In 1969, the band Santana not only wasn’t widely known, they hadn’t even released their first album, Santana. Though they had signed a deal with CBS Records, they were still in production at the time the Woodstock Festival was being booked.
However, Santana had a powerful ally in Bill Graham, a San Franciscan promoter (and, at one time, considered the top music promoter in the world), manager, and well known personality in the music business. Graham convinced the people assembling the acts for Woodstock to include Santana on the roster. Luckily it worked out well for everyone concerned. Check out the new video for this guitar and percussion-driven song by the leading Santana Tribute and Latin-rock band.
Latin-Rock Video
Early on Saturday, August 16th, 1969, as the band knew they had many hours to go before their set, some of the band members, including Carlos himself, decided to drop acid. (It must be remembered that during that stage of the ’60s, such an act might be considered akin to taking an aspirin or having a lite beer.)
The story continues, the band was then informed that, it was “go on now,” or “don’t go on at all.” Quite a quandary! It’s a testament to their musical ability that they not only played, but in fact tore up the stage! Check out the new video for this guitar and percussion-driven song by the leading Santana Tribute and Latin-rock band.
Latin-Rock Video
- “Waiting” the instrumental guitar/organ solo piece which leads off their debut album Santana;
- “You Just Don’t Care” a bluesy number with a descending riff reminiscent of Chicago’s “I’m A Man,” with Gregg Rolie’s growling vocals;
- “Savor” another instrumental number which is primarily an organ solo;
- “Jingo” a one-chord song with an irresistible beat originally conceived by Nigerian percussionist Babatunde Olatunji;
- “Persuasion,” a gritty blues number sung by Rolie;
- “Soul Sacrifice” a 12-minute instrumental which is the cut that appears in the film, Woodstock; and
- “Fried Neckbones” a cover of a song co-written by Willie Bobo (who was the original performer of “Evil Ways”).
All the songs except Fried Neckbones made the original cut on Santana’s self-titled debut album (Fried Neckbones appears on later, extended versions of the record), but it was Soul Sacrifice that the public remembers. This was due in no small part to its appearance in the film. Most accurate renditions of Santana songs anywhere. Hear their versions of Black Magic Woman, Europa, Smooth, more.
Santana Tribute Band
