Nokie Edwards RIP

For anything about people who are not Shadows members

Moderators: David Martin, dave robinson, Iain Purdon, George Geddes

Re: Nokie Edwards RIP

Postby abstamaria » Wed Mar 14, 2018 11:40 pm

It is good you were able to chat with Nokie, George, Jim, Abel (and Dick Dale too, Abel!). I saw Nokie last at a Ventures show here in Manila a few years ago. He was no longer able to stand and played leaning against a stool.

I always thought that being identified with the Ventures was a mixed blessing for Nokie. That brought him steady income, but he must have wanted to play his own music in his style, I thought. He must have wanted to become his own guitarist.

Nokie and Don Wilson seem to have swapped guitars in that publicity photo.

(As an aside, Nokie only played bass for the hit - WDR - that brought the Ventures to fame. There is some debate as to his role in the original recording of Hawaii Five-O.)

Andy
User avatar
abstamaria
 
Posts: 1224
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:27 am
Full Real Name: Andres Sta. Maria

Re: Nokie Edwards RIP

Postby JimN » Thu Mar 15, 2018 2:21 am

abel wrote:RIP Nokie,

Jim,
Did we go together that year to Deke' s Guitar Geek?


We did! It was the first of the two times I was there (and the year I won that guitar!).

abel wrote:I had the honor of meeting Nokie a few times and especially at the NAMM show a few years ago.
I went to see the Ventures play at their booth and at my surprise, they came to see me play at the Minarik Guitar booth where I
was featuring the "Diablo" Minarik guitar, a weird looking but extremely well sounding one.
It didn't have a vibrato, so they fitted a Floyd Rose tremolo bar on it and it played beautifully. The neck was one of kind.
At my first set, Nokie, and the Ventures came to listen and I was stressed and intimidated.
At my second set, Dick Dale came surrounded with a big crowd following him everywhere he went, and he asked me to play my version
of "Maria Elena" that he had previously listened to in his small plane out of the CD I had sent him.

In addition to his immense talent, Nokie was a very humble, courteous and amicable person.
Below, the Ventures in their prime years:

Image

Blessings,
Abel


See you soon (I hope).

JN
User avatar
JimN
 
Posts: 4780
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:39 pm
Full Real Name: Jim Nugent

Re: Nokie Edwards RIP

Postby Uncle Fiesta » Sat Mar 17, 2018 12:27 pm

I think it was just unfortunate timing that prevented Nokie's passing from being more widely reported, falling as it did between Ken Dodd and Stephen Hawking.
User avatar
Uncle Fiesta
 
Posts: 1187
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:31 pm
Location: near Gainsborough, England
Full Real Name: Steve Tebble

Re: Nokie Edwards RIP

Postby JimN » Sat Mar 17, 2018 1:31 pm

abstamaria wrote:(As an aside, Nokie only played bass for the hit - WDR - that brought the Ventures to fame. There is some debate as to his role in the original recording of Hawaii Five-O.)

Andy


Legendary Hollywood guitarist and Wrecking Crew member Tommy Tedesco claimed to have played the lead guitar on Hawaii-Five-O. Since he had played lead guitar on many other TV themes (including Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, Green Acres, M*A*S*H and Batman), that sounds credible. He had nothing to prove or gain by making false claims.

Nokie's claims to personal fame certainly didn't rest on Hawaii-Five-O.
User avatar
JimN
 
Posts: 4780
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:39 pm
Full Real Name: Jim Nugent

Re: Nokie Edwards RIP

Postby cockroach » Sat Mar 17, 2018 1:52 pm

JimN wrote:
abstamaria wrote:(As an aside, Nokie only played bass for the hit - WDR - that brought the Ventures to fame. There is some debate as to his role in the original recording of Hawaii Five-O.)

Andy


Legendary Hollywood guitarist and Wrecking Crew member Tommy Tedesco claimed to have played the lead guitar on Hawaii-Five-O. Since he had played lead guitar on many other TV themes (including Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, Green Acres, M*A*S*H and Batman), that sounds credible. He had nothing to prove or gain by making false claims.

Nokie's claims to personal fame certainly didn't rest on Hawaii-Five-O.


It certainly sounds like Tommy Tedesco to me on Hawaii 50...Nokie has a different 'touch' and sound when he played it on live Ventures footage that I've got.
cockroach
 
Posts: 1459
Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:33 am
Location: Australia
Full Real Name: john cochrane

Re: Nokie Edwards RIP

Postby abstamaria » Sat Mar 17, 2018 6:00 pm

I only mentioned WDR and Hawaii Five-O because Rolling Stone cited those two hits principally in their obituary for Nokie.

The obits also mention a simple style that encouraged people to pick up guitars and learn to play. I would attribute that more to Bob Bogle. It was his simpler pieces, including WDR, that made me think I could play too. Nokie, the more proficient guitarist, the guitarist’s guitarist, always had more flourish. Up to now, I know I can’t play like he did.

Nokie seemed many times to have tried to break away from the Ventures. I keep thinking he should have not rejoined them after he first left - was that in 1962 or 1963. Then he would perhaps played what and how he wanted and been recognized in his own right. He deserved that.

Best,

Andy
User avatar
abstamaria
 
Posts: 1224
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:27 am
Full Real Name: Andres Sta. Maria

Re: Nokie Edwards RIP

Postby iefje » Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:26 am

Another true legend has passed away, rest in peace Nokie... Of the original band, only Don Wilson is still with us, although he doesn't play with The Ventures anymore, is that correct?
iefje
 
Posts: 1788
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:00 pm
Full Real Name: Ivo Koers

Re: Nokie Edwards RIP

Postby Alan Taylor » Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:54 pm

Yes that is correct, Don Wilson has now retired from The Ventures.
Alan Taylor
 
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:12 pm
Full Real Name: Alan Taylor

Previous

Return to People

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests

Ads by Google
These advertisements are selected and placed by Google to assist with the cost of site maintenance.
ShadowMusic is not responsible for the content of external advertisements.