What musical role did Bruno Mars's father have when his parents met?

Bruno Mars’s father was a percussionist when he met Mars’s mother.

Mars’s parents met while performing in a show in Hawaii. His mother, Bernadette San Pedro Bayot, was a hula dancer, while his father, Peter Hernandez, performed as a percussionist. Their musical partnership helped create the family environment that shaped Mars’s childhood.

Peter Hernandez also performed Little Richard’s music, and Mars grew up surrounded by singing, dancing, and instruments. Mars has described his Hawaii upbringing and his father’s band as major influences on his musical identity. He learned several instruments, including drums, guitar, piano, and percussion.

A common mix-up is to identify Mars’s father primarily as a singer or guitarist. Although he was a versatile performer and bandleader, the role specifically associated with the meeting of Mars’s parents is percussionist.