Carlos Augusto Alves Santana was born in Mexico on July 20, 1947, the son
of a mariachi violinist. Before his teens Carlos was playing the violin and guitar and
upon his family moving to San Francisco he graduated from high school and soon
was influenced by recording stars, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker and B.B. King.

His Santana Blues Band formed in 1966 created a following in northern California
but it was their appearance in front of more than 400,000 music fans at
the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 that led to the singing of a contract
with Columbia records.

In early 1970 the name of the band was shortened to Santana when “Evil Ways”
became their first gold single. It was followed by “Black Magic Woman,” “Oye
Como Va” and a string of highly successful albums that sold in the millions.

Becoming famous worldwide for Latin Rock, Santana won numerous Grammy
Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Visit the official Santana website here