paying tribute to Don & The Ventures from just a few days ago. There are comments from Don's daughter Staci too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3eLNdxHN4I

well, that was really cool - the audience didn't seem to care, but I still liked it.

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

I saw Don with The Ventures in 2006. Nokie and Bob Bogle were there too. They were very tight. My first son was just a few months old and it was his first concert. Hopefully that will mean something to him one day. Luckily it was outdoors. I have pictures of him on my chest in a Bjorn with my hands over his ears.

Makai

Godspeed Don.

What a role model you and the band were when things were young.

I worked with you and the original members twice.

It was a treat seeing you live being raised on your recordings.

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