SEMIE MOSELEY & THE VENTURES AT OPENING OF HARD ROCK CAFE

[EF@MosriteRecords]

Venture Fans. I'll post this photo of the group they gave me. I am posting
because I am just proud of it. The guys have always been nice to me. Having
Nokie on my Tribute Album and him Releasing his Albums on Mosrite Records also.
Nokie and wife Judy are wonderful folks and friends.


Luv
Elaine

[vjf1968]

After reading about the event in Del Halterman's book: "Walk-Don't Run"-The Story Of The Ventures the only person who knew of Semie coming to the event was Nokie Edwards and Joe Rosingnolo. The other members had no idea. Don Wilson from what I gathered was a little dumbfounded by the guitar that Semie gave him (it had DON inlaid in the neck) considering everything that happened with the Mosrite/Ventures deal in the late 60's. It is no secret that Don did not like the necks on the Mosrites and was even more annoyed that the neck was the same.

But is nice that someone closely associated with Semie Moseley and was actually at the event is here on this forum to provide some great pictures.

[EF@MosriteRecords]

I can only relate what I saw and heard. But I saw no problem between Semie or
any member of the Ventures. And it was reported in and around San Diego that The Ventures were going to all be in attendance. Semie was staying at my home and I was with him from start to finish and was right beside Semie when the inital contact was made with he group. I saw no negative VIBES. I do not know who Del is. I invite him to contact me. I have no idea where he got his information from. Again the only guitar I saw Semie get off the plane with was the Silver Guitar which was given to Hard Rock and the one he gave me. I am open to hearing from Del. If events took place after this night I have no knowledge of something that took place at a later time. My comments are only about the events that took place that night. I know I had no problem with anything about this event and I can say things went well for Semie. As Dennis said this was History.

EF

[Veenture]

Fantastic!

[Strat-o-rama]

"Check
out the Venture Model Semie brought out for me "now that's my color ". I love that guitar."

It's hard to tell from the photo, but is that a candy apple metallic red? Any other cdetails about that particular guitar? This is fantastic historic guitar stuff, Elaine. Thanks for posting!

[Dennisthe Menace]

After reading about the event in Del Halterman's book: "Walk-Don't Run"-The Story Of The Ventures the only person who knew of Semie coming to the event was Nokie Edwards and Joe Rosingnolo. The other members had no idea. Don Wilson from what I gathered was a little dumbfounded by the guitar that Semie gave him (it had DON inlaid in the neck) considering everything that happened with the Mosrite/Ventures deal in the late 60's. It is no secret that Don did not like the necks on the Mosrites and was even more annoyed that the neck was the same.

vjf1968,

I don't have a copy of the book, but does it describe anything at all about the guitar with Don's name on it? (color of the guitar, pick-ups)?
.........I know.........I'm 'fishing' again, but how else are we going to separate 'myth' from 'facts?'

"History Comes Alive!"

[vjf1968]

Please do not think I was fanning any flames. I am glad Elaine has given her personal insight on this event. Whether Del Halterman's account is from a personal standpoint I can not answer. I do know Don Wilson was quoted in a interview about the event (in the book) where he mentioned being blindsided by the gift that Semie gave him.

Elaine, I do not mean any disrespect and if I in any way offended you or anyone else here please accept my apology.

[Veenture]

I don't have a copy of the book, but does it describe anything at all about the guitar with Don's name on it? (color of the guitar, pick-ups)?

For the sake of clarity and for those who don’t have the Ventures Book by Del Halterman, here’s a quote from it:

The surprise of surprises came when Moseley produced another Mosrite guitar. This one was a sparkling new Ventures model with a sunburst finish and white pickups. On the fingerboard, between the second and fifth frets, were inlaid letters spelling DON. Hand written on the back of the headstock was the inscription: “To Don from Semie Moseley.” Considering the history of the sixties and the recent incidents involving Semie, Don was completely dumbfounded, but as he recalls, he graciously accepted the gift. “When Joe [Rosignolo] brought us to the ceremony, he didn’t tell us that he had invited Semie, or we would likely have not gone along with it. We were not interested in doing anything more with Mosrite. Then Semie presents me with that guitar. I thought that maybe he had finally seen the light and built a guitar with a wider neck, but no, he’d been making them the same for thirty years and he just couldn’t change.

The book also says that

Stirring up curiosity of the band’s fans in America and Japan, Don used the Mosrite as his “on stage spare” for almost a year.

Fiona Taylor who was also present (she had just got married to Mel) recalls;

“…it was a really awkward situation for all concerned.”

[thunderhead]

Elaine, Thanks again for posting such Historically great photo's. I personnally love seeing this Mosrite /Ventures History. I also enjoy the photos of your Guitars, is that Red Ventures Guitar Metallic or Pastel

[EF@MosriteRecords]

thunderhead: It's red but not a heavy metallic red it's a 67. I will try to find photo's
of it.

EF