Preston Epps (Mangum, Oklahoma, U.S., July 19, 1930 - May 9, 2019) was an A… Read Full Bio ↴Preston Epps (Mangum, Oklahoma, U.S., July 19, 1930 - May 9, 2019) was an American percussionist.
Epps learned to play percussion instruments, including the bongos, while he was stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War. After his tour of duty he settled in Southern California, playing in coffee shops and working odd jobs. Arthur Laboe, a local disc jockey, signed him to Original Sound Records, which released his 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 recorded "Bongo Rock" and released it as a single.
Epps continued playing in clubs in Southern California into the 1990s.
Preston Epps died in May 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Discography with Billboard chart peak positions
Singles
Bongo Rock (#14)/Bongo Party—Original Sound 4 -- 1959
Bongo Bongo Bongo (#78)/Hully Gully Bongo—Original Sound 9 -- 1960
Bongo Shuffle/Bongo In The Congo—Original Sound 14—1960
Blue Bongo/Bongola—Top Rank 2067—1960
Bongo Hop/Caravan—Top Rank 2091—1960
Bongo Boogie/Flamenco Bongo—Majesty 1300—1960
Bongo Rocket/Jungle Drums—Original Sound 17—1961
Rockin' In The Congo/Sing Donna Go—Embassy 203—1961
Mister Bongos/B'wana Bongos—Donna 1367—1962
Bongo Express/Flamenco Bongo—Admiral 901—1963
Bongo Rock '65/Bongo Waltz—Polo 218—1965
Afro Mania/Love Is The Only Good Thing—Jo Jo 106—1969
Albums
Bongo Bongo Bongo (#35) -- Original Sound LPM-5002 (Mono)/LPS-8851 (Stereo) -- 1960
Bongola—Top Rank RM-349 (Mono)/RS-349 (Stereo) -- 1961
Surfin' Bongos—Original Sound LPM-5009/LPS-8872—1963
Epps learned to play percussion instruments, including the bongos, while he was stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War. After his tour of duty he settled in Southern California, playing in coffee shops and working odd jobs. Arthur Laboe, a local disc jockey, signed him to Original Sound Records, which released his 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 recorded "Bongo Rock" and released it as a single.
Epps continued playing in clubs in Southern California into the 1990s.
Preston Epps died in May 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Discography with Billboard chart peak positions
Singles
Bongo Rock (#14)/Bongo Party—Original Sound 4 -- 1959
Bongo Bongo Bongo (#78)/Hully Gully Bongo—Original Sound 9 -- 1960
Bongo Shuffle/Bongo In The Congo—Original Sound 14—1960
Blue Bongo/Bongola—Top Rank 2067—1960
Bongo Hop/Caravan—Top Rank 2091—1960
Bongo Boogie/Flamenco Bongo—Majesty 1300—1960
Bongo Rocket/Jungle Drums—Original Sound 17—1961
Rockin' In The Congo/Sing Donna Go—Embassy 203—1961
Mister Bongos/B'wana Bongos—Donna 1367—1962
Bongo Express/Flamenco Bongo—Admiral 901—1963
Bongo Rock '65/Bongo Waltz—Polo 218—1965
Afro Mania/Love Is The Only Good Thing—Jo Jo 106—1969
Albums
Bongo Bongo Bongo (#35) -- Original Sound LPM-5002 (Mono)/LPS-8851 (Stereo) -- 1960
Bongola—Top Rank RM-349 (Mono)/RS-349 (Stereo) -- 1961
Surfin' Bongos—Original Sound LPM-5009/LPS-8872—1963
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it
U.N. Owen
I've always loved hearing Mr. Epps doing this - it's mind-boggling how FAST he gets up to. Truly an amazing player, an amazing song. To the grandson of Mr. Epps; please wish him all the best, and thank him for this wonderful treat!
Alan Tompkins
Always loved percussion and Preston Epps is first class. I think this was the only hit which swept the nation back in '59 in which I entered 10th grade that September.
Josh Zook
Yes, this indeed was the inspiration for "Wipe Out". I just read that in a music history book and looked up this song to hear it. The similarities are pretty clear.
Datz Ohboy
This is my Grandad, "Mr Bongo Rock" thank you everybody for the love.
kathy powels
Need to find someone that can mix.
kathy powels
Thanks for diggin my Dad. He is still working at the young age 83.
MichaelRescigno
kathy powels Your dad played on a record my band "Raz" recorded about 12-14 years ago. He's a great guy who I first met when I moved to LA from N.J. Preston was living in NoHo on Fulcher with Ron McCarthy
kathy powels
Wow really! Wonder if he remembers MichaelRescigno I'll make sure I share your message.
Albert Mag that's because my dad was the original Bongo Rock. Incredible copied.
MichaelRescigno
Please tTell him Hutch & I would like to see him after the holidays
Robert Brzozowski
Happy and catchy tune. Reminds me of my childhood days. Still brings joy and good vibrations