Bongo Rock
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| "Bongo Rock" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Preston Epps | |
| from the album Bongo Bongo Bongo | |
| B-side | "Bongo Party" |
| Released | April 1959 |
| Genre | Instrumental rock |
| Length | 2:00 |
| Label | Original Sound 4 |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
"Bongo Rock" is a rock and roll instrumental written and recorded by Preston Epps. Released as a single in 1959, it charted #14 Pop in the United States[1] and #4 in Canada.[2] In 1973 the Incredible Bongo Band recorded a cover version of "Bongo Rock" under the title "Bongo Rock '73" which became a minor hit. The Incredible Bongo Band version of the tune gained significant popularity in early hip hop circles as a breakbeat. Pioneering DJ Kool Herc used it frequently in his sets. It was issued in the Ultimate Breaks and Beats compilation series and has been extensively sampled by pop and hip hop producers.
The song reached #20 on Canadian charts, partly because the producers registered it as Canadian content with MAPL certification.[3] 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.[4]
The Surfaris' 1963 hit single "Wipe Out" was based on this song.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ Koda, Cub (1994). Rock Instrumental Classics Volume 1: The Fifties (p. 14) [CD booklet]. Los Angeles: Rhino Records.
- ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - June 29, 1959".
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - September 1, 1973" (PDF).
- ^ Sample This (2012 film), directed by Dan Forrer, GoDigital.
- ^ Andy Doerschuk; Wally Schnale (January 16, 2013). "A Look Back At The Heyday Of Rock Drum Solos". Drum Magazine. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
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