When I first received The Ventures - Walk–Don't Run to the Hall of Fame, I wondered how will I ever get through this massive tome to the world's most successful instrumental band. The simple answer? Burn the midnight oil! Once I got started I couldn't put it down. There are so many twists and turns, the story pulls you along from decade to decade as the fads and fortunes propel the group from success to success, rising and falling with the trends of music and fate. This story provides ample proof of what happens to the roller coaster at the bottom. It rises up again!
We learn who played, produced and wrote the songs and which guitars, amps, mics, and special effects were used. Reading Walk–Don't Run to the Hall of Fame sent me straight back to my Ventures vinyl collection to rediscover hidden gems I'd overlooked and further afield to Billy Strange and Redbone. It's cool to know who the gorgeous girls were on the album covers and that Josie Wilson, the mom behind the band was such a driving force. There are many hidden stories within that tell of the times and people and make one aware of just how significant The Ventures are for all these years on their way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Danny Marks - JAZZ.FM91
Toronto, Ontario

Being a Ventures fan since my friend's older brother first introduced me to two of their earlier albums in 1961, I have always wanted to know more of them.



Even though they are finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame there are so many that do not know of whom they are and it is a real shame as they helped pioneer the now taken for granted classic line up of two guitars, bass and drums. In the sixties they really stood out not only for doing all instrumentals but playing their instruments so well. Their playing ability was far above many of their counterparts.

Only other then Britain's "The Shadows", The Ventures were so unique in their sound and especially their excellence of musicianship.



As the more senior musician's of today know, they are an influential force for so many to take up the playing of either guitar, bass or drums. I am one of them.



I just received my copy of "Walk-Don't Run - The Story of The Ventures" and am so thrilled by how much information that is in this book. The photos are great to see and overall it is just a wonderful dream come true to finally have detailed insight as to what was previously elusive.



I highly recommend this book not only just to any fan of The Ventures but to any person whom has just discovered them for the first time. You will be fascinated by one of rock and roll's greatest instrumental pioneers of all time.





Cheers,

David Grigg

A long overdue work about a guitar band that would influence most of today's major Rock & Roll stars. Destined to become a cult classic at the very least. 5 Stars from cover to cover.

Rich Carozza

This long awaited & long overdue definitive account of the



biggest selling, most popular & most listened to INSTRUMEN-



TAL BAND OF ALL TIME is a 'winner' from the outset. Close



to 400 pages, author Del Halterman decides to take everyone



to VENTURES SCHOOL. The wealth of material presented here



along with a superb collection of photos is mind boggling to



say the least. Knowledgeable fans the World over will find



themselves just about every other page saying, "I never



knew that." Of course it was a big help I'm sure for Mr.



Halterman to have both founding members of the group- Bob



Bogle & Don Wilson nearby serving up fact after fact along



with Rock 'n Roll's most famous mom- Josie Wilson keeping



everything on the straight & narrow. Chronologically it's



right on. No stone is left unturned. The writing is not



opinionated in nature. Readers early on sense the dogged-



ness & persistence of Wilson & Bogle. They had a dream &



were going to do their best to carry it thru. For novices



who know nothing about the group, it's a facinating story.



But no doubt we'll also have music critics learn even more



about these pioneers of Rock. If there's a negative, it's



the fact the book could've given us the aftermath from their



much deserved Hall of Fame Induction. But then the fans



know of the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration plus the



continued scheduled touring thru the summer of '09. This



musical party shows no signs of ending anytime soon so I



suppose a sequel to this SUCCESS STORY is another NO BRAINER!



TOM BALTAEFF