GOODBYE MONGO - REMEMBER MONGO

[JohnnyConga]

This band was together for a couple of years. I was also in Versailles for 5 years with Palabra and "El" Nino Jesus,also with a bunch of other bands from El Chicano to Sergio Mendes to the Jackson 5....."JC" Johnny Conga...

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... nor_74.jpg

[JohnnyConga]

That is a photo from 1975 in the old Atlanta Underground with Gloria Gaynor ..here I am with Sergio Mendes in the tight white pants.... ...."JC" Johnny Conga....

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... l_2B77.jpg

[ABAKUA]

Yo JC... so how right now... Very "Zoolander'ish" :laugh: :O :p

[Diceman]

Nice one JC, and still wearing the 'face furniture'
:;): But........................no bonnet!!

But seriously, its great to be in such esteemed company.

Got any more pics??

[JohnnyConga]

This was one of my Miami bands with the GREAT Eddie Gua-Gua Rivera on bass,Edwin Bonilla on timbales, Mario Marerro on keys, Freddy Lugo on bongos, Doug Michaels trumpet,and Tom McCormick on sax...do I have photos??, only 8 photo albums full of photos......"JC" Johnny Conga...

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... _Miami.jpg

[JohnnyConga]

Here I am with the fusion band "Squash" circa Los Angeles 1979..Im playing a samba whistle.. using two congas made by Louis Zamora from Mexico and a gon bop quinto in the middle...very unique congas from Zamora...."JC" Johnny Conga...

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... SQUASH.jpg

[Zeno]

JC,

Have you kept all these exotic drums over the years? What drums do you have in your arsenal or collection? I seem to recall you are a Pearl rep, so those I would know about. I am curious to know more about Vergara, since you identified that one on the Barretto cover. Was that what Mongo played?

Zeno

[JohnnyConga]

Hi Zeno ..I have 3 original "Afro" thai Oak congas 4 Pearl fiberglass congas and a "requinto" made by "Junior" thats about 40 years old. Mongo only used Vergaras mostly. He didnt like or use fiberglass drums. Martin Galagarza the bongosero, owns Mongo's original Vergaras in Florida. the ones on the cover of Mongo Live at the Village Gate, the red ones, that are now green....I have had too many sets of congas in my career..thought i would never sell any of them but i have..."JC" Johnny Conga.... ..the "folklorics" may be next in my arsenal

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... ongas.jpeg

[SkinDeep]

SO THAT'S WHAT THOSE WERE, OK. TELL ME AT WHAT POINT DID MONGO START USING MEINL'S CAUSE I'VE SEEN A FEW PICS OF HIM PLAYING ON MEINL'S...THKS



Edited By SkinDeep on 1140857839

[JohnnyConga]

If Mongo did use Meinl congas it was when he was in Germany on tour...though they kinda enorsed him with their drums...hence this photo of Mongo when he was about 80 years old, with Meinls ..."JC" Johnny Conga...

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... maria1.jpg

[ABAKUA]

Saludos a todos..

Hey Zara, I went to press 'quote' option on your post and I mistakenly pressed 'delete' option and deleted it by accident.
Please post your comments again. Was in reference to Aragon's tumbador...



Edited By ABAKUA on 1141957322

[zaragemca]

Saludos,my comment was in reference to Rolando Lozano and 'Chombo' Silva,I did say that when Mongo was playing in NY., with these 'monsters' a lot of musicians in NY., would show up to check them out,in one of the nights,Miles Davis was in the bar listening,and when Mongo went to the bar Miles jokingly told to Mongo, "how this @#&! play so much",(Rolando Lozano), which was comming from Orquestra Aragon.Also I mentioned that Lozano were in the 1940's in a Jazz/Band in Mexico,with Humberto Cane,(Bass),and 'Generoso' Jimenez',Trombon..Dr. Zaragemca



Edited By zaragemca on 1142881648