TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Don Wilson, co-founder and rhythm guitarist of the instrumental guitar band The Ventures, has died at 88.
Wilson died Saturday in Tacoma of natural causes, surrounded by his four children,
The band’s hits included “Walk, Don’t Run,” and the theme song for “Hawaii Five-O.” They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Wilson was the last of the original members of the local band.
"I’m heartbroken," bandmate Micky Dolenz told Fox News in a statement on Friday. "I’ve lost a dear friend and partner. I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best – singing, laughing, and doing shtick. I’ll miss it all so much. Especially the shtick. Rest in peace, Nez. All my love, Mick."
Rolling Stone reported the star passed away on Friday from natural causes.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Half of the duo who first
recorded Tennessee’s “Rocky Top” has passed away
at 84. Sonny Osborne, of the Osborne Brothers, at his
home Sunday afternoon at his home in Hendersonville,
TN.
The banjoist joined forces with his brother Bobby to
form the Osborne Brothers band in 1953.
As a teenager in the late 1950s, Babbitt joined the Ventures rock group, replacing the original drummer, Skip Moore. Just before the band gained fame with their huge hit "Walk Don’t Run" in 1960, Babbitt had to drop out because he was not old enough to play the nightclubs and bars the band was beginning to work in.
Babbitt was commissioned in 1965 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Washington. He trained as an aircraft maintenance officer and served as officer in charge of fighter flight lines in the United States, the Pacific and Europe.
He twice commanded aircraft maintenance squadrons and was deputy commander for maintenance of a European F-15 wing.
Prior to assuming command of Air Force Materiel Command, Babbitt was director of the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. (Wikipedia)
THE CRICKETS from left: Joe B. Mauldin, Buddy Holly and
Jerry Allison.
Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959)
Singer-songwriter Buddy Holly was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born in Lubbock, Texas, to a musical family during the Great Depression.
During his short career, Holly wrote and recorded many songs. He is often
regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock-and-roll lineup of
two guitars, bass, and drums. He was a major influence on later popular popular music artists, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton,