Carlos Santana

Early on he emulated his heroes–-John Lee Hooker, T. Bone Walker, and B.B. King—who he heard on powerful American radio stations when their signals crossed the border.

In 1961, Carlos moved to San Francisco, where he later formed the Santana Blues Band. The cool, soulful riffs and rhythms of their innovative Latin-blues sound made them giants of the late ’60s era-defining Bay Area music scene. Santana’s fame soon grew far beyond its parameters while their artistry remained true to its free-flying spirit. By the decade’s end, they’d performed on the Ed Sullivan Show and made an indelible global mark with a crowd-detonating performance at the original Woodstock in 1969.

Santana’s extensive recorded music legacy also had out-sized success from the start. Carlos achieved double-platinum and #4 Billboard status out of the gate with the classic 1969 debut LP Santana, which introduced “Soul Sacrifice” and “Evil Ways.” Also #1, 1970’s Abraxas boasted “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Come Va,” and Carlos’ earliest recordings scored a triple play smash when ’71’s Santana III hit #1 as well.