Nokie Edwards, lead guitarist of the Ventures, dies at 82 CALENDAR

Nokie Edwards, a founding member of the Ventures who helped create rollicking, infectious and influential hits in the 1960s for the guitar-driven band, including the surf-rock standard “Walk, Don’t Run,” has died at a hospital in Yuma, Ariz. He was 82.

Guitarist Deke Dickerson confirmed the death and said that Edwards had recently been hospitalized for complications from hip surgery.

The Ventures’s first album, “Walk, Don’t Run” (1960), with Bob Bogle on lead guitar and Edwards on bass, sold more than 2 million copies, reached No. 2 on the pop charts and served as a touchstone for many aspiring guitarists. By 1962, Bogle and Edwards, the more skilled guitarist, had traded places. Edwards would remain the group’s lead guitarist until his departure in 1968.

Although arguably the most successful instrumental band in rock ’n’ roll history, the Ventures had a less-than-electrifying performing style. Their lone stage gimmick consisted of moving their guitars and basses in tandem, an action that seems quaint in retrospect. However, their influence on rock music — particularly Edwards’ nimble, melodic guitar work — was incalculable.

The combo entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 and inspired guitarists Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, the second of whom gave the induction speech.

“I believe in simplicity,” Edwards once told the San Antonio Express-News. “If you have a melodic line, people will like it. If you can hum it, you can have a hit.”

That simplicity led to a remarkable run of charting singles that included a more aggressive 1964 surf remake of “Walk, Don’t Run.” While their twangy, reverb-drenched guitars and rumbling drums helped launch the surf-music craze, the Ventures did not consider themselves a surf band. They established their versatility on such concept albums as the eerie “The Ventures in Space” (1964), the mod-influenced “Wild Things!” (1966) and the psychedelic “Guitar Freakout” (1967).

They recorded movie and television themes — “The Fugitive,” “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,” “Secret Agent Man” — and sustained their career with instrumental covers of contemporary hits. An original by Bogle and Edwards, “Surf Rider” (1961), was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film “Pulp Fiction.”

The Ventures also recorded several instruction albums for bass, guitar and drums, all with accompanying books. One such album, “Play Guitar with the Ventures,” managed the unlikely feat of placing on the Billboard album charts in 1965.

Their most enduring popularity was not in the United States but in Japan. They first toured there in 1961 and were astonished to learn on subsequent trips that they had spawned a legion of imitators.

“There are so many groups like the Ventures that they even try to call themselves something close to the name,” Edwards told the Los Angeles Times in 1996. “The Yokohama Ventures, the Venturas — anything to get close.”

Nole Floyd Edwards was born in Lahoma, Okla., on May 9, 1935, to a family of migrant fruit pickers who eventually relocated by horse-drawn wagon to Puyallup, Wash. He had 12 siblings, and many family members were musicians.

By 5, he was playing guitar and mandolin, among other instruments. He briefly performed with country singer Buck Owens before teaming up with Bogle, rhythm guitarist Don Wilson and drummer Howie Johnson to form the Ventures.

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MONDAY, MARCH 19

— 2-4:30 p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road; through Wed.; also Saturday, 9:3011:30 a.m.; one-on-one technology help; free; call to schedule 20 min. session, (860) 441-6750.

— 10-11 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; also Wed.; 30 classes for $50; $55 nonresidents; registration required (860) 739-5859.

— 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; 12 classes for $27; $30 nonresidents; registration required, (860) 739-5859.

— 4-5 p.m., Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road; also Wed. and Fri.; 8-weeks for $72; (860) 441-6785.

— 5-6 p.m., Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road; also Wed.; 8-weeks for $60; (860) 4416785.

— 8 a.m., East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road; through March 20; (860) 739-6926.

— 10:30 a.m., Estuary Council of Seniors Inc., 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; also Thursday; $6; (860) 388-1611.

— 27 Chase St.; 9:15-10:15 a.m., Zumba lite; 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., painting class; 11:30 a.m., lunch; noon-1:30 p.m., bingo; 1:30-2:30 p.m., gentle yoga; 1:30-3:30 p.m., Wii bowling; (860) 599-3285.

— Estuary Council of Seniors Inc., 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; a variety of exercise classes suitable for all individuals with or without restrictions 50 plus years of age; (860) 388-1611.

— 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road; help with online job applications, resumes, cover letters and interview skills; free; drop in; (860) 441-6750.

— 12 Van Tassell Drive, Gales Ferry; 9 a.m., yoga; 9:30 a.m., quilting; noon, out to lunch meet and greet; 1 p.m., tai chi; (860) 464-0478.

— 9:30-11:30 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; $2; call to register (860) 739-5859.

— 6-7:15 p.m., Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich; presented by instructors from A Peace of Space Yoga and Wellness Center; free; (860) 8892365.

— 12:30 p.m., Salem Free Public Library, 264 Hartford Road.

— 5:15-6 p.m., Harkness Chapel, Connecticut College, 270 Mohegan Ave., New London; free; (860) 625-0294.

— 10 a.m., Estuary Council of Seniors, 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; $4; ages 50+; (860) 3881611.

— 6:30-8:30 p.m., Groton Bible Chapel, 66 Tollgate Road; (860) 445-1760.

— 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m., Senior Resources, 19 Ohio Ave., Suite 2, Norwich; become a workshop leader to help those with ongoing long term health conditions; RSVP to Lori Rygielski at (860) 887-3561 or lrygielski@seniorresourcesec.org.

— 1 p.m., Estuary Council of Seniors, 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; free; call to register (203) 458-6268.

— 15 Rope Ferry Road; 8:30 a.m., strength III; 9 a.m., casual bridge; 10 a.m., hearty moves; 10:15 a.m., duplicate bridge; 12:30 p.m., mahjong; 1 p.m., quilting, guitar & ukulele; (860) 444-5839.

— 7 p.m., Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, 294 Washington St., Norwich.

— 10 a.m., Huntington Street Baptist Church, 29 Huntington St., New London.

— 7 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, 76 Federal St., New London.

— 7:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 78 Washington St., Norwich.

— 7-8 p.m., Union Baptist Church Annex, 119 High St., Mystic.

— 7-8 p.m., St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Road (Rt. 154)., Old Saybrook; (860) 322-4297.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20

— 9:30 a.m.-noon, East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; bring supplies; free; call to register (860) 739-5859.

— 12:30-2:30 p.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; bring colored pencils; free; stop by to register (860) 739-5859.

— East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; Tuesday: 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also Friday; 24 classes for $36; $41 nonresidents; stop by to register or to try out the class; (860) 739-5859.

— 5:30 p.m., Pathways, 410 Salem Turnpike, Bozrah; weigh in and meeting; first meeting is free.

— 10:30-11:15 a.m., East Lyme High School, 30 Chesterfield Road; also Thursday; 24 classes for $24; $29 nonresidents; call to register (860) 739-5859.

— 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road; call (860) 326-9773 or email: jesse.james@prodigy.net.

— 27 Chase St.; 9 a.m., shopping at McQuade's; 9:15-10:15 a.m., strength & balance; 10:15-11:15 a.m., Zumba lite; 11:30 a.m., lunch; noon-1:30 p.m., bingo; (860) 599-3285.

— 12 Van Tassell Drive, Gales Ferry; 10 a.m., bridge; 10:30 a.m., Latin line dancing; 12:30 p.m., bingo; 1 p.m., Silver Sneakers — Flex strength training; (860) 4640478.

— 6:30 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 1650 Route 12, Gales Ferry; griefrecoverymethod.com; (860) 464-7251.

— 1-2 p.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; 24 classes for $24; $29 nonresidents; call to register (860) 739-5859.

— 3-4 p.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; 14 classes for $35; $38 nonresidents; registration required (860) 739-5859.

— 9-10 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; 30 classes for $60; $65 nonresidents; stop by to register (860) 739-5859.

— 9-10 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; 24 classes for $48; $53 nonresidents; also Friday; call to register (860) 739-5859.

— 7 p.m., Niantic Community Church, 170 Pennsylvania Ave.; (860) 772-4827.

— 7:30 p.m., UConn Avery Point, 1084 Shennecossett Road, Groton; “Rum Runners of the Prohibition Era” (with rum tasting) by Bailey Pryor, Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and founder of The Real McCoy Rum; free; (860) 405-9025.

— 15 Rope Ferry Road; 8:30 a.m., cribbage; 9 a.m., strength I, open doors; 9:30 a.m., pitch games, pickleball; 10:15 a.m., strength II; 11:30 a.m., healthy stretch; 11:45 a.m., cafe lunch with $3 donation and reservation; 12:30 p.m., pinochle; 12:30 p.m., rummikub; 1 p.m., PACE; 2:15 p.m., chair yoga; (860) 444-5839.

— 10 a.m.noon, Estuary Council of Seniors Inc., 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; no fasting required; call for appointment (860)

— 2 p.m., Custom House Maritime Museum, 150 Bank St., New London; Sandy and Sidney Van Zandt give a talk and show pictures about the inspiration, design, construction and sailing of their 39 foot steel cutter Sequel from 1982-2005; (860) 4472501.

— 6:30 p.m., Preston Public Library, 389 Route 2; find out which of the eight species of owls that live in Connecticut you are most likely to see and hear near you; meet live owls and learn about their amazing adaptations during this exciting program; free; reservations required, (860) 886-1010.

— 10 a.m., Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave.; this remarkable team of ten horses returns for the 15th annual Mystic Irish Parade and will be on display at Mystic Seaport through March 26 during the week for visitors to see; (860) 4440448.

— 6-8 p.m., Waterford Public Library, 49 Rope Ferry Road; boards provided or bring your own; free; (860) 444-5805.

— 10:30 a.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road; learn how to navigate the start menu, discover the difference between Edge and Internet Explorer and how to use your new personal assistant, Cortana; bring your Windows 10 device to class; free; call to register (860) 441-6750.

— 1 p.m., Lymes Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Road; snow date is: March 21; (860) 434-1605.

— 9:30-10:30 a.m., Shop Rite of New London, 351 N. Frontage Road, New London; sponsored by the VNA of Southeastern Connecticut; open to the public; (860) 444-1111.

— 6 p.m., Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane; Dan Ringrose joins forces with Jeanne Freeman; free, registration required; (860) 434-1684.

— 120 Broad St.; 11:30 a.m., chair massages with Melissa; (860) 447-5232.

— 7 p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road; Tricia McAvoy will talk about her book, “One Woman's Path to Health,” based on her personal journey to health and happiness after being diagnosed with two debilitating autoimmune diseases; free; (860) 441-6750.

— 6 a.m., Lantern Hill, Wintechog Hill Road, North Stonington; join The Westerly Morris Men and hike to the peak of Lantern Hill at sunrise for their annual Vernal Equinox Sunrise Dance; sunrise is at 6:51 a.m.; for information on how to join their bimonthly practices, visit westerlymorrismen.org or call (860) 887-9184.

— 7:30 p.m., United Congregational Church, 9 Castle Hill Road, Pawcatuck.

— 6-7 p.m., Pendleton Health and Rehab Center, 44 Maritime Drive, Mystic; newcomer meeting.

— 7:30-8:30 p.m., St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 15 Pearl St., Mystic.

— 7:30 p.m., Old Mystic Fire District Hall, 115 Welles Road, Mystic.

— 7 p.m., St. Ann's Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road, Old Lyme.

— 7:30 p.m., Huntington Street Baptist Church, 29 Huntington St., New London.

— 10 a.m., Huntington Street Baptist Church, 29 Huntington St., New London.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21

— 1:30 p.m., Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive, Norwich; refreshments are donuts; speaker included; new members always welcome.

— 9-11 a.m., United Congregational Church, 87 Broadway, Norwich; information regarding veterans benefits and services through state and federal agencies and programs; free; (860) 908-2104.

— 10:30 a.m., Estuary Council of Seniors Inc., 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; also Friday, 9 a.m.; $8; (860) 388-1611.

— 4-5:30 p.m., Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St.; free; (860) 447-1411.

— 2-3:30 p.m., Noank Firehouse, 10 Ward Ave., Groton; (860) 989-1642.

— 5-8 p.m., Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich; all ages and skill levels; free; (860) 889-2365.

— 12 Van Tassell Drive, Gales Ferry; 9:30 a.m., chorus; noon, senior club luncheon; 2 p.m., yoga; 1-3 p.m., knitting & crocheting group; (860) 464-0478.

— Estuary Council of Seniors, 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; $20-$30; call for appointment (860) 510-1376.

— 27 Chase St.; 9-10 a.m., Zumba lite for seniors; 11:30 a.m., lunch; noon1:30 p.m., bingo; 2:15-3:15 p.m., tai chi; (860) 599-3285.

— 1 p.m., Raymond Library, 832 Raymond Hill Road, Oakdale; (860) 848-9943.

— 10-11:30 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; free; (860) 739-5859.

— 6-8:30 p.m., Three Rivers Community College, 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich; Room C101; Greg Bugbee and Abigail Wiegand, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, “Invasive Aquatic Plants found in CT Lakes”; free; (860) 215-9443 or (860) 215-9016.

— 6 p.m., Cragin Memorial Library, 8 Linwood Ave., Colchester; “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”; free and open to the public; (860) 537-5752.

— 5-6 p.m., Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road; also Wed.; 8-weeks for $60; (860) 4416785.

— 10-11:30 a.m., Groton Senior Center, 52 Newtown Road; The Groton Senior Center program has openings; we perform here at the center each Wed. and at adult day centers, nursing facilities and schools; ages 55+; register online at www.grotonrec.com; (860) 441-6623.

— 7-8:30 p.m., Dime Bank, 290 Salem Turnpike, Norwich; email: vppr-4779255@toastmastersclubs.org.

— 6:30 p.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; all ages; (860) 767-8540 or (860) 434-8183.

— noon-2 p.m., C.B. Jennings Dual Language School, 50 Mercer St., New London; for parents and families of New London County interested in applying to our school; to schedule an appointment contact Gloria Sotomayor, Operations Manager at (860) 447-6050.

— 10:45 a.m., Estuary Council of Seniors Inc., 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; $5; ages 50 plus; (860) 388-1611.