1998, March 1st. Walk Don't Run with General George Babbitt.

The Ventures with The United States Air force Band and George Babbitt
Very first drummer with Walk Don't Run. after 38 years reunion.
1959.Don .26. Bob.25.Nokie.24. George 17. you know why.his under age for nightclub perfomance.
彼ジョウジ　バビットは１７歳で　Ｗａｌｋ　Ｄｏｎ'ｔ　Ｒｕｎの最初の
ドラマ－です。１７歳だからバーなどに入れなくてそれで別の方向に歩いたといわれます。３８年ぶりの再会。
The Ventures are Bob Bogle..Don Wilson.Gerry McGee. Leon Taylor.

[@TheJsalling]

All the crybabies making their negative comments will never accomplish what George Babbit has. He has achieved the highest rank in the Air Force, yet still maintains his talent, ability and desire to play drums with the band he started out with. Most of the whiners couldn't even dust this man's shoes off.

[@kilogram064]

This Marine would be honored to shine General Babbitt's shoes. Awesome talent. 😮😮😮

[@markglabinski526]

Great comment. Perhaps the kids should look at this and realize that you can be anything you set your mind to.

[@tomcornejo9416]

It was an honor to to serve under him, he was my Squadron Commander , when I was stationed at Bitburg Air Base 1979-1981 . ( he was a Lt. Col. , back then. A great man ! )

[@TomSkinner]

Everyone in the comments has been appreciative. It appears that you're the only whiner here.

[@BigBri550]

George T Babbit Jr is the only original Ventures member still with us today.

[@DIDYOUSEETHAT172]

I served in the special forces. Civilians sometimes forget soldiers are still human, it seems soldiers forget the brass heads are as well. This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen on a stage. 😁👍⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@fenderbassix]

I'm a Brit and I was there! After this show at the Constitution Hall in DC I engaged with George and interviewed him for a UK magazine: Ventures Resurgence. He's real gent and deserved his career success and his fame as a drummer.

[@395724]

This is fantastic! Not only does it sound great, but it looks like the General is having a wonderful time behind those drums. Bravo!

[@wilhard45]

That was so cool. I can imagine all of those young, enlisted Air Force bandmembers were dropping their jaws when a four star general sits down to the trap set.

[@sideslidertoo]

What a smile on General Babbitt's face, It's great to watch someone have the chance to step back in again and experience the joy of their youth! He's still a good drummer too.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Yeah I noticed she hadn't really missed a beat on those drums no pun intended. If you look at a salad bar in four stars he was one hell of an officer to.

[@user-ht8vl7ld2y]

ジョージバビット将軍の、嬉しそうな表情が印象的ですね。

[@ralphsrec]

Wow, The General was "spot on", never missed a beat. He's still got it!

[@8a41jt]

You can always tell a man's first love by his face. I just saw it here with Gen. Babbitt; it's always an awesome experience. Even though it was 22 years ago, the joy of this moment lives on forever, immortalized in video. Thank you!

[@JR-zv6qm]

This is one of the coolest things I've seen. The smile on the Generals face is priceless.

[@dntlss]

General got transported literally almost 40 years back to his younger and fun days,sad thing about this video is most of the original Venture guys with the exception of General Babbitt are gone,man those guys could play.

[@jerrymcmahan3456]

Gen Babbitt has a lot of talent as a drummer, and he certainly did okay in the USAF. Makes all of us proud to be Airmen. Way to go, General!

[@trebelclef]

Love how happy he is playing drums!!

[@metalox88]

trebelclef absolutely

[@paulcadogan7153]

General Babbitt never lost it. Very cool! This is why rock and roll will never die.

[@Bobemakk]

Gen. Babbitt, thanks for your service to the US and the music industry as well.

[@jackdozier4269]

General Babbitt and I were in the same graduate program in Dayton. He was a Captain then. Don't recall him ever letting on that he played with the Ventures.

[@Ullarsskald1989]

I'm smiling so hard my cheeks hurt, both as an Air Force veteran and as a fan of the Ventures.

[@thnd3rb1rd]

How many 4-star Generals can say they played drums for the Ventures when they were a kid. I am in awe! He is clearly having an absolute ball!

[@gikaradi8793]

Αnd how many drummers made it up to 4star general of the Air Force also !!

[@truthsmiles]

At least one, apparently.

[@patrickvolk7031]

Crazy part is they had to let him go because, being 17, he was too young to get into the clubs... So they had to get an older drummer.

[@ksjeg594]

Kinda similar history with Nirvana's ex-guitarist Jason Everman, though he's not a general, but a green beret and ranger

[@rhight]

Loved the expressions on the faces of the AF personnel on stage. Obvious that they loved it! A four-star general with some chops--only in America!

[@thomastarwater2989]

You can tell that General George Babbitt is having the time of his life, playing drums with the Ventures, and he’s still alive in 2024. Yes. This was a fantastic performance, and it was truly outstanding. Name one other rock band that has a four-star Air Force general in the lineup. You can’t. Don’t even try. This was once in a lifetime, and it was great!

[@P47ROCKS]

Isn't this the coolest thing EVER? I love it.

[@peterzabriskie]

It is Veterans Day today and we gave a son to the USAF....we could not be prouder to hear General Babbit playing a song we grew up and romanced to. Thank you Ventures.

[@Mullay2]

The general never misses a beat. This song by the Ventures and "Pipeline" by the Chantay's are still two of my beach music instrumental favorites.

[@joeasmythe]

The good old days, when America was a proud nation.

[@GaryCrofthemiboso]

As a teen during the '60's, the Ventures were my favorite instrumental pop group. I was fortunate to see them in concert at the Paramount Theatre in Paris in 1963. The French audience was undemonstrative, but my American classmates and I (in Paris on our senior class trip) started clapping rhythmically which catalyzed the entire audience to begin applauding in unison. A very memorable concert indeed.

[@academyofshem]

The French were just lost.

[@kentclark6420]

@@academyofshem The French have quite a culture of their own, though.

[@academyofshem]

@@kentclark6420 This isn't about cheese-making. This is about rock and roll.

[@nbanolfkid]

The Ventures helped inspire me and thousand of other kids to learn to play guitar. They were a great band! And of course I learned Walk Don't Run as one of my first songs.

[@zurina9512]

May 2023.....the only time you can see a 4 star General playing on the drums with the Ventures. and in uniform, too.! ❤😀🎉👏

[@sradie]

I loved these guys as a kid. Played their records and learned guitar playing, trying to play, their music. Someone sent me a link to this today and I got it in my e-mail just after I had finished playing it minutes before. The Ventures were great in their day and still play great today.

[@ArtrAveHurley]

This was great~! i loved it. My son also was a 17 yr ol drummer and went into the Military and became a Staff Sargent - while keeping up with the drums & left the Army after 9.5 yrs - still drums, still patriotic - But this was so awesome to see a young drummer rise and become a general while still remembering where he came from and still able to drum 38 yrs later~!

[@tripacer8259]

CLASS, you either have it or you don't. These guys have it!

[@nikkitytom]

Just charming ..... I love it. General Babbitt in his full uniform ... spotlighted as he jams with his old friends.

[@jimmyb1499]

Anyone who grew up in the early 60's and learned guitar, the Ventures were "Guitar gods "... our heros. Great video !... Thanks for posting.

[@thnd3rb1rd]

well, if the air force gig doesn't work out, at least he has something to fall back on. Absolutely the coolest thing I have every seen!

[@thomasschoon8407]

Thund3rb1rd🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@RobertWPaine]

Heh heh heh! 🤣

[@waterbird91]

This is a great video. First time I ever heard a 4 star general play any instrument.THAT'S RARE. But Gen. George did a GREAT job. THUMBS UP !!!!!!!!

[@rbbrown2106]

Nokie Edwards 5/9/35 - 3/12/18 RIP Brother

[@memom010605]

I thank Gen. George Babbitt for this song, and for his time in the Air Force!!

[@lotsabears]

What a NEAT story!! Yay for the General!! :)

[@johncarrara9784]

Amazing video! Probably the coolest I've ever seen. As a veteran, I have the greatest respect for General Babbitt. It's amazing to think that we were in the military at the same time although I only did my 2 years and got out. To become a general is an amazing accomplishment and this many truly rose to the top. Four stars, he's the coolest general ever and from my generation !

[@lenahc1987]

Absolutely so special, I love the Ventures...what a magnificent insight into a bit of rock n' roll trivia...the original drummer, now known as General Babbitt!!!

[@richardfroud8970]

He certainly looked to be enjoying the moment. Shows how important music is🎸🎸🎸

[@G8GT364CI]

Look at the smile on the general's face, he loves it! Perfect time for this tune, everyone plays it too fast.

[@ansias77]

Love to see that mr Babbitt hadn't lost a bit of good taste, technique on his cool drum licks and perfect timing. Awesome performance

[@journeyhome6046]

The general digs surf music - awesome

[@cherylclair]

And you can tell he's really enjoying himself too. Rock on General Babbit.

[@shazam6274]

Never too old to learn something new! I first bought a Ventures record as a teen in the early 60s. Have over 50 albums, including 4 signed from a corporate gig they did in AZ. Have solo albums from Nokie, Mel, and Don, bought records in Japan, DVDs, Hats and T-shirts, etc., etc. I thought I knew all about them, but here in 2019, at nearly 69, I learned about George! Thank you Weedsan and Tom in Japan for providing us all more enjoyment from the Ventures!

[@2egypt]

He made the right choice....the Air Force,and now he's come back for a reunion where it all started. General, you've accomplished a lot. Thank you for your service, and thank you to Weedsan21 for posting this...otherwise I would never know about it.

[@joeyjamison5772]

When they say the US Air Force ROCKS, they mean it!

[@christopherfranklin4760]

I used to work with General Babbitt when he was a Colonel in the Air Force Logistics and Engineering Directorate in the Pentagon in the mid 80's. I don't believe anyone knew what he had done as a teenager. I did not find out until he did this concert years later. And you will probably never see a four star general play drums again. George is one of the nicest, most personable guys I ever met in my 40 year DOD career.

[@sargentwaag1483]

Saw you comment on the other Ventures vid and had to check it out. Thanks.

[@harrydecrescenzo3327]

Christopher Franklin @

[@JaymeVanAuken]

Very interesting piece of history

[@WootTootZoot]

I wonder how a maintenance officer got a DFC ?

[@thomasschoon8407]

Sooooooooo freakin' cool in Sooooooooo many ways😊😲✌🖖🤙👍👏🇺🇸 And General Sir, thank you so much for your years protecting this country and for entertaining us with such great music

[@MIKE-zt5yu]

GREATEST INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF ALL TIME WITHOUT A DOUBT

[@mikejones9080]

I started playing Ventures stuff in the early 60s, and loved all their music. To say they were a strong influence in my guitar playing would be an understatement.

[@lylejohnson7591]

A salute to you sir from an AF veteran.

[@RadioResearcher]

I was at this concert in DC in 1998 and, yes, it was cool to see the 4-star walk out and pick up those sticks. I believe he was commanding general of the Air Force Materiel Command at Wright Patterson AFB at the time.

[@jad43701]

He was.

[@michaelandcolinspop]

General Babbitt was a class act. I got to meet him while stationed at Wright-Patt as a young officer. The general who succeeded him, Lester Lyles, was equally outstanding. Neither of them ever forgot a name or a face. True gentlemen and phenomenal leaders, both.

[@MeteorMega]

I used to dance to them at the Spanish Castle and the ballroom in Tacoma. They were great!

[@quickdeuce]

I'm betting he was as proud to be on that stage with his buddy, playing that song as he was when they pinned his first STAR on his shoulders.

[@ThomasDeLello]

The General is an excellent drummer...!

[@miguelitopinero198]

Thomas De Lello just

[@dconsmack]

George Babbitt sounded great and I really liked his graciousness at the end of the video.

[@Konawae62]

General still got it. One of my favorite groups growing up.

[@user-ht8vl7ld2y]

一時的にせよベンチャーズのメンバーとして、ドラムを担当していたとは思いませんでした。空軍大将がドラムをやってる時の表情は、青春時代の嬉しそうな顔ですね。

[@bstaneland]

Thank you for your service.

[@donald91940]

growing up in Tacoma, I remember them well

[@Brassardois]

Thats a real great video of George Babbitt, the very first Ventures drummer. Congradulations George

[@truttman]

He's good. Impressed. He hasn't lost a bit.

[@daved4512]

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it.

[@CYBERVISIONSdotCom]

Amazing....someone in the Air Force that can actually multitask and be good at it. He clearly must’ve kept up drumming over the years in his basement as a good stress relief; the dude still rocks.

[@peterburi2727]

Air Force vet here. Gen. Babbitt is legendary.

[@narta11]

I’m retired USAF (Res) and have played guitar in Surf bands since 2001. I would have loved to seen this live. I think it’s safe to say this General invented the Surf drum beat at 17.

[@slywlf54]

Awesome! All that he went on to accomplish, but not to 'big' to rock on with his old buddies! Excellent! ;-)

[@emamadra3472]

the most beautiful smile

[@XrayxRich]

I was 12 and they were the best on the radio. AM no FM back then.

[@user-om9dj4bz2f]

これぞROCK-N’-ROLL！ ジョージ・バビット将軍の全ての“部下たち”も素晴らしく喜んだ事でしょう！！。 ベンチャーズ大好き！日本から尊敬と愛を込めて。

[@saxguy1]

This is OUTSTANDING!! The General ROCKS!!

[@robertm52r]

SO cool go GENERAL and LONG LIVE THE VENTURES!!!

[@festivelady826]

The only man that is more attractive to a woman than a drummer in a band is a man in uniform. You, sir, are BOTH!! Rock on, General! Thanks for your military service to our country, and for giving us so many hours of listening pleasure!

[@kennithtubbs6470]

This is what it's all about we will always love them

[@GarySanOly]

I had the honor of meeting General Babbitt at Don Wilson's 80th Birthday party in Seattle. General Babbitt told me when he first heard WDR on the radio while attending the University of Washington he was devastated that he had left the group. Well I'd say he made a proper choice and made it in his own right too. I've never seen a four star general play the drums either, really cool and didn't miss a beat.

[@bpabustan]

General George has nothing to regret about. He served his country and became a very respected Air Force soldier. (I am not an American by the way) It is just as cool as being a rock musician. It was not meant to be either as he was too young to play bars and clubs when The Ventures was starting out.

[@rhight]

Oh, gee...he missed the chance to be a rock star and had to settle for being a general??? Great story!

[@Nick-wn1xw]

He had no choice. He was too young to play in some of the venues the band was playing in. Like bars, etc.

[@treeguyp]

Thank you for your service General Babbitt ...

[@richiegeesr52]

Congratulations to General George Babbitt! Great song that brings back memories.... Back in the 60's, every guitar player, including myself, played "Walk Don't Run"!

[@kb6kgx]

I shared this video with a friend of mine who lived down the street while we were kids. He also became a General in the USAF. I asked if he knew Babbit. He said that he "knew of him, but did not work close with him." Another friend of mine, from high school, is the son of Bob Bogle, the group's founder and bass player, however in this video clip, he's playing the lead guitar on "Walk, Don't Run". My friend (Bogle's son) told me that there was another drummer after Babbit, his name was Howard Johnson, but did not last very long. I always thought that Mel Taylor was the original drummer. THIS is very cool watching this guy play. Not many Generals can do this.

[@bstaneland]

Although these songs are not from my generation, they've always invoked to me a sense of fun in the sun, convertibles and bikinis. Must have been a good era.

[@amhabz]

I knew the General long before he was a general. He was at RAF Alconbury when I was at RAF Upper Heyford, but both places were Tac Recon Wings. So we did a lot of things together

[@amhabz]

Maureen Emmanuel Hi there, sent friend request Maureen!

[@jonweiss1358]

Wow! I’m a Ventures Fan. Amazing Drummer! And Band. Jonny Weiss “Highway to America.” 🎶

[@TheMaryec]

He looks like he is really enjoying it. Good song.

[@janetzimmer2714]

Loved this ...brings back memories and tears to my eyes as the 60's 70' 80's was when music was real music

[@RobertWPaine]

WDR was my first favorite record. I was nine when it came out and It’s still one of my top favorites. Interesting to me that as an Air Force brat, after being active duty Army and then Army Guard, I transferred to the Air Guard. Hope to meet the General one day.

[@chrisst8922]

I love the way he came out in uniform and did it.

[@jglee6721]

I'm a huge fan of the Ventures for decades. This is the first time I've seen this video or heard of the story. Just wonderful.

[@wtfarm1]

Awesome and then some!!!!

[@USCG.Brennan]

Wow.....very cool. I grew up in the '60s and learned to play my drum set listening and playing along to the Ventures albums in our Den. I bought most all of their albums and saw them in concert 3 times over the years! ;-)

[@boomtickyboom]

Terrific just loved it and you can tell they loved playing it. Thanks

[@SuperSklarman]

Nice to hear real people, playing real instruments...not much of that going on anymore. Fifty years from now people will still recognize and appreciate this tune. Much better to make music than war!

[@mohanmenon1300]

Superb performance General ! Took me back to my school days !

[@sunilbanerjee]

I have never tired out of this story ever.Having heard Ventures and the iconic "walk,don't run" and known it to be quite the grapes to thirsty lips,yet each time I listen to it it is like getting wet in the first rains Shivering,yes.But, not out of the chill but the frisson of excitement and pure joy. It takes me back to a time when my friends and I were just fourteen or fifteen gathering up and cycling to that movie hall called Grand,Cuttack, Orissa about a couple of miles away from home.These were usually Sunday mornings when the Cowboy movies used to be screened .We were let off that one special day by our ever protective but doting parents.You still ran the risk of being turned away because I in the group did not quite look the adult.But,well over time we knew our way around the obstructing ticket checkers to find ourselves inside most of the time.But why do I tell this banal tale ? It is because this Grand Cinema had a massive screen covered by a gorgeous and a very opulent red silken heavy screen like in old fashioned opera houses with a generous leavening of golden silk braids much like the aiguillettes that senior brass or military attaches get to wear. And it was this screen that used to lift up almost magically with the beat of this unforgettable tune of the strong guitar and impossible drums. Almost a waltz on the framed wall it was without the dancers.We used to get seated several minutes or almost half of an hour in advance so as to not miss the moment of ecstacy. This was our moment of feeling very public school when we practically had heard or known nothing more than this piece of music.We had no gramaphones or spooled corders.There was no Yuva Vani late at night strumming away English songs on the radio.Yes,it was that unforgettable "paisa wasool"moment.No serenade it was .But a secret tryst of petty thieves having snatched precious moments of mind- blowing sound. Since then the hall has closed and we have moved on to taped music sticks or favourite playlists but oh,Wow ! Even so every once in a while the tune stirs you up like them days as it pops or drifts in most silently like love or smoke.And this time to be introduced to a four-star general called George Babbit who reunites with his very famous group Ventures for whom he had played its first drums when only seventeen. Not apocryphal.It is true.So ladies and gentleman here is an Encore !🎧 🎷zindabad@sunilkumarbanerjee 26th of May 2021

[@usosamoa1065]

Awesome drumming General. You still have it!

[@honey8784]

It is bringing back some good memories......Bless them

[@davidstout6051]

This is just so cool. I remember listening to this song as a teenager. Never knew a general to be was the original drummer.

[@green461]

His drum style and sound stayed with the Ventures years after he left.... his stay with them was brief but he played a major part defining their sound. No doubt.

[@12805dcole]

Thank you for your service and love of country

[@robertherrerajr7615]

Played with the Ventures. Serves our country. How's that's a real Hero America.

[@SPPrice]

Fantastic!!!! USAF BABY

[@4cindybabe]

How cool is this? Love it! A musician never loses his talent! I know, I'm one myself.

[@alborchardt286]

I had the great opportunity and privlege of working for this fine gentleman when he was a Second Lt while assigned to the 10th FMS at RAF Alconbury, UK.(1966-1968) Some fellow airman knew that he would be a future General but few knew of his great fame as a drummer.

[@TheXLCHKid]

I haven't been a teen since the last quarter or '55, but I well remember this tune! Many thanks for posting this, and I wonder why it took me this long to find it. Super job, General! And the Ventures were a swell group.