Preston Epps - Bongo rock

Preston Epps (b. 1931, Oakland, California) is an American percussionist.

Preston released his first single "Bongo Rock" in 1959. The tune became a hit in the U.S., reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year.
The follow-up, "Bongo Bongo Bongo", reached #78 the following year.
Original Sound released a full-length LP in 1960, which reached #35 on the Billboard 200.
However, further bongo-themed singles, including "Bongo in the Congo", "Bongo Rocket", "Bootlace Bongo", "Bongo Boogie", "Flamenco Bongo", "Mr. Bongo", and "Bongo Shuffle", did not result in any further success.

Epps reappeared in 1969 as a bongo player in the film Girl in Gold Boots. He continued on as a session musician in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1973, the Incredible Bongo Band covered "Bongo Rock" and released it as a single.

Epps continued playing in clubs in Southern California into the 1990s.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• fifties
• sixties
• seventies

[blinko656]

Don't know why you took off the the videos I sent you. It shows some people honor Mr. Epps work..

[45rpmSINGLES]

I havent taken off any linked videos ! If you have a video , link it with a video response.

[astephenp]

man you guys wonderful, this is my grandad. he still has the same bongos he made this song with.....and still plays.

thanks.

[aldiakaroofus]

Wow, I didn't know The Incredible Bongo Band's version was a remake!

[SweetJaneofGoth]

Like my grandpap says - "this is one of the greatest 45s of all time"

[rwb010109]

Have this old album and it is great..RWB

[Greatscott0420]

@astephenp your grandad! thats fantastic. Tell him he is a god to me.

[risavya]

i like the part where he plays the bongos.

[Featureman]

I met Preston Epps in 1962 at KRAM Radio in Las Vegas. He did a live show and interview at the studio. He seemed very nice.

[GregDad100]

Epps made a cameo in the 1968 film, "The Girl In Gold Boots," which was featured on the satirical TV show, "Mystery Science Theater 3000."

[Verbeke7]

@pelicanflew

It sounds similar, but the drums in "Wipe Out" were actually just a sped up version of the drummer's High School march.

[MrEddeb3]

...was in Austin, Texas the summer of 1957....a freshman in high school on vacation...UT gals and guys were dancing to this number down on the pavilion at Bull Creek! The short shorts on the gals were H-O-T! I knew then that college and college women were for me! Thank you Mr. Epps!!!

[pelicanflew]

@tempetiger  This song was covered and altered slightly by the Surfaris on their smash hit "Wipe Out." But Preston Epps was the originator.

[pelicanflew]

@tempetiger This song was covered and altered slightly by the Surfaris on their smash hit "Wipe Out." Preston epps was the originator.