Santana is an American rock band that was formed in San Francisco, California, in 1966 by Mexican-born guitarist Carlos Santana. The band is known for its fusion of rock, jazz, blues, and Afro-Cuban rhythms with a Latin sound. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time1 They have also won 10 Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, 2 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 19983
Origins
Santana’s origins can be traced back to 1966, when Carlos Santana left Mexico for San Francisco, where he discovered the hippie movement and found himself “wanting to be part of this new wave.” 4 Later that year, he began to assemble his own band, the first line-up of which included Sergio “Gus” Rodriguez on bass, Danny Haro on drums, and Michael Carabello on percussion. In January 1967, the four were granted an audition spot for concert promoter Bill Graham at the Fillmore Auditorium on a bill with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and the Charles Lloyd Quartet, and named themselves the Santana Blues Band5 Within a month, the group expanded with the addition of Tom Fraser on guitar and vocals, who also brought in Gregg Rolie on organ and vocals4
The band stalled for several weeks, however, after Carlos was hospitalized with tuberculosis. In June 1967, Graham fired the group from performing at the Fillmore after some members turned up late for a gig supporting Loading Zone. The incident drove Carlos to bring in new and committed musicians, keeping Rolie with him5 By the year’s end, the band adopted the shorter name of Santana. Until early 1969, the band were joined by Marcus Malone on percussion, who left the group after being convicted of manslaughter.
Breakthrough
In 1969, Santana made their breakthrough with their performance at the Woodstock Festival, where they played a nine-song set that included their signature song “Soul Sacrifice”. The band’s appearance at the festival increased their exposure and popularity, and they went on to sign a contract with Columbia Records. They released their debut album, Santana, later that year, which featured a blend of rock and Latin music, with Carlos’ melodic guitar lines and Rolie’s Hammond organ solos. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching number four on the Billboard 200 and selling over two million copies in the US. The album also featured the hit single “Evil Ways”, which reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
The band followed their debut album with two more successful albums in the early 1970s, Abraxas (1970) and Santana III (1971). These albums showcased the band’s musical diversity and experimentation, as they incorporated elements of jazz, blues, salsa, and psychedelia. The albums also featured some of the band’s most popular songs, such as “Black Magic Woman”, “Oye Como Va”, “Samba Pa Ti”, and “No One to Depend On”. The albums reached the top of the charts and sold millions of copies worldwide.
Masterpiece
In 1972, the band underwent a major change in line-up and musical direction, as Carlos Santana became interested in spiritual and religious themes, and explored the music of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Alice Coltrane. He also collaborated with other musicians from different backgrounds and genres, such as Mahavishnu Orchestra, Buddy Miles, and John McLaughlin. He formed a new version of Santana, featuring Armando Peraza and Chepito Areas on percussion, Tom Coster on keyboards, Doug Rauch on bass, and Michael Shrieve on drums. He also added a second guitarist, Neal Schon, who would later form Journey.
The new Santana recorded their fourth album, Caravanserai, in 1972, which was a departure from their previous albums, as it featured mostly instrumental songs, with a more jazz-oriented and experimental sound. The album was a critical success, but a commercial disappointment, as it failed to produce any hit singles or reach the top 10 on the charts. The album was also the last to feature Gregg Rolie, who left the band after its release.
The band continued to release albums and singles throughout the 1970s and 1980s, such as Welcome (1973), Amigos (1976), Moonflower (1977), Marathon (1979), Zebop! (1981), and Shangó (1982). The band also featured various musicians and singers, such as Leon Patillo, Alex Ligertwood, David Brown, and Graham Lear. The band’s music became more pop-oriented and mainstream, but still retained some of their Latin and jazz influences. The band also had some hit songs, such as “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)”, “She’s Not There”, “Winning”, and “Hold On”.
Legacy
Santana reached a new peak of commercial and critical success in the late 1990s, with the release of their 18th album, Supernatural, in 1999. The album was a collaboration with various contemporary artists, such as Rob Thomas, Lauryn Hill, Dave Matthews, Eric Clapton, and Wyclef Jean. The album featured a mix of rock, pop, hip-hop, and Latin music, and showcased Carlos Santana’s guitar skills and musical vision. The album was a huge success, reaching number one in 11 countries and selling over 30 million copies worldwide. The album also won nine Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, and three Latin Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
The band followed Supernatural with two more successful albums, Shaman (2002) and All That I Am (2005), which also featured collaborations with various artists, such as Michelle Branch, Steven Tyler, Chad Kroeger, and Mary J. Blige. The band also performed at various events and venues, such as the Super Bowl, the Grammy Awards, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The band released their 22nd album, Africa Speaks, in 2019, which was produced by Rick Rubin and featured vocals by Spanish singer Buika. The album was inspired by African music and culture, and featured a more organic and adventurous sound. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans, and reached the top 10 on the charts in several countries.
Santana is one of the most influential and respected bands in rock music history. They have influenced a diverse range of artists, such as Los Lobos, Maná, Los Lonely Boys, and Rodrigo y Gabriela. They have also been recognized as pioneers and innovators of Latin rock, jazz fusion, and world music. They are a true spirit of rock and music, and a source of inspiration for many.
