NEW EXHIBIT OFFERS A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BEST-SELLING INSTRUMENTAL BAND IN ROCK AND ROLL HISTORY
Sixty years after the release of their
first hit, “Walk, Don’t Run,” the Ventures are considered the most
influential, best-selling instrumental band in rock and roll history. To
showcase the group’s impact on pop culture, guitar players, and their
worldwide fan base, the GRAMMY Museum® proudly announces
Walk, Don’t Run: 60 Years Of The Ventures, a new exhibit showcasing
original items from the group’s six-decade career including instruments,
tour programs, never-before-seen photos, vinyl, and more. The exhibit
will open on Dec. 7, and will run until Aug. 3, 2020.
On Jan.
9, musician Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (who has been associated with The
Ventures since the 1980’s and has done recordings with them over the
years), Fiona Taylor (Mel Taylor’s widow and band manager), and other
special guests to be announced soon will be at the Museum to discuss
stories behind the exhibit with Scott Goldman in the Clive Davis
Theater.
“It’s such an honor to have an exhibit dedicated to
The Ventures at the GRAMMY Museum and be recognized for our impact on
music history,” said Don Wilson, founding member of the band. “I like to
think that, because we ‘Venturized’ the music we recorded and played,
we made it instantly recognizable as being The Ventures. We continue to
do that, even today.”
Walk, Don’t Run: 60 Years Of The
Ventures will offer an inside look at how the Ventures grew to be
considered one of the most prolific bands in rock music, having
recording more than 250 albums in the past 60 years. The inherent
versatility as an instrumental band has allowed the band to explore
several musical styles throughout their career, including surf, country,
classical, and more. Between 1960 and 1972, 38 of the Ventures albums
made it to the charts. Additionally, the Ventures released instructional
albums that have made it to the Billboard charts. Many novice
guitar players have credited these educational LPs as a direct influence
on their own bands, which has earned the Ventures the honorary title of
“the band that launched a thousand bands.”
“The Ventures have
inspired generations of musicians during their storied six-decade
career, motivating many artists to follow in their footsteps and start
their own projects,” said Michael Sticka, GRAMMY Museum President. “As a
music museum, we aim to shine a light on music education, and we
applaud the Ventures for earning their honorary title of ‘the band that
launched a thousand bands.’ Many thanks to the Ventures and their
families for letting us feature items from this important era in music
history.”
Exhibit highlights include:
- A 1965 Ventures model Mosrite electric guitar
- Fender Limited Edition Ventures Signature guitars (1996)
- Mel Taylor’s Gretsch snare drum
- Original 45 rpm of “Walk, Don’t Run”
- Original test pressing of “Hawaii Five-O”