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Peter DePoe (born August 21, 1943), also known as Last Walking Bear, is a Native American rock musician who was the drummer for the Native American band Redbone. He first played with Jimi Hendrix in Seattle’s local taverns as a young man and moved to California and became Redbone’s drummer in 1969.

Background

Born in Neah Bay, Washington in 1943, Peter DePoe is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon[1] and a descendant of the Southern Cheyenne and Turtle Mountain Chippewa. DePoe is also of French and German descent.

Musical career

He was credited with developing a style of drumming known as “King Kong”, later copied by other drummers for its versatile and funk-oriented rhythms.[2] In an interview with Drumeo, Tower of Power’s David Garibaldi described the “King Kong Beat” as one of the most important and influential rhythms incorporated into his drumming style.[3]

In early 1972, he left the group. The band replaced him with Arturo Perez, and then with Redbone bandmate Tony Bellamy‘s cousin Butch Rillera.[4]

DePoe has since played drums for several Washington-area bands, including Paco, a trio that was active from 1977-1979 and produced select recordings with Kearney Barton‘s Seattle-based audio production company, Topaz Records.[5][6]

Further reading

  • “Come And Get Your Love: A Celebratory Ode to Redbone (1939-Present)” by Pat “Redbone” Vegas. Jim Hoffmann, contributor. Rehbon Publishing, 2017, 280 pps.
  • “King Kong Pete: Redbone and Beyond” by Peter “Last Walking Bear” DePoe. Jim Hoffmann, contributor. King Kong Beat Publishing, 2017, 292 pps.
  • “King Kong Pete: How a Real Drummer Boy from the Neah Bay Reservation Changed the World” by Peter “Last Walking Bear” DePoe. various contributors. King Kong Beat Publishing, 2023, 50 pps.

Discography

  • Ron Buford – Deep Soul Pt. 1 & 2 – Camelot Studios – 1962
  • Mr. Clean and the Cleansers – 1964
  • Jimmy McCracklin – The Stinger Man (LP, Album) Minit LP-24017 1969
  • Redbone – Potlatch Epic 1970
  • Redbone – Redbone Epic 1970
  • Redbone – Message From A Drum Epic 1971
  • Power (Prelude To A Means) (as Peter O. DePoe)
  • Redbone – Already Here (LP, Album) Epic, Epic, Epic EPC 65072, S EPC 65072, KE 31598 1972
  • Trafton – Traffic Jam (CD, Album) Rose Records (2), Rose Records (2) #208, ROSE208 1990
  • Take It Easy Various – WTNG 89.9 FM: Solid Bronze (LP, Comp, Ltd) Numero Group, Numbero NBR-002 2012
  • Bobby Womack – Across 110th Street – EMI- 1972
  • Redbone – Wovoka Epic 1973
  • Redbone – Come And Get Your Redbone / The Best Of Redbone Epic 1975
  • Jimmy Ford – Harlan County (Sundown/White Whale Records JHS-1002), 1969
  • Brenda Patterson – Keep On Keepin On 1970 – Epic Records

Writing & Arrangement:

  • Things Go Better… (as P. DePoe)
  • 23rd And Mad (as P. DePoe)
  • Intro for Chant 13th Hour – Redbone
  • Cisco’s Ride Home (as P. DePoe)

References

  1. ^ “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” (PDF). Siletz News. Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. September 2017. p. 17. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  2. ^ “Learn to Play: The “King Kong” Drum Lesson with Jordan West”. May 18, 2018.
  3. ^ Drumeo (February 2, 2017). “The Most Important Beat I Ever Learned – David Garibaldi (Drumeo)”. Youtube. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  4. ^ Native American Music Awards – “In Their Honor” Archived April 12, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Metzker, Steve. “Paco”. Pacific Northwest Bands. PNW Bands. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  6. ^ ““Sandman”/”Funk Is In Your Ear”“. Northwest Music Archives. NW Music Archives. Retrieved March 14, 2025.

Orexis on Redbone