Don Wilson, the band's other co-founder, told The News Tribune of Tacoma that Bogle died after becoming ill over the weekend.
The surf rock instrumental band last performed June 5 with a gig at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Bogle and Wilson formed The Vetures in 1958 with Bogle playing lead and bass and Wilson on rhythm guitar. Shortly afterwards they recruited guitarist Nokie Edwards and drummer Howie Johnson, later replaced by Mel Taylor.
The band is most famous for its 1960s hits including “Walk, Don’t Run,” “Walk, Don’t Run ’64,” “Perfidia” and the theme from “Hawaii Five-O.”
The surf rockers are especially popular in Japan. Bogle and Bogle played the country as a duo during their first tour in 1962 because the promoter couldn’t afford to pay the other band members. In 2008 The Ventures were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and hailed as "the most successful instrumental combo in rock and roll history."
The Ventures posted the following message on its Web site in memory of the band’s cofounder:
“It is with profound sadness and grief that we must inform Ventures' fans all over the world that Bob Bogle passed away on Sunday, June 14. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob's family at this terrible time, especially his beloved wife, Yumi, who has been the light of his life for so many years. The Ventures' members are completely devastated, and share the pain of this loss with all our friends and fans. As more information becomes available, it will be posted here, and we hope to set up a section on this site for messages from those who wish to post them.
“The music world has lost a true original and an innovator - may all our wonderful memories console us.”
Click here for The Ventures’ Web site.
Click here for the AP article.