There is more than one artist with this name, including: 1) The Bongos was an American pop band active in the 1980s. 2) The Bongos was a New Zealand rock band formed in Auckland in October 1981. 1) The Bongos was an American pop band active in the 1980s. They formed in Hoboken, New Jersey and were led by Richard Barone (vocals, guitar). The band also included Rob Norris, formerly of the Zantees (bass) and Frank Giannini (drums). James Mastro (guitar), later of The Health & Happiness Show, joined the band after the release of their first LP.