Preston Epps (b. 1931,
Oakland, California) is 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.
[Biography, Allmusic.com] 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.
[Billboard Singles, Allmusic.com] 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.][Billboard, Allmusic.com] 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.
