Bob Bogle, Lead Guitarist of The Ventures Passes Away

In this wave of recent "celebrity" deaths, I thought I'd mention one that slipped under the radar, but has had a major influence on guitar-based music, especially thrash.

Bob Bogle of the legendary instrumental surf-rock group The Ventures, passed away on June 14th from non-hodgkin's lymphoma. Bob's fast sweeping style of guitar picking (along with Dick Dale) helped define the unique sound of 60's surf rock. The Ventures were moslty know for their hit "Walk, Don't Run" and for the theme to the hit tv show Hawaii 5-0.

Scott Ian of Anthrax pointed out that the fast sweep picking was inflential to his style of guitar playing and helped define the thrash genre.

Here's to you Bob. Rest in peace and have fun jamming with heaven's All-Star band.

Tony Iommi and Jeff Beck were also big fans of The Ventures, thanks for the music.

One of the first riffs i ever learned was Walk Don't Run. The music had character and was relaxing. RIP