Don Wilson (musician)
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- Don Dixon
- Don Lee Wilson
February 10, 1933
Don Wilson | |
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.png) Wilson in 1967 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
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| Born | Donald Leroy Wilson February 10, 1933 Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 2022 (aged 88) Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1958–2015 |
| Formerly of | The Ventures |
Donald Leroy 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.[1] 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.[2]
Career
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".[3] 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 Skip Moore, later replaced by Howie Johnson (drums), before Johnson was replaced with Mel Taylor, however on "Walk-Dont Run" and the B side "Home", Skip Moore,a local drummer played drums. "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.[4]
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.[5]
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", although they were cover songs originally written and recorded by The Surfaris and The Chantays. respectively. 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.[6]
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.[4]
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.
Personal life and death
Wilson's daughter Staci Layne-Wilson is a writer and filmmaker[1][7] who directed a documentary about the Ventures titled The Ventures: Stars on Guitars in 2020.[8][better source needed] [9] Wilson died of natural causes on January 22, 2022, aged 88.[4] He was the last surviving member of his band's classic lineup.[10]
Discography
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.[11][12] They are not listed in the Ventures discography.
- Note: Dates in brackets denote date of recording. Dates without brackets denote release date.
Don Wilson USA solo record releases
- Don Dixon. 7" 45. Cry of the Wild Goose/ For your Love. Blue Horizon 6051. USA. 1960.
- Don Wilson. 7" 45. The Twomp/ Heart on my Sleeve. Blue Horizon 6054. 1962
- Don Lee Wilson. 7" 45. Tell Laura I love Her/ Angel. Imperial 60664. 1964
- Don Lee Wilson. 7" 45. (Gul durn it) What d'I Say/ T'aint Funny. Imperial 66038. 1964
- Don Wilson. 7" 45. Forever and Ever/ Angel. Unity CP2117. 1964
- Don Lee Wilson. 7" 45. Feel so Fine/ Angel. Imperial 66091. 1965
- Don Lee Wilson. 7" 45. No Matter what shape (your stomach's in)/ Angel. Liberty 55862. 1966
- Don Lee Wilson. 7" 45. Don't Avoid Me/ Angel. Liberty 55872. 1966
- Don Lee Wilson. 7" 45. Don't Avoid Me/ Sally. Liberty 55890. 1966
- Don Lee Wilson. 7" 45. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye/ Sally. Liberty 55946.1967
- Don Lee Wilson. 7" 45. Seattle in the Rain/ How can I help you Girl. L&M WO 100. 1967
- Don Lee Wilson. 7" 45. Tell Laura I love her/ Bad Boy. Tridex 101. 1967
- Don Wilson . CD The Ventures and the Fabulous Wailers. Two Car Garage. Blue Horizon BH 100-1. 2008.
I hear you knockin' keep knockin', Needles and Pins, When you walk in the room.
- Don Wilson. 7" 45. I never did know when to go home/ My mind is filled with you. Blaze Music BL-101. Date unknown
