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Bongo Rock

This article is about the song. For the album, see Bongo Rock (album).

"Bongo Rock" is a rock and roll instrumental recorded by Preston Epps, written by Epps and Arthur Egnoian.[1] Released as a single in 1959, it charted #14 Pop in the United States,[2] and #4 in Canada.[3] It was included in Epps' 1960 album Bongo Bongo Bongo.[4]

"Bongo Rock"
Single by Preston Epps
from the album Bongo Bongo Bongo
B-side"Bongo Party"
ReleasedApril 1959 (1959-04)
GenreInstrumental rock
Length2:00
LabelOriginal Sound
4
Songwriter(s)

The Surfaris' 1963 hit single "Wipe Out" was based on this song.[5]

Track listing

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7-inch single

Side A
  1. "Bongo Rock" (Preston Epps, Arthur Egnoian) – 2:00
Side B
  1. "Bongo Party" (Egnoian) – 2:02

Charts

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Chart (1959) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 14

Incredible Bongo Band version

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"Bongo Rock"
Single by Incredible Bongo Band
from the album Bongo Rock
B-side"Bongolia"
Released1973 (1973)
Length2:36
LabelPride
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Michael Viner
Incredible Bongo Band singles chronology
"Bongo Rock"
(1973) 		"Let There Be Drums"
(1973)

Incredible Bongo Band recorded a cover version of "Bongo Rock", which charted #57 in the United States.[7] It was included in the band's 1973 album Bongo Rock under the title "Bongo Rock '73".[8] DJ Kool Herc used it in his sets.[9] It gained significant popularity in early hip hop circles as a breakbeat.[9]

The song reached #20 on Canadian charts, partly because the producers registered it as Canadian content with MAPL certification.[10] 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.[11] It reached #25 on the Canadian AC charts.[12]

Track listing

edit

7-inch single

Side A
  1. "Bongo Rock" (Preston Epps, Arthur Egnoian) – 2:36
Side B
  1. "Bongolia" (Perry Botkin Jr.) – 2:14

Charts

edit
Chart (1973) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 57

References

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  1. ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "Preston Epps". AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  2. ^ Koda, Cub (1994). Rock Instrumental Classics Volume 1: The Fifties (p. 14) [CD booklet]. Los Angeles: Rhino Records.
  3. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - June 29, 1959". CHUM Tribute Site.
  4. ^ Wilds, Tony. "Bongo Bongo Bongo - Preston Epps". AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  5. ^ Doerschuk, Andy; Schnale, Wally (January 16, 2013). "A Look Back At The Heyday Of Rock Drum Solos". Drum Magazine. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  6. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 (Week of June 29, 1959)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100 (Week of August 25, 1973)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "Release: Bongo Rock - Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band / Incredible Bongo Band (CD - Toshiba EMI #TOCP-64196)". AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Laurence, Rebecca (August 11, 2023). "Hip-hop 50: The party that started hip-hop". BBC. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  10. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - September 1, 1973" (PDF). Collections Canada.
  11. ^ Sample This (2012 film), directed by Dan Forrer, GoDigital.
  12. ^ "RPM Top 100 AC - September 15, 1973" (PDF). Collections Canada.
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