:Santana (band)
{{Short description|American rock band}}
{{Other uses|Santana (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Santana
| image = Santana (1971).png
| landscape = yes
| caption = The "classic" line-up in 1971.
Left to right: Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, Michael Shrieve, Michael Carabello, David Brown, Carlos Santana and José "Chepito" Areas.
| alias = Santana Blues Band (1966–1967)
| background = group_or_band
| origin = San Francisco, California, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Latin rock{{cite web |title= Pop/Rock » Rock & Roll/Roots » Latin Rock |publisher= AllMusic. All Media Network |url= http://www.allmusic.com/style/latin-rock-ma0000011908 |access-date= October 28, 2016 |archive-date= 4 January 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190104182743/https://www.allmusic.com/style/latin-rock-ma0000011908 |url-status= live }}|blues rock{{cite book|author=Mojo|author-link=Mojo (magazine)|title=The Mojo Collection: The Ultimate Music Companion|year=2007|editor-first=Jim|editor-last=Irvin |edition=4th|publisher=Canongate Books|page=213|isbn=978-1-84195-973-3}}|psychedelic rock{{cite book|first1=Martin Charles|last1=Strong|author-link1=Martin C. Strong|first2=Brendon|last2=Griffin|title=Lights, camera, sound tracks|year=2008|publisher=Canongate|page=525|isbn=978-1-84767-003-8}}|acid rock{{cite book|first=Amy L.|last=Fletcher|year=2012|title=The Guide to United States Popular Culture|chapter=Acid Rock|pages=7–8|editor-first1=Abbe A.|editor-last1=Debolt|editor-first2=James S.|editor-last2=Baugess|volume=1: A–M|publisher=Popular Press|isbn=978-0-313-32944-9}}|Chicano rock{{cite journal|first=Deborah|last=Pacini Hernández|date=Spring 2000|title=A Tale of Two Cities: A Comparative Analysis of Los Angeles Chicano and Nuyorican Engagement with Rock and Roll|page=79|journal=Centro Journal|volume=11|issue=2}}|jazz fusion{{cite web |last1=Freeman |first1=Phil |title=Remembering When Santana Made Amazing Jazz-Rock |url=http://www.vinylmeplease.com/magazine/remembering-when-santana-made-amazing-jazz-rock |website=Vinyl Me Please |access-date=January 21, 2020 |language=en |date=March 7, 2018}}|yacht rock{{Cite web |url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2020/4/14/now-thats-what-i-call-yacht-rock-2-compilation-cruising-your.html |title='NOW That's What I Call Yacht Rock 2' compilation cruising your way in May - Music News - ABC News Radio |access-date=8 June 2021 |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126030345/http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2020/4/14/now-thats-what-i-call-yacht-rock-2-compilation-cruising-your.html }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.brainerddispatch.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/yacht-rock|title=Yacht Rock!|date=18 January 2017|website=Brainerddispatch.com|access-date=April 15, 2024|archive-date=16 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190050/https://www.brainerddispatch.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/yacht-rock|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.clcmn.edu/news/2017/01/18/yacht-rock-armadillos-bring-blue-eyed-soul-to-brainerd/|title=Yacht Rock! Armadillos Bring Blue-Eyed Soul to Brainerd|website=Clcmn.edu|date=18 January 2017}}}}
| years_active = 1966–present
| label = {{flatlist|
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
| website = {{URL|santana.com}}
| current_members = {{ubl
|Tommy Anthony
|Ray Greene
|David K. Mathews
|Paoli Mejías
|Karl Perazzo
|Benny Rietveld
|Andy Vargas
}}
| past_members =
{{Collapsible list
|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
|title=
}}
- (see Personnel section for others)
}}
Santana is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1966 by Mexican-born guitarist Carlos Santana.{{Cite news |author=Aidin Vaziri |date=October 20, 2023 |title=Journey announces 50th anniversary tour dates — without Bay Area stops |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/journey-freedom-tour-2024-18388109 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424133204/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/journey-freedom-tour-2024-18388109 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-23 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}} The band has undergone various recording and performing line-ups in its history, with Santana being the only consistent member. After signing with Columbia Records, the band's appearance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969 increased their profile and they went on to record the critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums Santana (1969), Abraxas (1970) and Santana III (1971). These were recorded by the group's "classic" line-up, comprising lead vocalist Gregg Rolie, percussionists José "Chepito" Areas and Michael Carabello, drummer Michael Shrieve and bassist David Brown. Hit songs of this period include "Evil Ways" (1970), "Black Magic Woman" (1970), "Oye Como Va" (1971) and the instrumental "Samba Pa Ti" (1973).
Following a change in line-up and musical direction in 1972, the band experimented with elements of jazz fusion on Caravanserai (1972), Welcome (1973) and Borboletta (1974). The band reached a new peak of critical and commercial success with their eighteenth album, Supernatural (1999), which included the Billboard Hot 100-number one singles "Smooth" (featuring Rob Thomas) and "Maria Maria" (featuring The Product G&B). The album peaked atop the charts in eleven countries and sold 12 million copies domestically. It won eight Grammy Awards at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, a record tied with Michael Jackson and three Latin Grammy Awards.{{cite web |title= Adele To Michael Jackson: Who's Won The Most GRAMMYs In A Night? |date= 15 May 2017 |publisher= The Recording Academy. |url= https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/adele-michael-jackson-whos-won-most-grammys-night |access-date= February 8, 2019 |archive-date= 10 March 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190310003104/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/adele-michael-jackson-whos-won-most-grammys-night |url-status= live }} In 2014, the "classic" line-up—with the exception of Brown, who died in 2000—reunited for Santana IV (2016) and the group continue to perform and record.
Santana is one of the best-selling groups of all time, with over 47 million certified records sold in the US and an estimated 100 million sold worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=TAA#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum – Top Tallies – Top Artists (Albums)|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=May 18, 2019|archive-date=3 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203033345/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=TAA#search_section|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jacksonville.com/entertainment/music/2017-10-19/echoes-woodstock-santana-one-few-big-names-still-road|title=Echoes of Woodstock: Santana one of the few big names still on the road|work=The Florida Times-Union|first=Tom|last=Szaroleta|date=October 19, 2017|access-date=October 19, 2017|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019231609/http://www.jacksonville.com/entertainment/music/2017-10-19/echoes-woodstock-santana-one-few-big-names-still-road|url-status=live}} Its discography includes 25 studio albums, 14 of which reached the US Top 10. In 1998, the line-up of Santana, Rolie, Carabello, Shrieve, Brown and Areas was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/santana "Santana"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826235738/https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/santana |date=26 August 2016 }}. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
History
=1966–1972: Formation and breakthrough=
In 1966, Mexican-born American musician Carlos Santana discovered San Francisco's hippie and counterculture movement and found himself "wanting to be part of this new wave."{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-resurrection-of-santana-228986/|title=The Resurrection of Santana|first=Ben|last=Fong-Torres|date=December 7, 1972|publisher=Rolling Stone|access-date=August 26, 2022}} 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 Band.{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=60Jde3l7WNwC&pg=PA137 | title=Legends of rock guitar |first1=Pete |last1=Prown |first2=Harvey P. |last2=Newquist |first3=Jon F. |last3=Eiche |access-date=2015-08-24| isbn=978-0-7935-4042-6 | year=1997 | publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation }} 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 vocals. The band stalled for several weeks, however, after Carlos was hospitalised with tuberculosis. In June 1967, Graham fired the group from performing at the Fillmore after some members turned up late for a gig supporting The Who and Loading Zone. The incident drove Carlos to bring in new and committed musicians, keeping Rolie with him. 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.
In late 1968, the group secured a record deal with Columbia Records, following a successful audition opening for the Grateful Dead. The band had caught the interest of Columbia and Atlantic Records, and an audition was organised for both labels, but Carlos refused to perform for Atlantic as he wanted to be on the same label as Miles Davis and Bob Dylan.{{sfn|Leng|2000|p=40}} In December, Santana performed a series of concerts at the Fillmore that were recorded for a proposed live album. Biographer Simon Leng said it marked Santana moving away from its blues and R&B roots towards the "Santana sound" with the addition of Afro-Cuban and jazz numbers into their sets.{{sfn|Leng|2000|p=42}} After several line-up changes, the group finally stabilised in May 1969 with Santana, Rolie, Carabello, David Brown on bass, Michael Shrieve on drums, and Jose "Chepito" Areas on percussion, which became known as the "classic" line-up.{{cite web|url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/carlos-santana-2|title=The Guitar Greats – Carlos Santana|first1=Stuart|last1=Grundy|first2=John|last2=Tobler|publisher=BBC Books|year=1983|via=Rock's Backpages|url-access=subscription}}
File:Woodstock redmond stage.JPG
The band recorded their debut album, Santana, in San Francisco in May 1969. It was their third go at recording an album, after previous attempts failed to produce results they wanted. The sessions featured Alberto Gianquinto on piano, who also helped with the arrangements of the tracks. He quickly noticed the group's main problem: the solo spots were too long.{{sfn|Leng|2000|p=46}} Graham agreed, and advised that the band needed to cut the lengthy jams and begin constructing songs. He also got the band to listen to Willie Bobo's version of "Evil Ways", and suggested they record their own version.{{sfn|Leng|2000|p=46}} With the album recorded, Graham arranged for Santana to tour the Midwest as openers for Crosby, Stills and Nash, which expanded the group's profile outside the West Coast.{{sfn|Leng|2000|p=48}} Around this time, Graham had been asked to help organise the upcoming Woodstock Festival and agreed to promote it on the condition that Santana would be added to the bill. Graham persisted, and the band were assigned a 45-minute set in the afternoon of August 16, the second day, for $2,500.{{sfn|Leng|2000|p=49}} The performance launched the group to international fame, and Santana, released on August 30, peaked at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200. The first single, "Jingo", was followed by "Evil Ways", which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. In October 1969, Graham had Santana perform at the Gold Rush rock music festival and on The Ed Sullivan Show, further increasing the group's nationwide exposure.{{sfn|Leng|2000|p=48}}{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Canning |date=April 29, 2019 |title=1969 Amador Gold Rush Music Festival |url=https://www.eaglemagazine.com/departments/close-up/my-life-in-rock-and-roll/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Eagle Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922235425/https://www.eaglemagazine.com/departments/close-up/my-life-in-rock-and-roll/ |url-status=live }}
In April 1970, Santana returned to the studio to record its second album, Abraxas.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eikEAAAAMBAJ&q=pacific+high+recording+studioas&pg=PA55 |title=Billboard |date=1970-06-27 |access-date=2015-08-24}} The album, highlighted by a reworking of "Black Magic Woman" by Fleetwood Mac that peaked at No. 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100, was released in September 1970 and rose to number 1 on the US Billboard 200.
By 1971, the group were still struggling to maintain a strong musical direction. From January to July they recorded Santana III. Released in September 1971, the album also reached number 1 on the US Billboard 200. At the peak of the band's popularity, the album was the last to feature its classic Woodstock era line-up. Santana explained that there was a lot of unnecessary internal resentment and that managerial problems contributed to the problem, leading to Graham's dismissal. That year, they performed at a concert in Accra to commemorate Ghana's 14th Independence Day. The concert was filmed and released in theaters as Soul to Soul.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/08/19/archives/rousing-soul-to-soul.html|title=Rousing 'Soul to Soul'|last=Thompson|first=Howard|date=August 19, 1971|work=The New York Times|access-date=22 September 2019|archive-date=24 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324183205/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/08/19/archives/rousing-soul-to-soul.html|url-status=live}} Matters came to a head shortly before the Santana III tour in September 1971 began, when Carlos wanted Carabello to leave the group, otherwise Carlos himself would quit. The band started the tour without Carlos, performing amidst shouts from the audience for the guitarist. After several gigs, Carlos reunited with the band to find Carabello, Areas, and manager/promoter Stan Marcum had quit, leaving the band to perform without percussionists. James "Mingo" Lewis was quickly brought in as a temporary replacement after he saw the band live and offered his services.{{sfn|Leng|2000|pp=64–65}} Santana's gig in Lima, Peru in December 1971 brought further trouble, as the outbreak of violence resulted in their equipment being confiscated and the band deported from the country. The incident was a wake-up call for Carlos, who was determined to "bring the madness to an end."{{sfn|Leng|2000|pp=64–65}}
In 1972, Santana had been increasingly influenced by the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Joe Zawinul, who had explored jazz fusion by this time. The fourth album, Caravanserai (1972), marked a number of line-up changes; bassist David Brown left in 1971 before recording started and was replaced by Doug Rauch and Tom Rutley. Carabello was replaced with two percussionists, Armando Peraza and Mingo Lewis. Rolie was replaced by Tom Coster on a few songs. Caravanserai debuted at number 8 in the US.
=1973–1979: Experimentation and consolidation=
File:Santana 1973 (cropped).jpg
13 months after Caravanserai, Santana released Welcome. Welcome was the first of four consecutive albums to achieve gold certification, as opposed to the previous four, which all at least reached platinum status. The album peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200, the lowest of the band's career so far. The next few albums contained a more experimental style than their previous work, beginning with Borboletta, which fared arguably worse than its predecessor, despite climbing five spots higher on the Billboard album charts in the US.
The group's 1976 release, Amigos, was far more successful. Reaching number 10 on the US charts, and also hitting the top 10 in France, Australia, New Zealand, Austria and the Netherlands, it was a return to the success of their early albums. Festival, did not obtain the same newfound success, but was followed by another successful album, Moonflower, released in 1977. The album was possibly the most successful since Santana III, achieving 2× platinum in the US, and being the first album since 1974's Borboletta, to break the top 10 in the UK. It was characterized by a stylistic shift for the band, as it contained heavier influences from the more conventional sound of the group's early work, while still maintaining the experimental sound of their last few albums.
Their next two releases, Inner Secrets and Marathon, released in 1978 and '79, respectively, were a further musical shift for the band, moving away from the Latin-fused rock music that had characterized their work in the late 1960s and the majority of the '70s, to move towards a more album-oriented, conventional rock sound. These albums, however, fared poorly commercially, although both achieved gold status in the US.
=1980–1997: Commercial decline and seven-year hiatus=
The 1980s started relatively brightly for Santana, with 1981's platinum-selling Zebop!, which also reached the top 20 in several countries, and continued the more conventional rock sound. The following year, Shangó was released; this album marked a steep decline in the band's commercial fortunes, although it still achieved gold status.
The group waited another three years to release the follow-up, the longest break for them so far. 1985's Beyond Appearances was a commercial failure, and their first album not to achieve gold certification. Their following three releases all continued this commercial decline, with the last of these failing to break the Billboard top 100. In the midst of this commercial pitfall, the band stopped recording material for an unprecedented seven years but continued to tour.
=1998–2001: ''Supernatural'' and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame=
In 1998, Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The following year, their album Supernatural (1999) debuted at number 19 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 1 after eighteen weeks. Also reaching No. 1 were two singles: "Smooth", recorded with Rob Thomas, and "Maria Maria" featuring The Product G&B. The album was certified platinum 15 times by the RIAA and sold 30 million copies worldwide.{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum Turns 60! |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum60/#cd-era |website=RIAA |access-date=7 June 2024 |date=2018 |archive-date=26 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426080241/https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum60/#cd-era |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=DHNS |title=Viva Santana! |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/292577/viva-santana.html |website=Deccan Herald |access-date=7 June 2024 |language=en |date=17 November 2012 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102002220/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/292577/viva-santana.html |url-status=live }} Santana's previous number one album had been Santana III in 1971. According to Guinness World Records, this is the longest gap between number one albums.{{Cite web |date=October 1999 |title=Longest gap between US chart album hits |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/76351-longest-gap-between-us-chart-album-hits |access-date=July 1, 2024 |website=Guinness World Records}}Although other gaps between albums that top the charts may be longer, no one else has applied for this record, leaving this still as the official record
Supernatural won eight Grammy Awards, including the award for Album of the Year,{{cite web |title=42nd Annual GRAMMY Awards |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/42nd-annual-grammy-awards |website=grammy.com |access-date=7 June 2024 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308120651/https://www.grammy.com/awards/42nd-annual-grammy-awards |url-status=live }} and also won three Latin Grammy Awards.{{cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |title='I Felt Really, Really High': Carlos Santana Looks Back on His Historic 2000 Grammy Night |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/carlos-santana-grammys-2000-supernatural-smooth-interview-953333/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=7 June 2024 |date=21 February 2020}}
=2002–2012: Dealing with newfound success=
File:Santana Acer Arena (5558204467).jpg
The follow-up to Supernatural came three years later and was highly anticipated by international media and fans alike. On October 22, 2002, Shaman was released worldwide. Although it initially sold briskly (298,973 copies in the US in its first week) and debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, the album's appeal quickly wore off and it soon slid down the charts. Despite this, it went on to sell 2× platinum in the US, and achieved platinum status in several other countries including Australia. The first single released from the album, "The Game of Love", which featured vocals from Michelle Branch, debuted at number 5 on the Hot 100. The album's next four singles failed to chart in most countries, but the final single, "Why Don't You & I", featuring the vocals of Alex Band, reached number 8 on the Hot 100. Musically, the album was a return to a more conventional sound for the group, with a mainly Latin rock-based sound.
With their renewed appeal worn off, another three-year wait saw the release of 2005's All That I Am. The album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 but fared worse internationally, and quickly lost appeal. The album, a continuation of the Latin-rock influenced sound of Shaman, achieved gold certification in the US. A five-year break from recording saw the release of another studio album, Guitar Heaven (2010). Musically it was a drastic change for the band, with a far heavier sound at its core and strong heavy metal influences. It debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200 but marked another decline for the band, failing to achieve gold status.
In 2012 the group released Shape Shifter, which returned to the conventional Latin rock sound and was completely album-oriented, as no singles were released from it. It debuted at number 16 on the Billboard 200.
=2013–2020: Reunion of the classic line-up, ''Corazón'', ''Santana IV'', and ''Africa Speaks''=
On 2 February 2013, Carlos Santana confirmed that he would reunite his classic line-up, most of whom played Woodstock with him in 1969. Santana stated that he was reuniting the group with the intention of recording new music. Confirmed for the reunion were Neal Schon, who was in the band in the early 1970s where he traded lead guitar work with Santana before leaving with founding Santana singer-organist Gregg Rolie in 1973 to form Journey; drummer Mike Shrieve and percussionist Mike Carabello. Santana said of Rolie, who played with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band for the last two years, "I'm pretty sure Gregg's going to do it." In February 2013, Rolie told Radio.com, "it's (the reunion) just a matter of putting it together and going and doing it. I would do it. I think it's a great idea. People would love it. It could be great!"{{cite news|access-date=20 March 2013|url=http://www.presstelegram.com/lifestyle/ci_22679861/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411172707/http://www.presstelegram.com/lifestyle/ci_22679861/|archive-date=11 April 2013|title= Santana Reuniting classic 60's and 70's lineup|work=Press Telegram|date=19 February 2013|author=Smith, Steve}}
In the meantime, on 6 May 2014 Santana released a new studio album entitled Corazón and on 9 September 2014, Corazón – Live from Mexico: Live It to Believe It, a new live album (on CD, DVD and Blu-ray) of their show on 14 December 2013 in Guadalajara, Mexico.{{cite web |url=http://santana.hifi247.com/santana-corazon-live-from-mexico-live-it-to-believe-it-dvd.html |title=Santana – Corazon – Live From Mexico: Live It To Believe It DVD |date=2014 |website=Santana.hifi247.com |access-date=25 October 2014 |archive-date=25 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025140537/http://santana.hifi247.com/santana-corazon-live-from-mexico-live-it-to-believe-it-dvd.html }}
On 15 April 2016, Santana released Santana IV, the wildly anticipated studio album that reunited the early 1970s classic lineup of Carlos Santana (guitar, vocals), Gregg Rolie (keyboards, lead vocals), Neal Schon (guitar, vocals), Michael Carabello (percussion) and Michael Shrieve (drums). The album marked the first time in 45 years – since 1971's multi-platinum classic Santana III – that the quintet had recorded together.{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/carlossantana/photos/a.94203671358.88480.9411551358/10153466174096359/?type=1&theater |title=From Team Santana: April 15th, 2016 marks the release date of Santana IV... |date= 25 January 2016 |website=Facebook |access-date= 10 February 2016}}
The origins for the reunion go back several years, when Schon suggested that he and Carlos Santana record together. Santana liked the idea but went one better, proposing that they recruit Rolie, Shrieve and Carabello for what would be called "Santana IV". After initial writing sessions and rehearsals took place in 2013, the group recorded throughout 2014 and 2015, amassing 16 new tracks that combined all their signature elements – Afro-Latin rhythms, soaring vocals, electrifying blues-psychedelic guitar solos, and irrepressible jubilant percussion work.
About the "Santana IV" team, Santana stated: "It was magical, we didn't have to try to force the vibe – it was immense. From there, we then needed to come up with a balance of songs and jams that people would immediately identify as Santana."{{cite web |url=http://santana.hifi247.com/santana-iv-cd.html |title=Santana IV CD |date=2016 |website=santana.com |access-date=10 February 2016 |archive-date=13 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213005237/http://santana.hifi247.com/santana-iv-cd.html }}
Santana IV features 16 all-new tracks written and produced by the band. Joining the core "Santana IV" band in the studio are current Santana members Karl Perazzo (percussion) and Benny Rietveld (bass), with vocalist Ronald Isley guesting on two cuts.
The first single from Santana IV, entitled "Anywhere You Want to Go", was released on 5 February 2016.{{cite web |url=http://news.iheart.com/articles/rock-news-104703/listen-to-santana-anywhere-you-want-14327897/ |title=Listen to Santana – 'Anywhere You Want To Go' |date=1 February 2016 |website=news.iheart.com |access-date=10 February 2016 |archive-date=24 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224041901/http://news.iheart.com/articles/rock-news-104703/listen-to-santana-anywhere-you-want-14327897/ |url-status=live }}
On 21 October 2016, Santana released Santana IV: Live at the House of Blues Las Vegas on Eagle Rock Entertainment, a new (151 minutes) live album (on DVD/Blu-ray/2CD) of their concert on 21 March 2016 at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada.
In early January 2019, Santana signed with Concord Records{{cite web |url=https://concord.com/concord-music-news/legendary-musician-carlos-santana-signs-with-concord-records |title=Legendary Musician Carlos Santana Signs with Concord Records |date=April 2019 |website=Concord Music |access-date=9 April 2019 |archive-date=20 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420183558/https://concord.com/concord-music-news/legendary-musician-carlos-santana-signs-with-concord-records/ |url-status=live }} and on 25 January, they released In Search of Mona Lisa, a new (5-track) EP.{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-search-of-mona-lisa-mw0003237271 |title=Santana – In Search of Mona Lisa: Review |first=Stephen |last=Erlewine |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=9 April 2019}} The day before, they also released a video for new single, "Do You Remember Me."{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/santana-premiere-do-you-remember-me-music-video|title=Santana Premiere "Do You Remember Me" Music Video|last=Maxwell|first=Jackson|website=guitarworld|date=24 January 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-01-25|archive-date=26 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126220819/https://www.guitarworld.com/news/santana-premiere-do-you-remember-me-music-video|url-status=live}} In March 2019, the band announced plans to release on June 7, 2019, Africa Speaks, their new full-length album produced by Rick Rubin.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/santana-rick-rubin-song-los-invisibles-809641/|title=Hear Santana's Fiery New Rick Rubin-Produced Song 'Los Invisibles'|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=2019-03-18|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-09|archive-date=21 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321015138/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/santana-rick-rubin-song-los-invisibles-809641/|url-status=live}}
2019 marked the 20th anniversary of Carlos Santana's album Supernatural and the 50th anniversary of his performance at Woodstock. Santana headlined a multi-year residency at House of Blues. The band was expected to headline at both Woodstock 50 (which was cancelled){{Cite web|url=https://www.woodstock.com/|title=Woodstock 50 • Aug. 16, 17 & 18 2019 {{!}} Watkins Glen, NY|website=Woodstock 50|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-09|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406191503/https://www.woodstock.com/|url-status=live}} and Bethel Woods' half-centennial celebration in Bethel, NY, in August 2019.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ringo-starr-santana-bethel-woods-woodstock-796958/|title=Ringo Starr, Santana Lead Bethel Woods' 50th Anniversary of Woodstock Celebration|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=2019-02-20|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-09|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406233354/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ringo-starr-santana-bethel-woods-woodstock-796958/|url-status=live}} The band toured in support of the latest album, from April to November 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://tour.santana.com/|title=Santana Fan Club Tickets|website=tour.santana.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-09|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406233354/https://tour.santana.com/|url-status=live}}
=2021-2024: ''Blessings and Miracles''=
On 18 and 20 August 2021, "Move" and "She's Fire", the first and second singles taken from Santana's (then) forthcoming new album Blessings and Miracles, were released, and it was announced that the album would be released on 15 October 2021 via BMG Entertainment.
=2025-present: ''Sentient''=
On 21 February 2025, it was announced the upcoming release (via Candid Records) of Sentient, Santana's new studio album, a retrospective of 11 tracks featuring collaborations with other artists such as Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Miles Davis, Paolo Rustichelli, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and Cindy Blackman Santana,{{cite web |url=https://www.santana.com/news/santana-sentient-available-march-28/ |title=Santana Sentient Available March 28! |date= 21 February 2025 |website=www.santana.com |accessdate= 9 March 2025}} including "Whatever Happens" (a track from Michael Jackson's last album, Invincible), remastered tracks such as "Let the Guitar Play" (a re-work of "Song for Cindy" from Blessings and Miracles featuring Darryl "DMC" McDaniels) or Grammy Awards winner "Blues for Salvador"... and 3 new tracks: Smokey Robinson's "Please Don't Take Your Love", "Coherence" (a track featuring Cindy Blackman Santana) and an instrumental live version of Michael Jackson's "Stranger in Moscow" recorded in 2012 with Carlos as guest of Narada Michael Walden's band.{{cite web |url=https://news.theurbanmusicscene.com/2025/02/santana-to-release-new-album-sentient/ |title=Guitar legend Santana to release new album "Sentient" on March 28th, 2025... |date=21 February 2025 |website=news.theurbanmusicscene.com |accessdate= 9 March 2025}} The album would be on 28 March 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.santana.com/news/santana-releases-sentient-his-passion-filled-retrospective-album/|title=Santana Releases Sentient, His Passion-Filled Retrospective Album|publisher=Santana.com|date=March 28, 2025|accessdate=April 8, 2025}}
Personnel
{{main|List of Santana band members}}
Santana has had various recording and performing lineups in its history, with Santana being the only consistent member.
=Current members=
The {{as of|2024|01|alt=current}} members of Santana are:
class="wikitable" width="100%" border="1"
! width="75" |Image ! width="120" |Name ! width="90" |Years active ! width="160" |Instruments !Release contributions |
{{CSS image crop|Image=Santana_Acer_Arena_(5558151833)_(cropped).jpg|bSize=300|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=40|oLeft=95}}
|1966–present |{{Hlist|lead guitar|vocals|percussion}} |
{{CSS image crop|Image=Santana Acer Arena Sydney (5560384502).jpg|bSize=1050|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=265|oLeft=165}}
|Benny Rietveld |{{Hlist|1990–1992|1997–present}} |bass |{{flatlist|
|
{{CSS image crop|Image=Karl Perazzo of Santana, at the Acer Arena, Sydney (5560384524).jpg|bSize=625|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=425|oLeft=265}}
|Karl Perazzo |1991–present |{{Hlist|percussion|vocals}} |all releases from Milagro (1992) onwards, except Live at the Fillmore 1968 (1997), The Very Best of Santana – Live in 1968 (2007) and The Woodstock Experience (2009) |
|Andy Vargas
|2000–present |{{Hlist|vocals|percussion}} |all releases from All That I Am (2005) onwards, except The Very Best of Santana – Live in 1968 (2007) and The Woodstock Experience (2009) |
{{CSS image crop|Image=Tommy Anthony.jpg|bSize=100|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=15|oLeft=20}}
|2005–present |{{Hlist|rhythm guitar|vocals}} |all releases from Guitar Heaven (2010) onwards |
|David K. Mathews
|2011–present |keyboards |all releases from Corazón (2014) onwards |
|Paoli Mejías
|2013–present |percussion |{{flatlist|
|
{{CSS image crop|Image=Cindy_Blackman_.jpg|bSize=200|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=55|oLeft=60}}
|2015–present |drums |{{flatlist|
|
|Ray Greene
|2016–present |{{Hlist|vocals|percussion|trombone}} |{{flatlist|
|
=Classic lineup=
In addition to Carlos Santana, the band's classic lineup of the band's early success included the following members. It was this lineup that was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
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! width="75" |Image ! width="120" |Name ! width="90" |Years active ! width="160" |Instruments !Release contributions |
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|{{Hlist|1966-1972|2014–2016}} |{{Hlist|organ|piano|keyboards|lead vocals}} |{{flatlist|
|
{{CSS image crop|Image=Santana_(1971).png|bSize=1100|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=235|oLeft=455}}
|{{Hlist|1966-1967|1968–1971|2014–2016}} |{{Hlist|percussion|additional keyboards|vocals}} |{{flatlist|
|
{{CSS image crop|Image=Santana_(1971).png|bSize=1250|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=40|oLeft=640}}
|{{Hlist|1967–1971|1974–1976 {{small|(died 2000)}}}} |bass |{{flatlist|
|
{{CSS image crop|Image=Chepito2015.jpg|bSize=580|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=90|oLeft=310}}
|{{Hlist|1969–1974|1976–1977|1988–1989}} |{{Hlist|percussion|drums|trumpet}} |{{flatlist|
|
{{CSS image crop|Image=OK_Hotel_Reunion_-_Michael_Shrieve_01A_(cropped).jpg|bSize=125|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=15|oLeft=27}}
|{{Hlist|1969–1974|2014–2016}} |{{Hlist|drums|percussion|occasional vocals}} |{{flatlist|
|
Discography
{{main|Santana discography}}
{{div col|colwidth=16em}}
- Santana (1969)
- Abraxas (1970)
- Santana III (1971)
- Caravanserai (1972)
- Welcome (1973)
- Borboletta (1974)
- Amigos (1976)
- Festivál (1977)
- Moonflower (1977)
- Inner Secrets (1978)
- Marathon (1979)
- Zebop! (1981)
- Shangó (1982)
- Beyond Appearances (1985)
- Freedom (1987)
- Spirits Dancing in the Flesh (1990)
- Milagro (1992)
- Supernatural (1999)
- Shaman (2002)
- All That I Am (2005)
- Guitar Heaven (2010)
- Shape Shifter (2012)
- Corazón (2014)
- Santana IV (2016)
- Africa Speaks (2019)
- Blessings and Miracles (2021)
- Sentient (2025){{cite web | url=https://wmgk.com/2024/06/04/carlos-santana-a-musician-should-have-a-few-career-suicide-moments/ | title=Carlos Santana: "A Musician Should Have a Few Career Suicide Moments" | date=4 June 2024 }}
{{div col end}}
Awards and nominations
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Santana}}
Santana has won numerous awards, including eight Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards.{{cite web |title=Artist: Carlos Santana |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/carlos-santana |publisher=The Recording Academy |date=20 November 2019 |access-date=6 December 2019 |archive-date=31 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531100240/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/carlos-santana |url-status=live }} The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998; three of Santana's albums have been inducted the Grammy Hall of Fame (Abraxas in 1999, the original Santana in 2012, and Supernatural in 2025); and one song has been inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame ("Oye Como Va" in 2001).
References
{{Reflist}}
Sources
- {{cite book|last=Leng|first=Simon|title=Soul Sacrifice: The Santana Story|year=2000|publisher=Firefly Publishing|isbn=978-0-946-71929-7}}
External links
- {{Official|https://www.santana.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|nm2065073}}
{{Santana}}
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{{Grammy Award for Album of the Year}}
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{{Latin Grammy Award for Record of the Year}}
{{1998 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
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{{Cindy Blackman Santana}}
{{Woodstock}}
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