How LP (Latin Percussion) Began-Over 50 Years of Untold Stories

This video tells of how the first bongo was conceived of and created. The first hardware was created in a company building military instrumentation. That very same bongo was recreated in 2014 as the 50th Anniversary model that has already become the go to bongo by the leading players who have passed through the congahead.com studio.

2010 Year In Review

The year began with my biggest birthday party, ever that was transformed into a fund raiser for Haitian earthquake relief.

congahead.com‘s studio for video production came into full gear.  4 Camera HD videos with high fidelity stereo sound provided by world class audio engineer, Kamilo Kratc with video assistance from his wife, Sandra Kratc, audio assistance  from new family member, DJ Javick and help from Jake Fischer.

This site wouldn’t have the capability it has without the genius of Clinton Bradley who for the last 14 years constantly improved my ability in technology.

Always props to Little Johnny Rivero who’s devotion to my cause is endless.  My wife, Vivianne has provided the most delicious meals for the musical talent that has been so kind to lend their talent to congahead.com,

2010 came to an end with the addition of theater drapes for congahead.com’s studio for the good look and improved sound.
2010 produced the greatest variety of music.  Over 8,500,000 viewing by year end and growing.

We had variety!

R.I.P. Rudy Regalado

Venezuelan born percussionist died in Las Vegas on November 5, 2010.  I first met Rudy in Puerto Rico in the 1960s.  I knew him while he was a fixture on the LA music scene and later got to see him in Los Vegas.  He was 73 years old.

Celebrating Carlos “Patato” Valdez’s birthday.

Born roughly November 4, 1925, Carlos “Patato” Valdez was one of the most influential figures in the development of my career and that of the LP, percussion company I founded in 1964.  It was love at first sight for me.  He was talented, funny and a bit crazy.  He helped me hone my hanging out chops in the after hour clubs in the Bronx and in the parties in his apartment. He was a part of my life for nearly 40 years.  With his help I introduced a conga design that has his name and a bata drum set in fiberglass that was a bit oversized.  In 1979 he was part of a band I founded that included Tito Puente and Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez called the Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble that made 3 European trips and one to Japan.  If the trips themselves were costly to me, they helped me develop a global business that became a powerful brand in percussion.

Patato died in a hospital outside of Cleveland, Ohio on November 11, 2007

First San Francisco Photo Shoot

This is a photo from my first San Francisco Photo Shoot taken at the Mission Cultural Center.  I think the year was 1985 but some of the guys in the photo might know the exact year.  Some of the guys in the photo are Eric Rangél, Babatunde Lee, Michael Pluznick, John Santos, Karl Perazzo, Chalo Eduardo, Benni Duarte, Orestes Vilato, Mario Abruzo, Michael Spiro.  Please get in touch with me with missing names.Thanks to Rafael Ramierez the following info was supplied:Top Row ~ Sammuel Ramirez, Rsafael Ramirez,Daryl Rogers

 

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