Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Ventures’ Bob Bogle Passes Away

written by Robert Benson


The Ventures' lead guitarist, the innovative and influential Bob Bogle, passed away on June 14, 2009 in Vancouver, Washington at the age of 75. He had suffered from non-Hodgkin lymphoma for a number of years which made him too ill to perform with the band, but he fought off the illness long enough to see the band be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

A statement on the group’s website read:

“It is with profound sadness and grief that we must inform Ventures' fans all over the world that Bob Bogle passed away on Sunday, June 14. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob's family at this terrible time, especially his beloved wife, Yumi, who has been the light of his life for so many years. The Ventures' members are completely devastated, and share the pain of this loss with all our friends and fans. As more information becomes available, it will be posted here, and we hope to set up a section on this site for messages from those who wish to post them.”

“The music world has lost a true original and an innovator - may all our wonderful memories console us.”

The Ventures were formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle and their instrumental guitar work has had a profound effect on the development of rock and roll music. Their unique and distinctive sound helped popularize instrumental rock on Top-40 radio in the early sixties and were often referred to as “the band that launched a thousand bands.”

Over thirty major artists have identified The Ventures as an influence, including George Harrison who stated in a Guitar Player interview that The Beatles preferred the American guitar sound of The Ventures to British contemporaries. When asked to name the most influential rock guitar solos, Joe Walsh (James Gang and the Eagles) stated that he would have to include the entire song "Walk Don't Run" because it changed so many guitar players' lives. Stephen Stills once told Ventures guitarist Don Wilson that he learned to play guitar by listening to Ventures’ records. Eddie Van Halen told Rolling Stone that the Ventures’ “Pipeline” was among the first songs he learned how to play on the guitar. Jeff Baxter (Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers) and Gene Simmons (Kiss) were early members of the Ventures Fan Club. Others identifying the Ventures as an influence include Terry Kath (Chicago), Carl Wilson (The Beach Boys), Jeff Cook (Alabama), Ricky Wilson (The B-52's), Roger Fisher (Heart), Keith Moon (The Who), Alan White (Yes), and Roger Glover of Deep Purple fame.

The Ventures secured their first hit record in 1962 with a remake of a song written by Chet Atkins, a powerful instrumental cut called “Walk, Don’t Run,” which peaked at #2 in the US. This song had become one of the most influential songs in rock and roll history.

"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," said Creedence Clearwater Revival's John Fogerty, as he inducted the Ventures into the rock hall of fame last year. "Every guitar player on this planet knows what I'm talking about. It's enough to say, the Ventures are the most popular instrumental band of all time."

The Ventures released a number of instructional LPs called "Play Guitar with The Ventures" and "Play Electric Bass with The Ventures." A total of four albums were released in this series, the first of which reached the Billboard Top 100 Album Chart—an achievement previously unheard of for an instructional album. The Ventures were also the first act to place two different versions of the same song in the Top 10, those being "Walk Don't Run" (#2) and "Walk Don't Run '64" (#8).

The band pioneered the use of special effects on such songs as "2000 Pound Bee,” which was recorded in late 1962. Lead guitarist Nokie Edwards employed a fuzz distortion pedal and this unique effect predated the 1963 hit "Zipadee-Do-Dah" by Bob B. Soxx, which featured a 'fuzz' guitar instrumental break. Edwards was also among the first to use the twelve string guitar in rock. The Ventures’ ”In Space” album (1964) was a primer in the use of special guitar effects and made pioneering use of 'reverse-tracking,’ a technique that was utilized by The Beatles in the later 1960s. The Ventures were among the first rock acts able to sell albums based on a specific style and sound without the need of any hit singles from their albums. They are also credited by The All Music Guide To Rock with the early formulation of the concept album. Additionally, the Encyclopedia Britannica states that The Ventures "served as a prototype for guitar-based rock groups.” The group charted 38 albums between 1960 and 1972 en route to more than 110 million records sold worldwide.

“Boy, I tell you, he’s the brother I never had,” said Don Wilson. “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.”

Even though Bogle eventually moved to the bass for the Ventures, it was his classic work as the band’s lead guitarist for which he is most remembered.

“If you listen to “Walk, Don’t Run” and “Perfidia,” the lead guitar is just totally unique,” Wilson said. “He used that vibrato bar — they call it a whammy bar — and he used it like nobody else. I can't think of a better contribution for instrumental music on his style than “Walk, Don't Run.” A lot of good would-be guitar players and garage bands would go out and buy guitars just to learn that song."

"He had a special sound that nobody could ever re-create. He was totally unique as a guitar player," Wilson told CNN Radio.

To really appreciate what Bob Bogle did for music history, all one has to do is listen to his innovative instrumental guitar mastery, his music were his words. It is truly a sad day in rock history and Bogle will be missed by millions.


Major hits by the Ventures:

•Walk Don't Run (1960/#2 Pop/#13 R&B)
•Perfidia (1960/#15 Pop)
•Walk Don't Run '64 (1964/#8 Pop)
•Hawaii Five-O (1969/#4 Pop)
•Superstar Revue (1975/#3 Disco/#12 Club Play)
•Temptation, Temptation/Sunrise Serenade (1976/#9 Club Play)
Major Albums by the Ventures (all chart positions are on the Pop chart):

•Walk Don't Run (1961/#11)
•Twist With the Ventures (1962/#24)
•The Ventures Play Telstar, The Lonely Bull (1963/#8)
•Walk Don't Run Volume 2 (1964/#17)
•The Ventures a Go-Go (1965/#16)
•The Ventures Christmas Album (1965/#9)
•Hawaii Five-O (1969/#11)

Classic Rock Videos

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Music News & Notes

King & Vaughan

The 1983 album Session by Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan is scheduled to be reissued by Stax on June 30. Added to the remastered set are liner notes by Bill Belmont, Lee Hildebrand and Dan Forte.

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Swift Dominates Awards

It turned out to be Taylor Swift's night at the CMT awards honoring the best country music videos, and rightly so. The only veteran artist to take a prize was legend George Strait who won CMT Performance of the Year for Country Boy with Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley from the Giants: Alan Jackson special.

Veterans did participate, though, in the night's performances. One of the surprises was the B-52's coming out to join Sugarland on Love Shack. The show also closed with Taylor Swift and Def Leppard (who went 0-for-3 on awards) doing Pour Some Sugar on Me.

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Cat Forgives

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) has finally forgiven Coldplay over the alleged plagiarizing of part of his Foreigner Suite for the song Viva La Vida. He explained to the Daily Express:

"I stand by what I said. They did copy my song but I don't think they did it on purpose. I have even copied myself without even knowing I have done it. I'll write down what I think is a good melody and realise it's the same as something I have already done.

"I don't want them to think I am angry with them. I'd love to sit down and have a cup of tea with them and let them know it's okay."

Ohmmmmm.

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Jimmy, the Edge & Jack White Jam

An exciting documentary has sufaced on YouTube - Here is the trailer for "It Might Get Loud" which is schedule for release by Sony Pictures Classics on August 14. I hope this isn't the finished project....



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Vinyl Collective Restocks

ANDREW DOST “Colombus” LP purple vinyl
ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD /APOCALYPSE MEOW “Pug Life” 7″ black vinyl
AUSTIN LUCAS “Common Cold” CD
FOUNDATION “Chimborazo” LP black vinyl
FOUNDATION “Chimborazo” LP blue w/ grey & olive splatter
GATORFACE “Sick And Stupid” 10″ purple vinyl
THE SAINTE CATHERINES/ US AGAINST THE WORLD split 7″
YESTERDAY’S RING ”Back from El Rancho” LP

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Bob Mould Announces October Tour

Bob Mould has announced his October plans but if you blink, you might just miss his shows.

The tour is comprised of ten (count em') dates in cool U.S. cities like New York, Chicago, Seattle, and Minneapolis. He'll be touring in support of his latest release Life and Times, out now on Anti- Records.

The album is a nod to his landmark album Workbook, a definitive release, and Life and Times marks the 20th anniversary of its release.

"I remember the DC show in May 1989 promoting Workbook. Twenty years later it will be great fun to return to the DC area with those songs in hand and a new interpretation in mind. Many of the songs on Life And Times are a nod to that era," said Mould when speaking about the new album.

Bob Mould Tour Dates

10/5 Toronto, ONT @ Mod Club
10/7 Boston, MA @ Paradise
10/8 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
10/10 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
10/12 Chicago, IL @ Metro
10/13 Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave.
10/15 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
10/16 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
10/19 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
10/20 San Diego, CA @ Belly Up

Mr. Music- with Jerry Osborne

I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.


FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 8, 2009


DEAR JERRY: A friend, also a Classic Rock music fan, recently told me the Beatles toured the U.S. three times in the '60s, but never performed in Canada.

Why? Perhaps some problem with their visas?

Exactly how many nations did the Beatles tour?

Also, in which states did they perform?
—George Palmer,


DEAR GEORGE: As you'll see from the list below, your pal is mistaken about the Beatles not appearing in Canada.

With valid visas no doubt, they visited Canada four times, playing to sell-out crowds once in Vancouver, once in Montreal, and three times in Toronto.

In just under four years, fans in 16 nations witnessed Beatlemania first hand: Australia; Canada; Denmark; England; France; Germany; Hong Kong; Italy; Japan; Netherlands; New Zealand; Philippines; Scotland; Spain; Sweden; and the United States.

Their U.S. tours took them to: California; Colorado; District of Columbia; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Nevada; New Jersey; New York; Ohio; Oregon: Pennsylvania; Tennessee; Texas; Washington; and Wisconsin.

Our concert location review begins in November 1962, the first tour with John, Paul, George and Ringo (who replaced Pete Best in August). Not listed are their many shows in England. Likewise with appearances on radio, TV and elsewhere which simply do not qualify. The order is chronological by year then month:

1962:
November: Germany (Hamburg)
December: Germany (Hamburg)

1963:
January: Scotland (Elgin; Ross and Cromarty; Bridge of Allan; Aberdeen)
October: Scotland (Glasgow; Kirkcaldy; Dundee); Sweden (Karlstad; Stockholm; Goteborg; Boras; Eskilstuna)

1964:
January: France (Versailles; Paris)
February: USA (Washington; New York; Miami)
June: Denmark (Copenhagen); Netherlands (Blokker); Hong Kong; Australia (Adelaide; Melbourne; Sydney; Brisbane); New Zealand (Wellington; Auckland; Dunedin; Christchurch)
July: Sweden (Stockholm)
August: USA (San Francisco; Las Vegas; Seattle; Los Angeles; Denver; Cincinnati; New York; Atlantic City)
August: Canada (Vancouver)
September: USA: (Philadelphia; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Chicago; Detroit; Jacksonville; Boston; Baltimore; Pittsburgh; Cleveland; New Orleans; Kansas City, Mo.; Dallas; New York)
September: Canada (Toronto; Montreal)

1965:
June: France (Paris; Lyon; Nice)
June: Italy (Milan; Genoa; Rome)
July: Spain (Madrid; Barcelona)
August: USA (New York; Atlanta; Houston; Chicago; Minneapolis; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; Los Angeles; San Francisco)
August: Canada (Toronto)

1966:
June: Germany (Munich; Essen; Hamburg)
June: Japan (Tokyo)
July: Japan (Tokyo)
July: Philippines (Manila)
August: Canada (Toronto)
August: USA (Chicago; Detroit; Cleveland; Washington DC; Philadelphia; Boston; Memphis; Cincinnati; St. Louis; New York; Seattle; Los Angeles; San Francisco)

IZ ZAT SO? In August 1960, the Beatles performed outside the UK for the first time, in Hamburg, Germany.

They only worked there a couple of months, but returned in the spring of 1961 for a longer and more fortuitous stay.

Besides their own gig, the boys occasionally backed local favorite Tony Sheridan during his show at another club. Tony grew quite fond of the Beatles and asked them to back him on a May 1961 recording session, one arranged in May by Bert Kaempfert at the Polydor studio.

Of course they agreed and the event marked the first professional recording session ever for the Beatles.

Three years later, during 1964 Beatlemania, three Tony Sheridan-Beatles tracks from Hamburg became hit singles in the U.S.: “My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)”; “Why”; and “Ain't She Sweet.”

The German release (July 1961) of “My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean),” backed with “The Saints,” thus became the first appearance on record of the Beatles — John, Paul, George, and Pete Best on drums. Both sides are credited to Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers.

Despite the similarity between the Beat Brothers and the Beatles, Kaempfert and Polydor intended to credit Sheridan's band as the Beat Brothers no matter who he chose, and whether real brothers or not. That it ended up being the Beatles is pure happenstance. Note, however, the artist billing in what is their first mention in any U.S. publication:

“A new rock 'n roll team, Tony Sheridan and The Beatles, make their debut on the Polydor label with “My Bonnie." Sheridan was discovered by Polydor producer Bert Kaempfert while playing night spots in Hamburg's famous Reeperbahn” (Cash Box International News, January 13, 1962).

Reeperbahn, a street in Hamburg's St. Pauli district, is known for its wild night life and easily available prostitutes.

About his Reeperbahn days, John Lennon once said “I was born in Liverpool but I grew up in Hamburg.”

In April 1962, “My Bonnie”/“The Saints” came out in the U.S. (Decca 31382) with what is an unusual notation for that time: “Recorded in Europe by Deutsche Grammophon/Polydor.”

Two years later, references such as “Recorded in England,” etc., appeared frequently on U.S. recordings.

Even though the singer is Tony Sheridan, Beatles collectors usually pay in the $10,000 range for a copy of the U.S. Decca single — about three times as much as for the Polydor original.

Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission


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This Date In Music History-June 17

Birthdays:

Barry Manilow - (born Barry Alan Pincus in 1946) Has scored over 25 US Top 40 singles selling over 75 million records worldwide.

Chris Spedding - session guitarist (1944) Worked with Donovan, David Essex, Lulu, Dusty Springfield, Jack Bruce, Eno (Among others)

Kevin Thornton - Color Me Bad (1969)

Norman Kuhlke - The Swinging Blue Jeans (1942)

Greg Rolie - Santana (1947)

Paul Young - Mike and the Mechanics (1947)

Michael Monroe - Hanoi Rocks (1962)

Jello Biafra - Dead Kennedys (1958)

Philip Chevron – Pogues (1957)

Dickie Doo - Dickie Doo and The Don'ts (1939)


They Are Missed:

Kate Smith, whose voice graced the epic song "God Bless America," died in 1986 at age 79.

Bassist and Soul Asylum founding member Karl Mueller died from throat cancer complications in 2005.

Country legend Red Foley (June 17, 1910 – September 19, 1968)


History:

In 1980, Led Zeppelin launched a short three-week European tour that turned out to be their last.

Russian electronics genius Leon Theremin developed the first synthesizer in 1920.

In 1955, after a month of booking gigs in larger venues in Dallas and Houston, Colonel Tom Parker arranged a meeting with Elvis Presley's manager, Bob Neal, resulting in an agreement that saw the Colonel handle Presley's gigs and career strategy from now on.

Working at Abbey Road studios in London in 1965, the Beatles completed work on the new Paul McCartney song “Yesterday” with the overdubbing of an additional vocal track by McCartney and a string quartet. They also recorded “Act Naturally” for Ringo's vocal contribution on the “Help!” album and the song “Wait,” in four takes. “Wait” will not be included on “Help!” it was included on the following LP, “Rubber Soul.”

The Kinks and the Moody Blues made their US concert debuts at the Academy of Music in New York City in 1965.

The Hollies' "Carrie Ann" was released in 1967.

Steve Winwood released his first solo album, "Steve Winwood" in 1977.

The Elvis Presley/Ann-Margret film, "Viva Las Vegas" opened in 1964. I thought it was called "Viva Viagra," maybe I watch too much TV.

In 1972, the Rolling Stones album “Exile On Main Street” started a four-week run at the top of the US charts (also #1 in the UK).

Bruce Springsteen's “Born in the U.S.A.” was released in 1984. It became one of the biggest albums of the Eighties, remaining at #1 for seven weeks and selling more than 15 million copies. I t also launches seven Top Ten singles: "Dancing in the Dark" (#2), "Cover Me" (#7), "Born in the U.S.A." (#9), "I'm On Fire" (#6), "Glory Days" (#5), "I'm Goin' Down" (#9) and "My Hometown" (#6).

In 1978, Andy Gibb became the first solo artist in the history of the US charts to have his first three releases reach #1, when “Shadow Dancing” hit the top of the chart. Spending seven weeks at #1, it became the best selling single in the US in 1978.

Carole King went to #1 on the US album chart in 1971 with “Tapestry” for the first of 15 consecutive weeks. The album contained “It's Too Late,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” and “You've Got a Friend.”

Big Brother and the Holding Company performed a show-stopping set on the second day of the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967. Vocalist Janis Joplin became an overnight sensation.

In 1967, CBS Records released 5 Moby Grape singles concurrently. Although this concept worked for The Beatles, all it did this time was buy the group a lot of criticism and accusations of hype.

In 1973, Dolly Parton recorded hit “I Will Always Love You” in RCA's Studio "B" in Nashville. The song was written for her one-time partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner.