On the recordFebruary 4, 2010
I rise today to mourn the passing of one of Nevada's finest entertainers, Rogelio Darias. Known in Las Vegas and throughout the world as simply the ``The Bongo King,'' Rogelio brought smiles to all those within earshot with his rhythmic talents. Mr. Darias passed away on January 20, 2010, at the age of 93. Born in Santa Clara, Cuba, Rogelio first began his storied career as a percussionist in a band with his siblings, Pedro and Diego, at the tender age of eight. Their musical group, known as the ``Hermanos Darias'' quickly garnered the attention of music producers throughout Cuba, and it was not long before young Rogelio was swept away to the big city of Havana, where he pursued further his musical career. He soon began working with Havana's most well-known musicians, such as Maestro Ernesto Lecuona and Chiquito Orefiche, and performing both on the radio station Cadena Azul Chain and at the National Theater. Rogelio's mastery of the his craft became world famous, and before long he was traveling to Europe, Asia, and Africa, spreading his ``bongo gospel'' to people of all races, nationalities, and creeds.
