| Don Wilson | |
| Birth Name: | Donald Leroy Wilson |
| Birth Date: | 10 February 1933 |
| Birth Place: | Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Musician, composer, arranger, producer |
| Instruments: | Guitar |
| Years Active: | 1958–2015 |
| Past Member Of: | The Ventures |
Don Wilson (February 10, 1933 – January 22, 2022) was an American guitarist who, with Bob Bogle, was a founding member of the instrumental surf-rock group the Ventures. In 2008, Wilson and other members of the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Performer category. Wilson was the last surviving member of the classic lineup of the Ventures following the death of Nokie Edwards in 2018, before Wilson's own death in January 2022.
Wilson was born in Tacoma, Washington and was a middle child. The family heritage is mixed, his mother, Josie, was first-generation Swedish, while his father was of Welsh and Irish descent. His mother would show him how to play chords on the tiple when he was around 12 years old.[1]
In 1958, Wilson and Bob Bogle met Nokie Edwards and they invited him to be a member of the group. Originally Edwards played bass, but later played lead guitar with Bogle switching to bass. In 1960, Wilson's mother, Josie, encouraged them to record a cover of Chet Atkins' instrumental version of Johnny Smith's composition "Walk, Don't Run". Unable to play his finger-style version, they re-arranged it in their own style. The lineup at the time consisted of Wilson, Bogle, Edwards and Howie Johnson (drums), before Johnson was replaced with Mel Taylor. "Walk, Don't Run" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and has been described as what "started a whole new movement in rock & roll" by John Fogerty.[2]
The Ventures' song "Wild Child" was sampled by the Wiseguys on "Start the Commotion", giving Wilson his only hit writing credit on the British charts, reaching number 47 and spending 2 weeks on the chart.[3]
In 1968, they released a single titled "Hawaii Five-O" and is now known as the theme tune to the show of the same name. Some of the group's other notable songs include "Wipe Out" and "Pipeline". Wilson continued to tour with the Ventures until 2015, when he retired. Since then the band has continued to perform without any original members. Wilson was present when the Ventures were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.[4]
The Ventures have since released over 250 studio albums, 150 singles and 80 compilation albums, and have left a large impact on instrumental music. Eddie Van Halen is among one of many musicians who have been influenced by the band; with Halen quoting their song Pipeline to have been one of the first songs he learned how to play on the guitar.
Wilson's rhythmic, aggressive guitar style earned him the title 'Mr Tiki-tiki' in Japan and Ventures concerts always featured two Wilson vocals, but his efforts as a solo artist did not succeed in emulating the success of The Ventures.
Wilson's daughter Staci Layne-Wilson is a writer and filmmaker[5] [6] who directed a documentary about the Ventures titled The Ventures: Stars on Guitars in 2020.[7] Wilson died of natural causes on January 22, 2022, aged 88. He was the last surviving member of his band's classic lineup.[8]
Wilson's recorded work was mainly instrumental with The Ventures, but he did record and release many vocals in his own name that were released as singles and later on vinyl album and CD in the USA, Japan and the UK.[9] [10] They are not listed in the Ventures discography.
I hear you knockin' keep knockin', Needles and Pins, When you walk in the room.
What d'I Say (1964), Sally (1966), Feel so Fine (1965), Behind these stained glass windows (1966), T'aint Funny (1964), Angel (1965), Don't avoid me (1966), Tell Laura I love her (1964), Kiss tomorrow goodbye (1967).
Kiss tomorrow goodbye (1967).
Feel so fine (1965), Angel (1965),
Hey there Sunshine (1966), Behind these stained glass windows (1966), Kiss tomorrow goodbye (1967), Sally (1966).
1.Runaway (1999), 2. Needles and Pins (1983), 3. Black is Black (1999), 4. Keep Searchin' (1999), 5. When you walk in the Room (1983), 6. Hats off to Larry (1999), 7.So Fine (1965), 8. End of the World (1965), 9. Caribbean (1995), 10. The Wind blows East (1995), 11. Born to Lose (1965), 12. Steady as she goes (1983), 13. Detroit City (1965), 14. Yesterday (1965), 15. I forgot to remember to forget (1965), 16. I can't stop loving you (1965).
CD 5 contains Don Wilson's vocals: Hello Mary Lou (2015), Rebel Rouser – Detour – Ghost Riders in the Sky (This medley featured Don Wilson playing lead guitar 2015), The Twomp (2015), Whole lot of Shakin' going on – I got a Woman (2015), Runaway (1999), Needles And Pins (1983), Black is Black (1999), Keep Searchin' (1999), When you walk in the Room (1983), Hats off to Larry (1999), So Fine (1965), End of the World (1965), Caribbean (1995), The Wind blows East (1995), Born to Lose (1965), Steady as she goes (1983), Detroit City (1965), Yesterday (1965), I forgot to remember to forget (1965), I can't stop loving you (1965).
Feel so fine (1965), Angel (1966), Runaway (1999), Sally (1966).
Like you've never known before (unreleased), Don't avoid me (1966), Heart on my Sleeve (1962), The Twomp (unreleased version from 1960 as Don Wilson), Runaway (1970), Feel so Fine (1965).
I want you to want me (unreleased), How can I help you girl (1967), Let the four winds blow (unreleased), For your love (1960 as Don Dixon).