There are all kinds of examples of artists' works that have survived well beyond the generation in which they were created. 

I have already had several reality checks when trying to discuss my love of the works of my favorite band. 

WHO???   

I am increasingly having to explain that The Ventures is a band that has remained active, and has maintained a loyal following since their rocket-ride to fame in the early 60's.  I once heard a joke about a kid asking his dad if he knew of a fellow by the name of Paul McCartney who used to play in a band called "Wings"...   Like it or not, The Ventures do not have the grip on the media in the music world they once had...have they made enough of an impression to last indefinitely...beyond our time on this planet?

Your opinions...

Yes, but guitar instrumental music will probably be like old blues, jazz, folk music etc....it will linger on as a cult interest for a small number of folks until it is 'discovered' and revived by a younger generation which might make it popular again.  (The internet will also ensure folks with common interests like the Ventures, Shadows etc can meet and discuss and keep the music style alive)

It's probably never going to be popular again soon in the mainstream because there are no vocalist(s) involved and vocalists are essential in popular music.

Even during eras when instrumental music was popular (swing bands for example) there was always vocalists singing songs as well as musicians playing tunes...

What I think was unique when our heroes topped the charts (i.e. from about 1958- 1963) was that popular music then was far more varied and of interest to a wider age range, not just young people.  Have a look at the charts back then!  There was 'adult'music (MOR) in the charts as well as rock'n' roll, folk, jazz, country, film and TV themes, r'n'b , even comedy and novelty records etc...

I've mentioned this before. The Sons of the Pioneers have performed continuously since they were formed in 1934, and continue to tour today. They survived the end of variety radio, singing-cowboy Saturday Matinee movies, the loss of every founding member, and generations of replacements. They still do shows on occasion with the son and grandson of Roy Rogers, Dusty (Roy Rogers, Jr.) and Dustin.

I believe The Ventures will endure for the same reason The Sons of the Pioneers endure. They will continue to play great and timeless music that will find new fans even through the generations, no matter who is in them.

Walt

As a Brit/Aussie, I never saw the Lawrence Welk TV show back then, but I've greatly enjoyed seeing the YouTube clips of Buddy Merrill and Neil LeVang playing guitar instrumentals with the band...all those great pure real electric guitar sounds with no fuzz effects garbaging up the actual guitar sound...

(Happily, when I go into a guitar shop these days and try out a guitar, being an old guy, the shop staff always automatically plug me into the CLEAN channel!)

The amount of incredible old music audio and/or film footage on YouTube always amazes me...where does it all come from?  Thank goodness some folk recorded, copied or kept the film or videotape or whatever!  And thanks to those folk for uploading it so that we can all enjoy those great clips and amazing music.

This is a great topic & in conjunction with this-
not sure 'you guys' don't already do this but:

As much as possible, keep wearing those Venture
tees whenever & wherever possible.   Not only are
we promoting the band & their music, the side chats
are often noteworthy & informative.   Just in the last few
weeks, I've been stopped several times by other Ventures
fans simply 'cause they saw my tee with the BLAZING LOGO!

Howdy, O.F.....du u memba how much u paid 4 it?
Might be worthit to Tom to have is own made and cut out the middleman.  He could have some made (mayb 2 sizes L and XL) that promote the fest.  The Ventures on the back and a Ventures Fanfest Logo on the front?

Here's some links I found....du hav any uf theeze?

http://theventures.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9

http://theventures.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10

http://theventures.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=108

Yeah, my Ventures' T is looking pretty worn...can't even see Nokie's autograph anymore.  I'm into long-sleeve T's if anybody's ordering...one round (which I won!) with skin cancer's more than enough!