Bongo Rock
{{about|the song|the album|Bongo Rock (album)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Bongo Rock
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Preston Epps
| album = Bongo Bongo Bongo
| B-side = Bongo Party
| released = {{Start date|1959|04}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Instrumental rock
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=00}}
| label = Original Sound
4
| writer = {{ubl |Preston Epps |Arthur Egnoian}}
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
"Bongo Rock" is a rock and roll instrumental recorded by Preston Epps, written by Epps and Arthur Egnoian.{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/preston-epps-mn0000357773 |title=Preston Epps |website=AllMusic |first=Andrew |last=Hamilton |access-date=September 15, 2024}} Released as a single in 1959, it charted #14 Pop in the United States,Koda, Cub (1994). Rock Instrumental Classics Volume 1: The Fifties (p. 14) [CD booklet]. Los Angeles: Rhino Records. and #4 in Canada.{{cite web|url=http://chumtribute.com/59-06-29-chart.jpg| title=CHUM Hit Parade - June 29, 1959 |website=CHUM Tribute Site |access-date=}} It was included in Epps' 1960 album Bongo Bongo Bongo.{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/bongo-bongo-bongo-mw0000851394 |title=Bongo Bongo Bongo - Preston Epps |website=AllMusic |first=Tony |last=Wilds |access-date=September 15, 2024}}
The Surfaris' 1963 hit single "Wipe Out" was based on this song.{{Cite web |first1=Andy |last1=Doerschuk |first2=Wally |last2=Schnale |title=A Look Back At The Heyday Of Rock Drum Solos |url=https://drummagazine.com/a-look-back-at-the-heyday-of-rock-drum-solos/ |website=Drum Magazine |access-date=30 August 2019 |date=January 16, 2013}}
Track listing
7-inch single
: Side A
- "Bongo Rock" (Preston Epps, Arthur Egnoian) – 2:00
: Side B
- "Bongo Party" (Egnoian) – 2:02
Charts
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" | Chart (1959) ! scope="col" | Peak |
| scope="row" | US Billboard Hot 100{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-hot-100/1959-06-29/ |title=Billboard Hot 100 (Week of June 29, 1959) |website=Billboard |access-date=September 15, 2024}}
| 14 |
|---|
Incredible Bongo Band version
{{Infobox song
| name = Bongo Rock
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Incredible Bongo Band
| album = Bongo Rock
| B-side = Bongolia
| released = {{Start date|1973}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 2:36
| label = Pride
| writer = {{hlist|Preston Epps|Arthur Egnoian}}
| producer = Michael Viner
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Let There Be Drums
| next_year = 1973
}}
Incredible Bongo Band recorded a cover version of "Bongo Rock", which charted #57 in the United States.{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1973-08-25/ |title=Billboard Hot 100 (Week of August 25, 1973) |website=Billboard |access-date=September 15, 2024}} It was included in the band's 1973 album Bongo Rock under the title "Bongo Rock '73".{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/bongo-rock-mr0000623715 |title=Release: Bongo Rock - Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band / Incredible Bongo Band (CD - Toshiba EMI #TOCP-64196) |website=AllMusic |access-date=September 15, 2024}} DJ Kool Herc used it in his sets. It gained significant popularity in early hip hop circles as a breakbeat.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20130809-the-party-where-hip-hop-was-born |title=Hip-hop 50: The party that started hip-hop |website=BBC |first=Rebecca |last=Laurence |date=August 11, 2023 |access-date=September 15, 2024}}
The song reached #20 on Canadian charts, partly because the producers registered it as Canadian content with MAPL certification.{{Cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.4870.pdf |title=RPM Top 100 Singles - September 1, 1973 |website=Collections Canada |access-date=}} This is despite the fact that the recording had been made in Los Angeles by an entirely American line-up of musicians (Ed Greene, Wilton Felder, Joe Sample, David T. Walker, Bobbye Hall, and Dean Parks). The song's MAPL certification helped push it up the charts in Canada.Sample This (2012 film), directed by Dan Forrer, GoDigital. It reached #25 on the Canadian AC charts.{{Cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.4874.pdf |title=RPM Top 100 AC - September 15, 1973 |website=Collections Canada |access-date=}}
=Track listing=
7-inch single
: Side A
- "Bongo Rock" (Preston Epps, Arthur Egnoian) – 2:36
: Side B
- "Bongolia" (Perry Botkin Jr.) – 2:14
=Charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" | Chart (1973) ! scope="col" | Peak |
| scope="row" | US Billboard Hot 100
| 57 |
|---|
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Discogs master|181137|type=single}} [Preston Epps version]
- {{Discogs master|78444|type=single}} [Incredible Bongo Band version]
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Preston Epps
Category:Incredible Bongo Band songs
{{1950s-single-stub}}