Song of the Day #20: “Walk Don’t Run,” by The Ventures

Bob Bogle

            Let us dig a little deeper today to honor the memory of the late Bob Bogle, lead guitarist for The Ventures, who passed away this past sunday at the ripe age of 75. It is a shame that we must continue to say goodbye to fantastic, trend-setting, musicians of the past. Bogle, along with Don Wilson, and the rest of his Ventures (who were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008) from Tacoma, Washington became one of the first surf bands ever to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 with a hit. This hit was, “Walk Don’t Run.”

                   “Walk Don’t Run,” like many hits that debuted during 1950’s and 60’s, was a cover. In this case it was a cover of a rock and roll composition by Johnny Smith, a mainstream Jazz guitarist. Yet, the version by The Ventures clearly shot this composition to hit status, mainly because The Ventures made the song a shorter and more catchy rendition. The song is an instrumental and displays the talent of Bob Bogle and his band quite well. Bogle can be heard experimenting with the tremolo arm (whammy bar) and his work with this arm has become famous. Guitarists like Joe Walsh and Stevie Ray Vaughan have sited Bogle as a large influence on their guitar playing.

                  Rest in peace Bob Bogle and in order to honor his memory I suggest that everyone takes a look at this link from a 1960 performance of “Walk Don’t Run.” 

                 Check it Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ11y7pYl-8