Plenty of stellar rock guitarists through the years have been honored posthumously. Some, though, remain underrated. And I happen to think that’s the case for Don Wilson, the rhythm guitarist of the surf-rock band The Ventures.
Unless you’re a diehard fan, you might only know this band from hits like “Walk Don’t Run” from 1960 or their stellar 1968 version of “Hawaii Five-O”. Not only is this legendary and influential surf-rock outfit underrated as a whole, but few rock band members are more underrated and overlooked than the rhythm guitarist. Don Wilson was The Ventures’ rhythm guitarist and the longest-running founding member of the band. He performed with the outfit from its inception in 1958 to 2015.
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Wilson passed away in 2022 at the age of 88. The Ventures have carried on without him, but I can’t help but think there’s something young guitarists could learn from this unsung icon.
Don Wilson’s Guitar-Playing Style Was Incredible (And Sorely Underrated)
Many consider The Ventures to be a massively influential band, especially in the world of surf-rock. Formed in Tacoma, the band released dozens of albums in less than two decades during the 1960s and 1970s. And their legacy endures today. They were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Don Wilson’s talents on the rhythm guitar were never showy, but also never boring. His guitar-playing skills were always crisp and consistent, and without his contributions, none of The Ventures’ songs would be as memorable as they are today. He was a master at setting the foundation of a song, all without grabbing all the attention. And yet, he managed to draw the ear all the same.
There’s something that young rhythm guitarists can learn there. There’s an art to being the foundation of a band without really sticking out much. The desire to noodle your way into the meat of a song is one that many rhythm guitarists struggle with. Wilson, on the other hand, didn’t seem too interested in being the “star” of the show. Rather, he seemed to understand the value of his place as the string that tied the whole of The Ventures’ work together.
Consider Don Wilson’s legacy as a rhythm guitarist as a lesson: Flashy doesn’t always equal good. And you can still experiment with tone and technique without pushing the rest of your band to the side.
Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns