King Errisson was born on October 29, 1941 in Nassau, Bahamas where Afro Caribbean rhythms, goatskin drums, and Junkanoo are a prominent feature of the cultural landscape. It was only natural that the young Errisson would begin playing the bongos at a very early age and began playing professional gigs by the time he was 13 years old. He also worked as a jockey until he was 19 years old when he was offered the opportunity to perform at a night club in Boston. He returned to the Bahamas and teamed up with a limbo dancer and continued to perform on a regular basis.
King received his first “big break” at the age of 23 when his talent with the congas was prominently displayed in a memorable night club scene in the James Bond movie,
Thunderball.Few people outside of the music industry know King Errisson, but they know the hall-of-famers he's worked for. He's toured with Neil Diamond since 1976, and Diamond introduces him as the best percussionist in the world. He's played with Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Doc Severinsen, Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, Barry White and The Carpenters. Like everyone in business from a chief operating officer on down, Errisson knows what it is to be the unsung hero. Errisson, 64, spoke to USA TODAY corporate management reporter Del Jones about coping in a world where the stars take the bows.
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