Dennis Colgan

October 20, 2013

Name: Dennis Colgan

Location: Plainville, Connecticut

Santana Fan Since: 1969

Why You Love Santana’s Music: In the late 60s it was commonplace to share a rental walk up flat with some friends to listen to music and party. One day that I showed up there was music coming out of a speaker above a door draped over a door covered in beads to the living room, and for the first time I heard a sound like none other I had ever heard. First the percussion got my attention on “Persuasion” then the Guitar came in and that was it.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: I’m looking forward to seeing him for the 27th time on July 28 (2012) with the Allman Brothers. My first time was at Rhode Island College when they opened for the Jefferson Airplane in 1970 which was the beginning of my Santana concert experience.

I don’t have a list of dates and locations. Among the most memorable places I’ve seen Santana are:

In 1973, the 6,000 seat Rhode Island Arena in Providence, which also hosted Jimi Hendrix and Eric Burdon concerts. This is where I introduced my 14 year old brother to his first Santana Concert. 43 years later, I brought his 14 year old son to the Mohegan Sun to see Santana for the very first time. I was thrilled to be a part of his experience. My nephew is a talented musician with any instrument he picks up and Santana songs are among his favorites when he’s playing his guitar.

Other spots include:
North Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Hartford, Connecticut (3 or 4 times including his 50th birthday)
Wallingford, Connecticut
Mansfield, Massachusetts (the Bob Dylan show)
Springfield, Massachusetts (Steel Pulse opened in this great old theatre)
New Orleans Jazz Fest – New Orleans, Louisiana
Jones Beach, New York (we were lucky enough to be at the Inner Sanctum party)
Lake Compounce – Bristol, Connecticut (multiple times)
Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, Connecticut (multiple times)
New Haven, Connecticut

And a place that no one remembers, an obscure concert that probably is not in the memory of many, Pine Crest venue in Connecticut with Al Di Meola. It was sweltering and at least 4 hours long between Carlos and Al. Great show in the early 80s, maybe even 1980.

Rafael Martinez

October 19, 2013

Name: Rafael L. Martinez, Jr.

Location: Deltona, Florida

Santana Fan Since: 1969

Why You Love Santana’s Music: Back to my roots music Salsa Rock being from Spanish Harlem doesn’t hurt.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: I’ve lost count in how many times I’ve seen Carlos… Red Rocks with Mana, Mile High with The Grateful Dead, RFK Stadium with The Who and The Clash, Fiddler’s Green with Jeff Beck and many, many more.

Random Santana Related Fact: I’m good friends with Rodney Holmes who played drums for Carlos on the Supernatural album.

Michael Perigo

October 18, 2013

Name: Michael Perigo

Location: Indianapolis (originally Lafayette), Indiana

Santana Fan Since: 1970

Why You Love Santana’s Music: I’m a religious person and Santana’s music is deeply spiritual and almost sacramental and revelatory for me.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: I’ve been to every concert in Indianapolis except 1986 (or thereabouts).

Random Santana Related Fact: My favorite cologne is “Carlos” and I have all my concert ticket stubs.

Trick Stephens

October 17, 2013

Name: Trick Stephens

Location: I live on Treasure Island in San Francisco, California

Santana Fan Since: I became an instant fan in Spring 1969

Why You Love Santana’s Music: I realized when I heard the Santana Band the first time that it was the music I didn’t even know I was looking for. I was a senior in high school and had been into music since I could remember, but the sound of Santana moved my entire mind and body like it had never moved before. To this day, when I hear the music of Santana, or something that bears resemblance, I relive those early moments of complete abandon to the music.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: All together I have experienced Santana live at least seven or eight times. Little did I know that just a few months after seeing him at the Woodside High School gym, my second experience with Santana would be at my Palo Alto High School all night grad party, where the band played two amazing sets. It was about the time that they had gone into the studio to record the first album, and two months before Woodstock. I also witnessed one of the first, if not the first time that Santana played Black Magic Woman live, at The Fillmore in early 1971. I trust I was one of the few people who recognized it as being a cover of Peter Green and Fleetwood Mac’s original version, since I had the their record album in my collection. The most recent was at The Warfield in San Francisco. It was the first time that I saw Carlos’ son, Salvador play with his father. Since then I have twice met up with Salvador and had some great talks with him about his music and family.

Random Santana-related Fact: My first meeting with Carlos took place in the boys’ locker room between sets during my high school grad night.

Margie Lucido

October 16, 2013

Name: Margie Lucido

Location: New Jersey

Santana Fan Since: I never envisioned myself as a subscriber to a “fan newsletter”, or someone who would write a “fan letter”. However, 15 years ago, I did write a letter to the Carlos Santana expressing my admiration and connection to his music. I just felt it was something I had to do. I have been listening to Carlos Santana since 1967!

Why You Love Santana’s Music: From reading about Carlos’ childhood, I am grateful that he pressed on, using his gifts to bring amazing music to the world. He is a true survivor. His music resonates not only the voice of hope, but encourages the young and our future to do as he has done…send a message of peace, love and harmony in our world. This is the FIRST and LAST reason I love Carlos Santana and his musicians. Besides…he is THEE most extraordinary, best and talented, beyond measure, number ONE guitarist this world has known. He has remained steadfast in his mission and journey.

Carlos Santana, an icon. His music will live forever.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: I am not ashamed to say I am 62 years old, and have attended Santana concerts, at least 10, with my husband Joe, everywhere we have lived in the country. After 4 years in the Air Force, in Germany, our first Santana concert was in central NY. We attended concerts in St. Louis, while living there, and after moving to NJ in 1982, attended all of our remaining concerts here. I think a big part of my dedication and affinity to Carlos’ music is that over the years I have seen the transition in his music come full circle in his life, as I have gone through much in my own life.

Where would I love to see Carlos Santana most?! That is an easy one! Now that he is soon to be a constant at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Casino & Hotel, Las Vegas, THAT would be my venue of choice!

Random Santana-related Fact: Hmmm. Woodstock 1969. I was in Germany. My brother was in Woodstock (as close as he could get)! He saved me the newspaper clippings which included pictures of Santana on stage! He heard Carlos, but he could not SEE him!

2nd Random fact: We were at a Santana concert in NJ, and were surprised with the debut of “Smooth” with Rob Thomas on stage with Carlos! It was an amazing night, fabulous concert and the crowd was crazy psyched!

My #3 random Carlos moment was winning the SIGNED Shape Shifter album from the fan website! It hangs between my framed Abraxas and Santana albums. Thanks again from a very grateful fan…Margie

Gloria Hall

October 15, 2013

Name: Gloria Velasquez Hall

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Santana Fan Since: 1960s

Why You Love Santana’s Music: I grew up on Santana music back in the 60s and 70s. I went to school dances with groups that played Santana music.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: I have never had the pleasure to see Carlos Santana in person just couldn’t afford it.

Random Santana-related Fact: I had a bird name Carlos. My favorite song Europa.

Frank Geusebroek

October 14, 2013

Name: Frank Geusebroek

Location: Zandvoort, The Netherlands

Santana Fan Since: 1972

Why You Love Santana’s Music: How can you possibly not? Okay it touched my core since my parents gave me the vinyl album with that white pigeon for my 14th birthday.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: I have to guess, must be 15 times or more.

Random Santana-related Fact (for example, your cat is named Carlos): I’m not superstitious so I don’t do such things (sorry). It’s just a cure for me like listening the blues.

Jason Webb

October 13, 2013

Name: Jason Webb

Location: Port Angeles, Washington

Santana Fan Since: 1990

Why You Love Santana’s Music: I love Santana’s music because it’s soulful, positive and inspiring.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: I’ve seen Carlos play upwards of twenty times (I lost count), mostly at the L.A. Greek Theater, but also at the Pacific Amphitheater, Universal Theater, Hollywood Bowl and The Palms in Vegas.

Random Santana-related Fact: After seeing Santana perform, I saved up and bought a PRS guitar to be more like Carlos.

Once, after seeing Santana at the Greek, I got into a car accident (I wasn’t driving) and ended up in the hospital. I still made it to see Santana band with BB King the following day at a blues festival. It helped the healing process.

Carlos Tsang

October 12, 2013

Name: Carlos Tsang

Location: Hong Kong

Santana Fan Since: Over 25 years ago

Why You Love Santana’s Music: I love each note that Carlos play that really shake my heart, I heard about Carlos (Santana) that my elder brother introduced to me when I was 10, believe it is generation to generation, and the word “Legend” not current or past but future.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: 80’s, 90′ and 20′ Santana will visit Hong Kong every 4 or 6 years. But still regret I can’t see playing live “Blues for Salvador” in HKG.

Random Santana-related Fact: As you can see my name also called “Carlos” that given from a father (Church) while I was born in 1963.

Attached photo is my son Yannis which mean a gift from GOD, now he is 8, also Santana fan.

Cheryl Cole

October 11, 2013

Name: Cheryl Cole

Location: Munster, Indiana

Santana Fan Since: 1972

Why You Love Santana’s Music: I love Santana’s music because it touches my soul…it is timeless because of that…Carlos is timeless.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: I have seen Santana once in London, once in Illinois, and once in Vegas. My 4th time will be in May when we see him in Vegas again…can’t wait.

Random Santana-related Fact: We travelled to London and planned our trip around his concert and it was awesome. My 85 year old mother went with us and really enjoyed it.