Preston Epps - Bongo rock

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Description

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.