Seriously, so many musical greats have been dropping right and left this year, it's been tough to keep track. But I had to give a shout-out to original Ventures guitarist (and later bassist) Bob Bogle, who passed away this past Sunday at the age of 75. The Ventures were the greatest guitar instrumental band of the 1960s (and you could make a good case for "of all time"), influencing everyone from John Fogerty to Johnny Thunders. They left a staggering amount of albums behind them, almost all of which are sure-fire mood elevators — my personal faves being Knock Me Out! and that two-fer CD of The Ventures Play Lonely Bull/The Ventures in Space, though I also have fond memories of spinning their psychedelicized Underground Fire rekkid at the Lava Sutra house back in the day...
So, farewell Bob, and thanks again for all the twangy goodness. In tribute, I'm posting a clip of one of my all-time favorite Ventures tracks, their sizzling version of Richard Rogers' "Slaughter on 10th Avenue," filmed live in Japan in the mid-60s. Take it away, boys...
So, farewell Bob, and thanks again for all the twangy goodness. In tribute, I'm posting a clip of one of my all-time favorite Ventures tracks, their sizzling version of Richard Rogers' "Slaughter on 10th Avenue," filmed live in Japan in the mid-60s. Take it away, boys...
Not only did they influence the sounds of countless guitarists/bands, but also in the axe they chose! Where would Johnny Ramone be w/out his Mosrite?
Posted by: Bob MacKay | June 17, 2009 at 11:47 AM