The Ventures

The Ventures are a rock instrumental band formed in 1958, by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, two Seattle masonry workers. Initially calling themselves "The Versatones", they played small clubs and beer bars in the Northwest. In 1959 th

The Ventures are a rock instrumental band formed in 1958, by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, two Seattle masonry workers. Initially calling themselves "The Versatones", they played small clubs and beer bars in the Northwest. In 1959 they recorded and released two vocal tunes, "The Real McCoy" and "Cookies and Coke", but neither record charted. They met and recruited Nokie Edwards as bass player, and recorded "Walk Don't Run" with Bogle on lead, Wilson on rhythm, Edwards on bass, and Skip Moore, on drums. They approached several record companies, none of whom showed any interest in signing them. With support from Don Wilson's mother, Josie, they started their own record company, "Blue Horizon Records" They self-produced the 45 RPM single of "Walk Don't Run" and promoted it themselves.

They were successful in getting a local Seattle DJ, Pat O'Day, to use the song as a news trailer. Bob Reisdorf, owner of Dolton Records, heard it on the radio, contacted and signed The Ventures, and the rest is history. Walk Don't Run climbed to #2 on the Billboard Charts Nationwide, in Summer/Autumn 1960. It was blocked from becoming #1 song of the year by Elvis' "It's Now Or Never", the novelty song, "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", and partially, "The Twist" by Chubby Checker.