gigs. Herbie Hancock got the temporary job. Hancock recalls what happened the night that Santamaría discovered "Watermelon Man", the only tune of Santamaría's to reach the top of the pop charts: The sudden success of the song (which Mongo Santamaria recorded on December 17, 1962) propelled Santamaría into his niche of blending Afro-Cuban and African American music. Santamaría went on to record Cuban-flavored versions of popular music R&B and Motown songs. Awards and honors Santamaria was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame and the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame the following year. Death On February 1, 2003 Santamaria died in Miami, Florida, after suffering a stroke, at the age of 85. He is buried in Woodlawn Park Cemetery and Mausoleum (now Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Park North Cemetery and Mausoleum) in Miami, Florida. Discography As leader Afro-Cuban Drums (SMC Pro-Arte, 1952) Drums and Chants (Changó) (Vaya, 1954) Tambores y Cantos (1955) Yambu: Mongo Santamaria y Sus Ritmos Afro Cubano (1958) Mongo (Fantasy, 1959) Afro Roots (Yambu and Mongo) (Prestige, 1958, 1959) Our Man in Havana (1960) Mongo en la Habana (Mongo in Havana) (1960) with Carlos Embale and Merceditas Valdés Sabroso! (1960) !Arriba! La Pachanga (1961) Go, Mongo! (1962) Watermelon Man! (Battle, 1963) Mongo at the Village Gate (Riverside, 1963) Mongo Santamaria Introduces La Lupe (Riverside Records, 1963) El Bravo! (1964) Pussy Cat (1965) La Bamba (1965) Mongo Explodes (Riverside, 1966) Hey! Let's Party (1967) Mongo Mania (1967) Soul Bag (1968) Workin' on a Groovy Thing (1969) Stone Soul (1969) Afro-American Latin (1969 [rel. 2000]) Feelin' Alright (1970) Mongo '70 (1970) Mongo's Way (1971) Up from the Roots (1972) Fuego (1972) Ubané (1974) with Justo Betancourt on vocals Afro-Indio (1975) Sofrito (1976) Amanecer (1977) A la Carte (1978) Red Hot (1979) You Better Believe It (1979) Images (1980) Summertime (1981) Mongo Magic (Roulette Records, 1982) Free Spirit (Espiritu Libre) (Tropical Budda Records, 1984) Soy Yo (1987) Live at Jazz Alley (Concord, 1990) Mongo Returns! (1995) Conga Blue (1995) Come on Home (1997) Mongo Santamaría (1998) As sideman With Fania All-Stars 1968 Live at the Red Garter, Vol. 2 1974 Latin-Soul-Rock 1975 Live at Yankee Stadium, Vol. 1 1976 Live at Yankee Stadium, Vol. 2 1976 Salsa 1977 Rhythm Machine 1986 Live in Japan 1976 1987 Perfect BlendWith Tito Puente 1956 Cuban Carnival 1956 Puente Goes Jazz 1956 Puente in Percussion 1957 Let's Cha Cha with Puente 1957