The Ventures: Stars on Guitars

The story of the rock group, The Ventures, is extremely well told in this documentary, even though it's a relatively low-budget production. This is because it manages to have the stuff most viewers want in a flick like this. First, it has actual interviews with nearly all the members of the band. A few of these interviews were done long before the film debuted....and someone fortunately thought to record all this for posterity. Second, it features lots of inteviews with folks in the music industy and who knew the rock group...not folks waxing philosphical about folks they simply never knew (an annoying problem I have seen in some similar films). Third, it manages to infuse the film with an excitement and appreciation for the group. So, if you aren't a fan, you'll likely be checking Spotify or Amazon Music or some other service to hear more of their music. Fourth, it helps you draw connections to other groups and genres to show you how The Ventures and their music affected so many in the industry. Overall, extremely well made and never dull...this is the sort of documentary I wish they made for all rock 'n roll legends.

If you want to know how it all started with the Ventures and what the guitar driven wave of their career was like, this wonderful film by Staci Layne Wilson immerses you in the men, the woman, and the music that took the world by storm. Chock full of delicious guitar licks and fabulous interviews and recollections, Stars On Guitars takes you there and you're glad you went.

Well-done musical documentary, very entertaining as well as educational. Loved Billy Bob Thornton's take on things as well as many notable rock stars. You don't have to particularly be a Ventures fan to enjoy this film--although you might be surprised how many of your favorites where actually done by them. Highly recommended!

Stellar documentary honoring one of the most influential rock bands the world over, The Ventures. Its a breezy, toe-tapping delight jam packed with star-studded interviews, archival footage and eye popping animations. Oh and killer music of course. Don't miss it!

Don is exactly as I always imagined him to be. Witty, easy going, chatty and just so likeable.

It is obvious that The Ventures have had so much influence over so many different genres of music throughout the decades.

Listening to, and watching the expressions on people's faces while being interviewed, it is plain to see how much they thoroughly enjoy the music, the skill, the dedication put in by the band members and how well they've mastered their art-form. It's clearly not a 'craft' and most definitely an 'art' with the different ways they got the sounds out of their guitars.

They remain huge in Japan, which is fantastic, with many cities having Ventures tribute bands.

You'd have to have been living under a rock or on another planet to not know one of The Ventures classics or at the very least a few bars of some of them.

The band had quite a few line-up changes through the years, with the exception, until recently, of founding member, Don Wilson, yet managed to retain that well known sound.

This film is one I could and will watch a few times and still pick up little details here and there that I missed the first time through. It is beautifully put together and just a joy to watch.

With Don now having retired from the touring, he, amongst others, are hoping the sound, the name and the band will live on for years to come.

Shell Williams Winged Horse Productions