# Santana (band)
**Santana** is an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1966 by Mexican-born guitarist [Carlos Santana](https://www.edgepedia.org/carlos-santana) (born 1947), first under the name Santana Blues Band, known for fusing Latin percussion with blues, rock, and jazz[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/santana-mn0000295756) • [2](https://santana.com/Carlos-Santana-Biography/). The band's 1969 [Woodstock](https://www.edgepedia.org/woodstock) performance and its first three albums, *Santana* (1969), *Abraxas* (1970), and *Santana III* (1971), brought [Latin rock](https://www.edgepedia.org/latin-rock) into the mainstream, and the 1999 album *Supernatural* staged one of rock's most successful comebacks[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/santana-mn0000295756) • [3](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-santana-140358.html).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Formed | Santana Blues Band, San Francisco, 1966, by Carlos Santana with guitarist-keyboardist-singer Gregg Rolie[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/santana-mn0000295756) |
| Breakthrough | Woodstock Music & Art Fair, 2 p.m. Saturday, August 16, 1969, a 45-minute set that turned a San Francisco favorite into a national act[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/santana-caravanserai/) |
| Early chart run | *Santana* reached #4 on the Billboard album chart; *Abraxas* and *Santana III* both reached #1[5](https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/news/detail/santana-50-years-of-peace-music) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/santana-mn0000295756) |
| *Supernatural* (1999) | About 25 million sales and a record-breaking nine Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for "Smooth"[3](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-santana-140358.html) • [6](https://www.grammy.com/artists/santana/8052/) |
| Hall of Fame | Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, Performer category, inducted by John Popper[7](https://rockhall.com/inductees/santana/) |
| Longevity | With 2014's *Corazón*, one of only two music acts in Billboard history with a Top Ten album in six consecutive decades from the 1960s on[2](https://santana.com/Carlos-Santana-Biography/) |
| Recent activity | Oneness Tour 2026 with The Doobie Brothers; a Las Vegas House of Blues residency in its 14th year; the 2026 single "Mi Gran Amor" with Becky G[8](https://santana.com/news/santana-the-doobie-brothers-announce-the-oneness-tour-2026/) • [9](https://santana.com/) |
## Formation and the San Francisco scene
Carlos Santana grew up in Mexico, first in Autlán and later in Tijuana, where his father played violin in mariachi bands; the boy started on violin and turned to guitar, falling in love with blues players such as B.B. King, Jimmy Reed, and [Muddy Waters](https://www.edgepedia.org/muddy-waters)[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/santana-caravanserai/). After the family settled in San Francisco's Mission district, he formed the Santana Blues Band and began gigging around town[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/santana-caravanserai/). Congas and timbales entered the mix through percussionists Michael Carabello (in 1967) and José Areas (in 1969), setting the group apart from Fillmore-scene bands rooted in American folk[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/santana-caravanserai/). The band's blues-based electric guitar also differentiated it from contemporary Latin groups that typically emphasized wind instruments such as trumpets and trombones[10](https://tpsconsortiumcreatedmaterials.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/NK_Binder-V1.0-7.2023.pdf).
In 1968 the band became a hot attraction in the city, and several record companies offered contracts; it signed with [Columbia Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/columbia-records)[11](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Dick-Clarks%27s-The-First-25-Years-of-Rock-%26-Roll-1981.pdf). [Clive Davis](https://www.edgepedia.org/clive-davis) signed Santana to Columbia in 1968[12](https://apnews.com/article/26f348bd5793aaa2d5f331f21f73ad34).
## Woodstock and the first three albums
Santana was still virtually unknown outside San Francisco when it took the stage at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 1969; by the end of the 45-minute set the band was on its way to stardom[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/santana-caravanserai/). The Woodstock lineup comprised Carlos Santana on guitar, [Gregg Rolie](https://www.edgepedia.org/gregg-rolie) on keyboards, David Brown on bass, [Michael Shrieve](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-shrieve) on drums, and Michael Carabello and José Areas on percussion[13](https://time.com/5645697/woodstock-memorable-performances/). The band appeared in the *Woodstock* film performing "Soul Sacrifice"[11](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Dick-Clarks%27s-The-First-25-Years-of-Rock-%26-Roll-1981.pdf).
The self-titled debut album was released on August 22, 1969, within days of the Woodstock performance[5](https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/news/detail/santana-50-years-of-peace-music) • [14](https://santana.com/Sights-And-Sounds-Complete-Discography/). It climbed to number four on Billboard's album chart during a two-year run, and "Evil Ways" peaked at number nine on the Hot 100 in 1970[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/santana-mn0000295756). *Abraxas*, released in September 1970, reached number one, stayed on the charts for a year and a half, and produced "Black Magic Woman," a Peter Green song that reached number four, and "Oye Como Va," a [Tito Puente](https://www.edgepedia.org/tito-puente) composition that peaked at number 13[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/santana-mn0000295756). In 1971, *Santana III* also charted at number one; it was the last album of the "classic" lineup and the first to include second guitarist [Neal Schon](https://www.edgepedia.org/neal-schon)[5](https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/news/detail/santana-50-years-of-peace-music).
## The 1970s evolution
The band's fourth album, *Caravanserai* (1972, Columbia), marked a turn toward jazz fusion, a largely instrumental convergence of rock, psychedelic, and Afro-Cuban styles[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/santana-caravanserai/). AllMusic's review calls it daring even by Santana's high standards, full of introspective guitar solos but lacking the immediacy of the first two albums[15](https://www.allmusic.com/album/caravanserai-mw0000650738). After the song structures lost their blues grounding, Rolie and Schon lost interest and left to form Journey[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/santana-caravanserai/). The band continued releasing albums through the 1970s, including *Inner Secrets*, with the singles "Well All Right" and "She's Not There," and *Marathon*, released with Columbia in 1979 for the band's tenth anniversary[11](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Dick-Clarks%27s-The-First-25-Years-of-Rock-%26-Roll-1981.pdf).
## Supernatural and the 1999 comeback
By the late 1990s the pioneering Latin rock band's career had fallen into a lull[16](https://www.grammy.com/news/santana-supernatural-cultural-phenomenon-grammy-hall-of-fame-interview/). Clive Davis reconnected with Carlos Santana and suggested an album pairing Santana's own material with collaborations with contemporary artists[12](https://apnews.com/article/26f348bd5793aaa2d5f331f21f73ad34). The result, *Supernatural* (1999), included "Do You Like the Way" with [Lauryn Hill](https://www.edgepedia.org/lauryn-hill), "Maria Maria" with [Wyclef Jean](https://www.edgepedia.org/wyclef-jean), and "Smooth" with Rob Thomas[12](https://apnews.com/article/26f348bd5793aaa2d5f331f21f73ad34). The album sold about 25 million copies and won a record-breaking nine [Grammy Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/grammy-awards)[3](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-santana-140358.html); at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards it took Album of the Year and Best Rock Album, while "Smooth" won Record of the Year and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals[6](https://www.grammy.com/artists/santana/8052/). The Japanese Sony Music profile reports that "Smooth," Santana's first US number-one single, spent 12 consecutive weeks at number one on Billboard, with the album also at number one for 12 weeks[17](https://ssl.sme.co.jp/artist/santana/profile/).
## Honors
Santana was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 in the Performer category, with Carlos Santana, Jose Chepito Areas, David Brown, Mike Carabello, Gregg Rolie, and Michael Shrieve honored on the induction plaque[7](https://rockhall.com/inductees/santana/). The Hall's profile credits the band's fusion of jazz, rock, and Latin influences with a hugely successful and lasting reign in rock, and notes it staged one of the most successful comebacks of all time[7](https://rockhall.com/inductees/santana/). The Recording Academy's artist page lists 8 Grammy wins and 12 nominations for Santana[6](https://www.grammy.com/artists/santana/8052/), while the official biography states 10 Grammy Awards including the record-tying nine for *Supernatural*, plus three Latin Grammys[2](https://santana.com/Carlos-Santana-Biography/). Carlos Santana also received Billboard's Century Award in 1996, the [Billboard Latin Music Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/billboard-latin-music-awards)' 2009 Lifetime Achievement honor, and the [Kennedy Center Honors](https://www.edgepedia.org/kennedy-center-honors) on December 8, 2013; Rolling Stone named him number 15 on its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time[2](https://santana.com/Carlos-Santana-Biography/). *Abraxas* was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999[18](https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award/).
## Recent activity
The band remains active on the road. The Oneness Tour 2026, promoted by Live Nation, pairs Santana with The Doobie Brothers across North America, opening with two Santana-only evenings at Red Rocks on May 27 and 28, 2026, with The Doobie Brothers joining from June 13 in Chicago through the August 27 finale in Shakopee, Minnesota[8](https://santana.com/news/santana-the-doobie-brothers-announce-the-oneness-tour-2026/). A separate spring leg of the Oneness Tour ran through southern and eastern US theaters and casinos beginning March 28, 2026, in Thackerville, Oklahoma[19](https://santana.com/news/santana-announces-oneness-tour-2026-us-dates/). In Las Vegas, *An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live*, presented by SiriusXM at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay, is in its 14th year, with November 2026, January 2027, and May 2027 dates announced[9](https://santana.com/).
New music continues. In 2026 Santana released "Mi Gran Amor" with Becky G, a track honoring Latino immigrants in the United States and the third single of a new musical chapter that includes collaborations with Mexican stars Grupo Frontera on "Me Retiro" and Carín León on "Velas," both led by Edgar Barrera in composition and production[9](https://santana.com/). Recent albums listed by Apple Music include *Sentient* (2025), *Blessings and Miracles* (2021), *Africa Speaks* (2019), *Power of Peace* (2017), *Santana IV* (2016), and *Corazón* (2014)[20](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/santana/217174). *Santana IV*, a 2016 reunion with the revered early-1970s lineup, debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and became the band's fourteenth Top 10 album[2](https://santana.com/Carlos-Santana-Biography/).
## References
1. [Santana – Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/santana-mn0000295756)
2. [Carlos Santana Biography, Santana.com](https://santana.com/Carlos-Santana-Biography/)
3. [Album: Santana (Shaman review), The Independent, 18 October 2002](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-santana-140358.html)
4. [Santana: Caravanserai Album Review, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/santana-caravanserai/)
5. [Santana: 50 Years of Peace & Music, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts](https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/news/detail/santana-50-years-of-peace-music)
6. [Santana Grammy Awards and Nominations, Recording Academy](https://www.grammy.com/artists/santana/8052/)
7. [Santana, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame](https://rockhall.com/inductees/santana/)
8. [Santana & The Doobie Brothers Announce The Oneness Tour 2026, Santana.com](https://santana.com/news/santana-the-doobie-brothers-announce-the-oneness-tour-2026/)
9. [Santana official website, News and Tour](https://santana.com/)
10. [Lesson 1.3: Carlos Santana Source Exploration, TPS Consortium](https://tpsconsortiumcreatedmaterials.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/NK_Binder-V1.0-7.2023.pdf)
11. [Dick Clark's The First 25 Years of Rock & Roll (1981), WorldRadioHistory](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Dick-Clarks%27s-The-First-25-Years-of-Rock-%26-Roll-1981.pdf)
12. [Clive Davis helped launch or shape the careers of these music stars, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/26f348bd5793aaa2d5f331f21f73ad34)
13. [Watch the 10 Most Memorable Performances at Woodstock, TIME](https://time.com/5645697/woodstock-memorable-performances/)
14. [Complete Discography, Santana.com](https://santana.com/Sights-And-Sounds-Complete-Discography/)
15. [Caravanserai Review by Alex Henderson, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/caravanserai-mw0000650738)
16. [How GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Inductee 'Supernatural' Became A Cultural Phenomenon, Grammy.com](https://www.grammy.com/news/santana-supernatural-cultural-phenomenon-grammy-hall-of-fame-interview/)
17. [サンタナ プロフィール, Sony Music Japan](https://ssl.sme.co.jp/artist/santana/profile/)
18. [GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Award, Recording Academy](https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award/)
19. [Santana Announces Oneness Tour 2026 US Dates, Santana.com](https://santana.com/news/santana-announces-oneness-tour-2026-us-dates/)
20. [Santana, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/santana/217174)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Ensembles and groups › Rock, pop, and metal bands › Rock, indie, and pop groups › Rock bands › Blues rock and Southern rock bands*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license