The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band, formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington, by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. The band, a quartet for most of it's existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar in the US and across the world during the 1960s. The classic lineup of the band consisted of Wilson (rhythm guitar), Bogle (initially lead guitar, switched to bass), Nokie Edwards (initially bass, switched to lead guitar), and Mel Taylor (drums). The Ventures enjoyed their greatest popularity and success in the US and Japan in the 1960s, but they continue to perform and record.