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Bongo Rock hitmaker Preston Epps dies

Bongo musician Preston Epps has died at the age of 88.
The percussionist passed away from natural causes in Los Angeles on 9 May (19), his daughter, Kathy Epps-Powels, tells The Hollywood Reporter.
After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, the Oklahoma native began his career as a musician in the 1950s, and is widely credited with incorporating bongos and conga drums into mainstream pop.
He performed on instrumental hits like 1959’s Bongo Rock, as well as Bongo Bongo Bongo, Bongo in the Congo, Bongo Rocket, and Bongo Boogie.
Epps was also featured on Earth Angel, initially recorded by doo-wop group the Penguins in 1954, and shared the stage with the late Maya Angelou, as well as artists like Ray Charles, Little Richard, Sam Cooke, and Jackie Wilson.
He also appeared on the bongos in films such as Calypso Heat Wave in 1957, and Girl in Gold Boots in 1968, and continued to perform until 2014, when he bowed out with a final show in San Diego, California, at the age of 85.

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