The Mid Century Vault

Currently Playing: 050 Bongos - Beatniks & Rebellion: The Rhythm of Mid-Century Cool

Why did every "cool" apartment in 1958 have a set of bongo drums? From the smoky jazz clubs of Havana to the suburban rec rooms of America, we’re uncovering how these two little drums became the heartbeat of a rebellious generation. In this episode of The Mid Century Vault, Philip Mershon dives into the fascinating history of bongo drums. We explore their Afro-Cuban roots, their explosion in the Exotica music scene, and how they became the ultimate weapon of choice for the Beat Generation. Whether you were a "gray flannel suit" executive looking for an exotic escape or a turtleneck-wearing beatnik reading poetry in a basement, the bongos were the rhythm of mid-century cool. In this video, we discuss: The 1950s obsession with "The Exotic." How bongos moved from Xavier Cugat’s orchestra to mainstream TV. The rise of the Beatnik cliché and Maynard G. Krebs. Why bongo sales skyrocketed by 500% in a single decade. 📺 Watch Episode 26 on The Beat Generation: https://youtu.be/s3jf4C2Ubjg?si=BpCpfQr2hv-ubqdn ☕ Support the Vault & Buy Philip a Coffee: https://coff.ee/philipmershon #MidCenturyModern #BongoDrums #Beatnik #1950sHistory #Exotica #VinylCulture #TheMidCenturyVault #PopCultureHistory