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Santana

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Santana is an American rock band from San Francisco, founded in 1966 by the Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana. That year he discovered the city's hippie movement and set up a group of his own. In 1967 the band was given an audition with the concert promoter Bill Graham at the Fillmore Auditorium, and at the end of 1968 a contract with Columbia Records followed. Carlos Santana is the only constant member through all the line-ups.

Music and breakthrough

The breakthrough came in August 1969 with a performance at Woodstock. The debut album Santana appeared shortly afterwards, with Evil Ways among others. Then followed Abraxas (1970), with a reworking of Black Magic Woman by Fleetwood Mac, Oye Como Va and the instrumental Samba Pa Ti, and Santana III in 1971. These albums were made by the classic line-up with Gregg Rolie on organ and vocals, the percussionists Michael Carabello and José Chepito Areas, the drummer Michael Shrieve and the bassist David Brown. Producer Graham had advised the group to shorten the long jams and make real songs.

Influence

The sound of Santana mixes rock and blues with Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz. Besides the electric guitar, organ and full percussion are defining. From 1972 the band chose jazz fusion, on Caravanserai, Welcome and Borboletta. It reached a new peak in 1999 with Supernatural, which included Smooth among others. The classic line-up later came together again for Santana IV in 2016. Santana showed that Latin American percussion can take a central place in rock music.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Samba Pa Ti and follow only the guitar. Notice how the tone sustains and sings, as if it were a voice, while the percussion beneath keeps a soft Latin rhythm.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists