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Don Armando

1946 – 2002

American musician

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About Don Armando

Lived 1946 – 2002 (aged 56). Don Armando was an American drummer.

Armando Bonilla Jr. (August 9, 1946 – November 16, 2002), known as Don Armando, was an American musician. He formed the Second Avenue Rhumba Band with vocalist Fonda Rae and scored a #1 hit on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with "Deputy of Love" in 1979. Bonilla was also a percussionist with Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.

Biography Armando "Sonny" Bonilla was born and raised in East Harlem, New York City, the eldest sibling of a family composed of five sons of a Puerto Rican father – Roman Armando Bonilla, the leader of the East Harlem Orchestra – and a Colombian mother. After completing a tour of duty with the United States Air Force, he graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, and later he acquired a master's degree from Columbia University.

Discography 1979 Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band (ZE Records) A1. "Deputy of Love" A2. "Compliment Your Leading Lady" A3. "Winter Love" B1. "Goin' to a Showdown" B2. "How to Handle a Woman" B3. "I'm an Indian Too" B4. "Para Ti" / "This Is Just for You"

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
New York University, Columbia University
Also known as
Don Armando Bonilla, Don Armando Bonilla Jr.

People in Don Armando's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Don Armando's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Don Armando?

American musician (1946–2002)

When was Don Armando born?

Don Armando was born on 9 August 1946 in Manhattan.

When did Don Armando die?

Don Armando died on 16 November 2002 in Seattle.

What was Don Armando's occupation?

Don Armando was a drummer.

What nationality was Don Armando?

Don Armando was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Don Armando

· Wikidata: Q5292169

· DBpedia: Don Armando

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Don Armando. https://biography.guide/don-armando/

MLA: "Don Armando." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/don-armando/.

Chicago: "Don Armando." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/don-armando/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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