The instrumental rock group had 28 albums on the Billboard 200 and 14 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, led by their version of Chet Atkins ”Walk, Don’t Run,” which reached number 2 in 1960 (although an update climbed to number 8 in 1964) and the TV theme to ”Hawaii Five-O,” which got to number 4 in 1969.
A statement on The Ventures website says Edwards helped shape the early Ventures’ sound and the success of their career.
”He was an innovator and one of the greats on guitar, so much so that he influenced many young plays over the course of his career.”
The group created the ”surf music” sound influencing the likes of the Beach Boys.
The Ventures were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.