Of course Doctor Gaz,Bongos ARE real drums.
Yes he left this mortal coil young,though in truth,i don't know the full story,as i was so concentrated on the music,that unbelievably i didn't take in when he died,and the reasons for it.

I can't believe 54 years have passed in my life,while others never even reached half that,as sometimes i feel 54 years have whizzed past,and happened so quick........and other times,when i stop to actually think about it......its quite a long time...but still feels so darn quick.