Name: Carlos Santana
Born: July 20, 1947, Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico
Bands he's been in: Santana
Preferred Guitar: PRS, but before this he played the Gibson SG, just like Angus Young.
Favourite Songs that Santana plays:
Early Years:Carlos Santana grew up in Mexico, he was the son of a violinist and started playing the violin when he was 5. He played the violin for 3 years before switching to the guitar when he was 8 years old. A couple of years later, the family moved to Tijuana, located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. At about this time Santana started playing a clubs and bars. Then in the early 60's, the Santana family moved again to San Fransisco. At first Carlos stayed in Tijuana, but then he eventually moved to San Fransisco too. He then went to Mission High School and graduated in June 1965. But through all of this Carlos continued to play the guitar and got even better.
In 1966, Carlos founded a band called Santana Blues Band. After not very long, the band name was shortened to Santana. They then debuted at Filmore West Theater in San Fransisco, on the June 16, 1968. That September, Santana made their recording debut in the exact same place, Filmore West Theater, but they were also accompanied by Mike Bloomfield and AI Kooper.
The Album was called 'The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and AI Kooper'. Santana then signed up with Columbia Records and then recorded another album, named 'Santana'. At that time the band was sextet, consisting of Carlos, guitar, Gregg Rolie, keyboards and vocals, David Brown, bass, Michael Shrieve, drums, Jose "Chepito" Areas, percussion, and Michael Carabello, percussion.
The Band
In 1966, Carlos founded a band called Santana Blues Band. After not very long, the band name was shortened to Santana. They then debuted at Filmore West Theater in San Fransisco, on the June 16, 1968. That September, Santana made their recording debut in the exact same place, Filmore West Theater, but they were also accompanied by Mike Bloomfield and AI Kooper.
The Album was called 'The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and AI Kooper'. Santana then signed up with Columbia Records and then recorded another album, named 'Santana'. At that time the band was sextet, consisting of Carlos, guitar, Gregg Rolie, keyboards and vocals, David Brown, bass, Michael Shrieve, drums, Jose "Chepito" Areas, percussion, and Michael Carabello, percussion.
Shaky Ground
Just before this album went on sale though, Santana toured the States, including playing at Woodstock in 1969, where they were filmed and recorded. So then the album, 'Santana', went on sale and instantly became a massive hit. Two more albums were released, 'Abraxas' (1970), and 'Santana III' (1971), also topping the charts. But after completing the recording and touring of 'Santana III', the original Santana band broke up. Even though the band had broken up, Carlos had retained rights to the band name. So Carlos carried the band 'Santana' from then onwards. The first album after the breakup had Carlos ganging up with singer and drummer, Buddy Miles. They performed in Hawaii and the album was called 'Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles! Live!'. The album hit the Top Ten quickly and eventually went platinum. After that Santana has paired up with various vocalists and musicians to release hit after hit after hit.
Mexican Guitarist!!
