"Bongo Rock" is a rock and roll instrumental recorded by Preston Epps, written by Epps and Arthur Egnoian. Released as a single in 1959, it charted #14 Pop in the United States, and #4 in Canada. It was included in Epps' 1960 album Bongo Bongo Bongo.
The Surfaris' 1963 hit single "Wipe Out" was based on this song.
7-inch single
Incredible Bongo Band recorded a cover version of "Bongo Rock", which charted #57 in the United States. It was included in the band's 1973 album Bongo Rock under the title "Bongo Rock '73". DJ Kool Herc used it in his sets. It gained significant popularity in early hip hop circles as a breakbeat.
The song reached #20 on Canadian charts, partly because the producers registered it as Canadian content with MAPL certification. 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. It reached #25 on the Canadian AC charts.
7-inch single