Hawaii Five-O
The Ventures, 1969, from Hawaii Five-O. Solo by Nokie Edwards.
The Ventures bring their twangy guitar to a TV theme, giving the band a late top-ten hit.
Hawaii Five-O gave the Ventures a late hit, and their version of the TV theme shows how well their guitar sound translated to new material. Nokie Edwards' lead carries the bold, brassy melody with a bright, twangy tone, while the band adds drive and urgency beneath him. The arrangement keeps the dramatic feel of the original theme but gives it a rock-band punch. It introduced the Ventures to a new audience years after their surf heyday. Listen for the way the guitar mimics the horn lines of the original theme, and notice how the band's tight rhythm section keeps the tune moving at a fast, exciting pace from start to finish.
Hawaii Five-O by The Ventures is featured in our Surf (#25) list. The solo is played by Nokie Edwards and the song was released in 1969.
In our lists
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on Hawaii Five-O?
Nokie Edwards played the solo on The Ventures's Hawaii Five-O (1969).