(April 7, 1917-February 1, 2003)
Born in Havana, Cuba
Conga player
Actual first name was Ramon
Songs included 'Watermelon Man,' 'Afro Blue' and 'Spanish Grease'
Died from a stroke at 85

He dropped out of high school to focus on a music career.
He had a falling out with Tito Puente.
'Watermelon Man' was his only Pop hit.
In 1988, he appeared in the low budget dance flick 'Salsa.'

His nickname is Senegalese for 'tribal chief.'
His 1963 version of Herbie Hancock's 'Watermelon Man' is a jazz standard, inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
Considered the best conguero of all-time, his high energy performances were akin to a religious experience.

Credit: Black Chic

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