I first met Nokie in 1988 when I bought the Nokie Edwards model Mosrite at a NYC guitar show. He and Semie both have their signature on the guitar. He was, is, and always will be my guitar hero. Years later I would spend a few days every summer with him and Judy in Nashville at the Chet Atkins convention. He was an extraordinary musician who was respected by all. He and Judy were also warm friendly people devoid of the ego that fame often brings. I've seen Judy since Nokies passing and she will help keep his music alive along with the millions of guitarists he inspired. Play on Nokie now with Mel, Bob, and Gerry. You will never be forgotten my friend. Our tears are for us because we'll miss you not for you since you are in a better place. R.I.P.
This man could play circles around 99.9% of Rolling Stone Magazines best guitar players, yet he is not in it. I was blessed to have talked to him a few times. Thanks for the music.
What a nice tribute to one of the finest guitarist of all time. Nokie and The Ventures were a big influence on my decision to learn to play the guitar. The heroes of my generation are slowly passing, but they all including Nokie have left incredible legacies for future musicians to remember them by. Rest in peace Nokie. You have done well. Thank you.
I met Nokie in Kyoto, Japan in 1980 . We instantly became friends. That night after my singing stint at the BelAmi Club where Nokie was treated like a king, he & I visited several clubs where Nokie was requested to play. He was so nice that he asked me to sing as he accompanied me on the guitar ! What a wonderful man Nokie was ! Rest in peace !
Greatest guitarist of my time...A true entertainer..Will always miss your music,Nokie....Rest in Peace dear friend..wherever you are today,once again entertaining young masses of today's World..
Soy argentino.SIEMPRE ADMIRE A LA MARAVILLOSA BANDA VENTURES Y A ESTE FANTÁSTICO GUITARRISTA. LOS TALENTOS ESPECIALEE ASÍ JAMÁS SE VAN DEL TODO PORQUE EN CADA CANCIÓN QUE SE ESCUCHE ,SERÁ TAN NÍTIDO EL RECUERDO QUE TRAERÁ EL ESPÍRITU IMBORRABLE DE ESTE EXTRAORDINARIO GUITARRISTA. MI ADMIRACIÓN POR SIEMPRE DESDE ARGENTINA TROVADOR INCOMPARABLE. ..!
Just a super creature. Not a bad word toward anyone was ever uttered. Nokie, Bob, Mel, Don and Jerry. I listened to as much of their music as possible for 58 years. He could and did play every genre perfectly. I feel sad to have outlived all but Don. Let's hope he's here forever. RIP Nokie. Your in my soul everyday.
Just found out, We know our heroes cannot live forever, but that realization is of no help. This man did sooooo much for the evolution of guitar playing. I put him up there with Jimi, Django, and yes, Segovia. You’ll be missed, but there is NO way I can ever forget you. God Bless You Nokie....and your family and to The Ventures
From "Surf Rider to "Hawaii Five O," from " Rap City" to "Vincent", Noki e Edwards truly was the King of Guitars!Thank you for over sixty years of inspiration thru your music! RIP.
In 1961 while drivng to my G'tar lesson in Engelwood, NJ, Walk Don't Run came on the radio... to be sure, I was 'bitten'. Prior to that date, I was influenced 1st by Chuck Berry and Bil Halley, then Duane Eddy, on to Chet n' Les and yes, finally, but continuously to this day, The Ventures. As a group they were the BEST...workin' together, traveling together, writing together, and sharing their inspiration by providing world-wide enjoyment! As a lead g'tar virtuoso, to me, Nokie was the most creative and diverse top g'tar craftsman in the world. I am pleased to know that his talent still and will live on through the magical medium of recorded music. Peace to all... Rick McGuire, songwriter
Nokie Edwards was one of the best guitar-slingers of all time. The first time I heard him play with the Ventures in the 60s it blew my mind, and I developed a lifelong love affair with the guitar. Nokie will always be special to me.
Dude the first time I saw him play on here,I couldn't believe how his hands moved with such finesse and grace. Easily one of the greatest guitar players I ever seen.
I met Nokie three times and he was always so friendly and sincere. An amazing talent that deserved much more accolades in the guitar world of players. Extremely upset and saddened of his death. RIP.
He was a beautifully tasteful player. His work influenced a lot of young players. He was a modest man and always had time for new players with helpful and kindly advice. Sadly missed.
He was such a humble man yet he could out play anyone I ever heard. Not a show off just so smooth and magnificent. Such an inspiration to me in the 1960’s as I learned to play guitar. Listened to my records over and over to learn.
el mas grande de todos los tiempos guitarrista escelente su tecnica y virtuosidad tanta influencia en la musica y en la guitarra electrica. gracias por su existencia.
Tears and tears!!!!! This guy was THE ONE I respected the most since I was a young (very young) kid! Will always be one of my top guitarrists of all times!
Com o falecimento de Nokie Edwards, ficamos num vazio doloroso, o som de sua guitarra que nos propiciou tantos momentos memoráveis ficará para sempre em nossos corações e mentes. Ele partiu, mas a sua música está eternizada nos discos e nos vídeos. Descanse em paz Nokie. Aceite os pesares deste seu fã aqui do Sul do Brasil. THE VENTURES FOR EVER.
Nokie Nokie...😢 gracias por tu grandioso talento....eres y seras siempre, un excelente guitarrista...con un oido, maravilloso....gracias Nokie....R.I.P NOKIE
Man,I was just watching him with my father on the weekend telling him he died not long ago. Then don't I find out today that he passed away on monday. I play guitar,I live and breath this music and he was the greatest guitarist to ever live! RIP Nokie,hope your playing a beautiful melody for my friends and family in heaven.
I get a little tearful listening to this song. It brings back memories of my teen years. I grew up listening to Nokie and The Ventures back in the 1960s. They inspired me to learn to play guitar, and I played lead guitar in a little brother band patterned after The Ventures. I later switched to bass guitar and enjoyed playing for many years in various bands, including backing some stars. Thank you, Nokie and The Ventures, for giving me that inspiration and so many memories.
Nokie... eres y seras un excelente guitarrista, un artista maravilloso....Gracias por tu talento Nokie....Gracias!!! Te recordaremos siempre..."the Ventures " marcaron mi vida... siempre estaran en mi recuerdo con su música de hoy, mañana y siempte!!!!😢😢😢😢😭😭😭😭😭
Just as I was about to graduate high school, somebody left a copy of the ventures play secret agent themes at my friend's house. He got tired of me always dropping by asking him to play it so I went out and got my own and a bunch of Ventures records and I learned how to play their songs and I had a bunch of fun doing that in Solo and with groups with friends it was so fun trying to figure out how the ventures made the magic happen. Then many years later I met Nokie at the Chet Atkins Guitar Festival in Nashville, they loved him there because he was a finger picker, and he was so kind to give me an autograph and pose for a picture with me and I got to tell him how much I loved his guitar playing. I guess that's the part I'm the most glad about, I got to tell him how much I loved his music
He and the Ventures were the reason I picked up a guitar when I was in high school. I am 71 now and still play Walk Don;t Run with groups. An unsung guitar hero if there ever was one.
The Ventures were one of those rare groups, that were so appreciated by serious guitar folks...yet managed to be very successful financially too!...But they were never really worshipped by teenyboppers of the sixties, because their appearance on stage was decidedly Retro/50s, and so they were seen as out of date, by many younger people back in the day...and they could not have cared less about that!
We are very sad to know that Nokie Edwards has left us today on Apl. 18, 2018, leaving us everlasting memories of great Ventures Era. May his soul rest in piece.
He and his wife Judy were/are two of the most generous souls in the music business. I picked up a guitar at 6 because of Walk Don't Run.Rest in Peace Nokie and peace to the Edwards family
Nokie Edwards : A guitar player's best friend. Nokie, we just loved you and all the great inspiration for any genre of guitarist. RIP. Your now at peace with Bob Bogle. RIP .
While the Ventures may continue in name only, none will replace the original artists who not only played the music but imparted their unique style which cannot be duplicated.
Nokie, Thank You! For the wonderful times we had together, for all the inspiration you provided to me to play the guitar, to you I am forever grateful. Now you have joined the Ventures Band of Angels with Howie, Bob, and Mel. We remember you always.
Nokie was my inspiration to play guitar and like the band that launched a thousand bands, his influence on many young guitarists goes beyond measure. Always innovative, the Ventures, with Nokie on lead, pushed he envelope on what sounds could eminate from a guitar before pedals became commonplace. He will truly be missed.
... depois de 3 décadas pude conhecer sua imagem por que seu som sempre esteve em minha alma desde meus 15 anos hoje tenho 72 = esteja com os Deus da musicalidade que sempre lhe iluminou
Que Deus abençoe e ilumine seus caminhos você nos deu muitas alegrias muito obrigado pra mim você foi o maior guitarrista solo do mundo Descanse em paz Muito Obrigado
...and yet one only heard a small part of his great talent. His country picking was quite astounding, there is an example as he plays a duet with Them Bresh (I'll see you in my dreams). Casual brilliance!