Walk - Don't Run

Album: Walk, Don't Run Vol. 2 (1960)
Charted: 8 2
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Songfacts®:

  • The group's founding duo, Bob Bogle and Don Wilson, chose this instrumental track as a single after being asked to perform it in concert a half dozen times each night. "It was their second single, after "Cookies And Coke" b/w "The Real McCoy."
  • Johnny Smith wrote this and was the first to record it. Chet Atkins also recorded it.
  • This got a push in The Ventures native Seattle when a local radio DJ used it to lead into every newscast.
  • In 1964, The Ventures released an updated version called "Walk Don't Run '64," which also made the Top 10 in the US. In addition to their 1960 and 1964 versions, The Ventures recorded completely new versions in 1968, 1977, 1986, and 2000. "Walk-Don't Run '77" is a disco track. The 1986 one was sort of a heavy metal version, and the one in 2000 has a sax in it.

Comments: 31

  • Bruce from MichiganThe Mosrite guitars did have frets. I have one. The frets are very thin.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 27th 1960, the Ventures performed "Walk - Don't Run" on the ABC-TV program 'Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beechnut Show'...
    At the time the song was at #3 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; two days later on August 29th it would peak at #2* {for 1 week} and it stayed on the chart for 18 weeks...
    Between 1960 and 1969 the Tacoma, Washington quartet had fourteen Top 100 records; three made the Top 10, their other two Top 10 records were "Walk - Don't Run '64" {#8 in 1964} and "Hawaii Five-O" {#4 in 1969}...
    * The week "Walk - Don't Run" was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "It's Now or Never" by Elvis.
  • Gary from Olympia, WaWould like to correct some info some people have put in comments. The drummer on Walk Don't Run that was released as a single was Skip Moore, he was paid $25 on a fixed contract, no royalties this was his agreement. The first drummer was George Babbitt USAF General RET, Howie Johnson was next, then Mel Taylor followed by Joe Barille who left and Mel returned. When Mel Taylor died in 1996 Leon Taylor, Mel's son took on the role of drums. The Ventures initially played Fender guitars; Bob Bogle a Jazzmaster, Don Wilson a Stratocaster then the Jazzmaster, Nokie Edwards initially played bass and used a Fender Precision Bass. Nokie switched to lead and Bob to Bass. Nokie Edwards introduced the Mosrite guitar to the band in either late 1962 or early 1963. I saw the first Ventures model Mosrite in Wichita, KS in 1963, it had a headstock with no markings, sunburst, bound body side jack. After the Mosrite deal collapsed in 1967, the group played varied guitars but returned to Fender and in 1996 a set of Ventures model Fenders came out they were Japanese made. The Ventures later switched to Aria Guitars, I have some of these Aria Ventures models; 1991 Don Wilson model, 2000 Bob Bogle Bass, 2000 Don Wilson guitar, 2001 40th Anniversary model guitar and Bass both candy apple. Nokie Edwards is still performing but as a solo artist and uses a Hitchiker guitar, I have one of these also. Gerry McGee took over the lead guitar duties in 1968 when Nokie left the band. Gerry left for a brief period and Nokie returned and left again followed by Gerry McGee again. Bob Splading now plays bass and lead he and Gerry switch roles in performances. Nokie was the guest lead guitarist in Japan on the winter tours, with Gerry playing lead on the summer tours in Japan. Nokie has not performed with The Ventures since 2009 or 10.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 26th 1964, the Ventures performed "Walk-Don't Run '64" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    The week previous week was its last on the Top 100 {see 3rd post below}...
    On the same 'Bandstand' show the quartet also performed "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue"; twenty-two days later it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #80; and on November 22nd, 1964 it peaked at #35 {for 1 week} and spent 7 weeks on the chart.
  • Art from The Milky WayThe Pink Fairies do an excellent version of this.
  • Sherri from Burleson, TxMy dad, Howie Johnson, was the original drummer on Walk Don't Run by The Venture and I have the Gold Record to prove it. - Sherri (Johnson) Trujillo
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 5th 1964, "Walk - Don't Run '64" by the Ventures entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #86; and on August 16th, 1964 it peaked at #8 (for 2 weeks) and spent 11 weeks on the Top 100 (on its 11th and final week on the chart it was at #41)...
    R.I.P. group co-founder & lead guitarist Bob Bogle (1934 - 2009).
  • Rich from Portsmouth, Nh"Let's take the Henry J down to the Wal-lex!"
  • Smitty from Belpre, OhNot a fantasy, Doug. Eat more fish!! (brain food)
  • Bob from Southfield, MiThe 1964 version of this song was an awesome surf guitar version and also ended up on the charts.
  • Doug from Lincoln, Ne"the Ventures played Mosrite guitars. they had no frets on them."

    WHAAAATTTTT? Mosrite guitars, yes. Frets, yes. Where did this guy come up with this fantasy?
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyThe Ventures' third and last record to make the Top 10 was "HAWAII FIVE-O", it peaked at #4 in 1969. Their next release after "Walk, Don't Run" in 1960 came close, that was "PERFIDIA", it reached #15!!!
  • Mark from Seattle, WaThe Ventures were inducted in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2008, and only the second artist/group from the Northwest Rock And Roll scene to have the honor next to Jimi Hendrix....Heart, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Kingsmen, Paul Revere And Raiders, The Sonics, Merillee Rush...all waiting.
  • Tom from Buffalo, NyJohnny Smith recorded the first version for Roost (later issued on Roulette and Mosaic). He later did a version for Verve. The song's underlying chord changes are from "Softly As In a Morning Sunrise."
  • Niles from Belpre, Ohthe Ventures played Mosrite guitars. they had no frets on them.
  • Steve Dotstar from Los Angeles, Casteve from minnesota-try ebay. the name of the album is"play guitar with the Ventures"
    Mr.Meador,thanks for the info on drummer Skip Moore.it's a very cool intro!I noticed that in the beginning of the Ventures recording career, Bob and Don were the main honchos...i heard that don's mom put the reocrd out on her own label originally..."Blue Horizon?" and it was later picked up or distributed by Liberty.
  • Andy from Norwich, EnglandAnother great cover is by The Iguanas, very good.
    If you don't know there the band that Iggy Pop got his name from. He was the drummer.
  • J. Meador from Yorba Linda, CaHowie Johnson was not the drummer on WDR. It was a guy named Skip Moore who just played on WDR for $25 instead of a 1/4 share in the song and if it hit and turned down the invitation to join the band.
    Howie joined the band when the song hit and joined Bogle (lead) , Wilson(rythmn), and Edwards (bass) on the Dick Clark show when the V's made their national debut in Sept 1960
  • Bob from Providence, RiSkate Punk band, JFA (Jodie Foster's Army) have a version on thier live album that came out in 1984.
    -Bob St.John, prov., RI
  • John from Hummelstown, PaMost people think that the late Mel Taylor playad drums on this song, but it was actually a fine drummer named Howie Johnson, who left the group when it appeared the Ventures would be spending a lot of time on the road. Johnson is credited as the drummer in the liner notes on the Ventures' first album " Walk Don't Run" on the Liberty/Dolton label.
  • Tom from El Cajon, CaI've always liked this song, very easy to listen to and fun to play. Another interesting cover was performed by Steve Howe of YES on the CD - Yes, Friends and Relatives (1998)
  • Steve from Torrance, CaYes guitarist Steve Howe covered this song on his 1998 solo album, "Quantum Guitar".
  • Fyodor from Denver, CoI first heard this song on New Year's Day of 1970 while listening to a radio station play what was billed as the "Top 100" of the sixties. It was somewhere in the 90's. I heard two such top 100's. One had Hey Jude as #1 and the other had I Wanna Hold Your Hand. One of the lists, probably the latter, claimed to be based at least partly on "importance" rather than pure sales. I think that was the one that included Walk, Don't Run, but I'm not sure (twas a while ago!).
  • Gary from Williams Bay, WiThe Ventures have released many great albums over the years and are still playing. The drummer, Mel Taylor passed on and his son Leon is now playing with the group. It is a SHAME this band has NOT been inducted into the music hall of fame, considering how much influence they have had with most of the bands that were. Many of their albums are available at the ventures website.
  • Teresa from Mechelen, BelgiumVery good song; I wonder if it weren't The Ventures who played the song from the television serial "Hawai-Five-O", it's very good too.
  • Devon from Westerville, OhThe Ventures had an influence on Anthrax. If you read the insert for Attack of the Killer B's they mention how Don Wilson's picking style had a major influence in thrash metal. the ventures are a great instrumental band.
  • Rae from Sydney, AustraliaI have no idea y this song is good. Its rather simple, and theres no outstanding muscianship... u cant comment on vocals...yet as everyone said, u cant get it out of ur head...

    hurrah the fender strats!
  • Big Mike from Merrillville, In"Walk, Don't Run" is one of those songs you just can't get out of your head. I remember watching a movie a few years ago, titled "61*". The film was based on the home run duel Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle had in the early 60's while both played for The New York Yankees. Well into the film, this outstanding song, performed by The Ventures, was played. The hairs on the back of may neck stood staight out. How many songs can evoke such reactions?! Not many at all. It's a pathetic crying shame that The Ventures haven't been enshrined in The Rock and Roll Hall-of-Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Pity.
  • Steve from Willmar, MnThe Ventures put out record albums back in the 60's that taught a person how to play their various songs.In lead,rhythm,and in bass.I wish I could find some of them again.I had a couple of them, but long since threw them away.Any help out there?
  • Anton from Hayward, CaThere's a curious cover by Penguin Cafe Orchestra.
  • Gene from Hammond, In, In"Walk, Don't Run" was composed by jazz guitar great Johnny Smith.
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