The Resume

(July 19, 1930-May 9, 2019)
Born in Mangum, Oklahoma
Recorded the single ‘Bongo Rock’ (1959)

Why he might be annoying:

He was a one-hit wonder.
He seems to have tried every conceivable ‘bongo’ idea in pursuit of that second hit: follow-ups included ‘Bongo, Bongo, Bongo,’ ‘Mr. Bongo,’ ‘Bongo Shuffle,’ ‘Hully Gully Bongo,’ ‘Bongo in the Congo,’ ‘Bongo Rocket,’ ‘Bongo Hop,’ ‘Bongo Boogie,’ ‘Flamenco Bongo,’ ‘Bongo Waltz,’ ‘Bongo Express’ and ‘Bongo Rock ’65.’
He appeared (as a bongo player, of course) in Ted V. Mikels’ awful film ‘Girl in Gold Boots,’ where he was listed in the opening credits as ‘that Bongo Rock man.’

Why he might not be annoying:

He learned to play bongos while serving with the US Army in Okinawa.
He was discovered playing in a coffee house by disc jockey Art Laboe, who signed him to the newly formed Original Sound label.
’Bongo Rock’ was the first hit single for Original Sound, making the pop Top 20 and earning a gold record.
He played percussion on the Penguins’ doo-wop classic ‘Earth Angel.’
He toured with Count Basie, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and Little Richard.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 71]
• Drummers
• I am an Okie
• I Died in 2019 (Ranked: 88)
• I Named My Kid After Myself
• My Movie Was Featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000
• Profiles 45251-45500 (Ranked: 45453)
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 20190509)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 23 Votes: 47.83% Annoying