Carlos Santana

Guitarist Carlos Santana first recorded with his band Santana in 1969, combining electrified blues guitar with Afro-Cuban rhythms. Part of the San Francisco music scene, their 1970 album Abraxas has been a reliable seller for three decades, and features some of Santana's best known songs, including "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va." The personnel in Santana has changed many times over the years, and Carlos has worked with several other popular artists, including Buddy Miles, Herbie Hancock, Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews. In 1999 Santana was again on the charts with the album Supernatural, which featured the hit single "Smooth."

Extra credit: In 1998 Santana was inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame... Prior to recording and touring as Santana, Carlos called the band Santana Bluesband (also Santana Blues Band).