The Ventures’ Guitarist Don Wilson Passes Away At 88

Don Wilson, who was a founding member of the pioneering surf rock group The Ventures, has passed away. He was 88 years of age at the time of his passing.

While speaking to PEOPLE, the rhythm guitarist’s family stated that he passed peacefully of natural causes Saturday morning in Tacoma, Wash. It was said he had his four children by his side at the time.

Our dad was an amazing rhythm guitar player who touched people all over world with his band, The Ventures,” his son Tim said in a statement. “He will have his place in history forever and was much loved and appreciated. He will be missed.”

Born Feb. 10, 1933, in Tacoma, Wilson founded The Ventures with his friend Bob Bogle in 1958. The Ventures had 14 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 100 million records. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

The group’s influence on music cannot be understated as groups such as The Beatles, Kiss and more. Their songs featured in a lot of films as well.

We would like to offer our deepest condolences to Don Wilson’s family and friends during this sad time.