We are very pleased and excited to announce that The Ventures are scheduled once again to tour Japan this coming summer, 2018. At this point, the full tour schedule is not set, although there are 30 shows planned, probably more. The tour will begin in mid-July and run through early-mid September – more or less the same time period as normal.

Gerry has decided that, given the unfortunate health issues he had last summer, he will not be touring with the group this year and, in fact, he will probably retire from touring altogether. His connection with The Ventures is not over of course, after 50 years being with them for touring and recordings. He has asked me to thank the fans for their loyalty and support all these years and hopes that he will see many of you again at some point in the future, one way or another.

The line-up for The Ventures Japan 2018 will be Leon Taylor (drums), Bob Spalding (lead), Ian Spalding (rhythm), Lucas Griffin (bass). Fans are already aware that this was the line-up for the last few concerts of the Japan 2017 tour, after Gerry became ill – and that Lucas came from the US to Japan at a moment’s notice and jumped in to enable The Ventures to finish the tour. From the concerts I attended during that time, I could see that Japanese fans were very welcoming and supportive: he enjoyed his “baptism of fire” – his initiation into the world of “The Ventures in Japan” and, along with everyone else in the group, he is looking forward to returning this coming summer.