7 Interesting Things About Carlos Santana
He was the first Latin American singer to have a number-one pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100. He has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Carlos Santan is a musician, songwriter, and producer who was born in Mexico City before moving to Tijuana at five years old. Here are some interesting facts about this talented artist.
Carlos Santana’s Early Life
A child prodigy, Carlos Santana’s musical talents were first recognized by his father when he was only three years old. At six, he began performing at a local Tijuana club. After a brief stint at the Juarez Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, he went on to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
In 1966, while still attending Berkley, Santana formed The Santana Blues Band and released “Soul Sacrifice,” which eventually became one of his most popular songs. This is an iconic song that has been covered by many artists including Rod Stewart and The Rolling Stones.
Carlos then went on to release two more albums with the band before going solo in 1969 and releasing his self-titled debut album “Carlos Santana.” It sold over two million copies and produced the hit single “Evil Ways.” In 1970, he released another number-one album titled “Buenos Ayres” before joining John Lennon’s band for their 1976 world tour.
Santana travelled back to Tijuana after he graduated from Berkley and married his childhood sweetheart Deborah Lee Cook. The couple had three daughters together: Karen Maria (1968), Suzette Marie (1972), and Stephanie Yvette (1976).
In 2012 Carlos was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first class; inductees are chosen by either fellow artists or members of the public.
How Carlos Was Discovered?
Santana’s mother found him playing the guitar in a Tijuana park. He was so talented, she sent him to Juarez to study music at age 12. After that, he moved back to Mexico City where he became one of the most successful Latin artists of all time.
His Albums And Songs
1. “Smooth”
Released in 1972, “Smooth” is the first single from Santana’s second album, Abraxas. The song was written by Santana and his bassist at the time, Michael Carabello. It went on to win a Grammy for Best R&B Song in 1973.
2. “Santana”
Santana released his self-titled album in 1969 which went on to become a number-one hit on the Billboard 200 chart. This album has been certified diamond by the RIAA for selling more than 10 million copies in North America. The album features his hit songs including “Oye Como Va” and “Black Magic Woman.”
3. “Maria Maria”
The song was originally written as a possible opening act for Santana’s tour back in 1978 but was not recorded until 1981 when he collaborated with Michael Jackson on his Thriller album. In 1983, it became one of the most popular songs of that year and also earned him two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
4. “Winning”
This single reached number one on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. It helped boost his sales to more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.
5. “Jungleland”
One of his most famous songs, this tune reached number 12 on the US charts.
His Inspirations
This musician is known for his wide range of influences, including jazz, blues, and rock music. Carlos Santana was influenced by groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in his early years. In fact, he has a song called “Santana Blues” on his debut album. His love for the blues led to him becoming one of the most respected guitarists in rock history.
What Is His Net Worth?
Carlos Santana is worth an estimated $150 million.
Conclusion
Carlos Santana is a well-known musician, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and activist. He has won nine Grammy Awards and is one of the Top 100 most influential people in the world.
