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.

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.

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.

Mike Balitao

October 10, 2013

Name: Mike Balitao, 35 years of age

Location: Bakersfield, California / Oxnard, California

Santana Fan Since: I’ve been a Santana Fan Since 2007.

Why You Love Santana’s Music: I feel in love with his music and I started listening to him on July 2007 it’s really amazing on how him and I connect just like that and man when I hear his music I’m happy. Graceful and very awesome music. Have you ever heard his music suddenly you get these goose bumps? That’s how I feel his emotion when he plays the guitar. He puts so much feeling that the guitar cry. Also I love all his music. My 1st favorite music of his was “Samba Pa Ti” and the 1st time I heard it I cry because I just so love the song. 2nd is “Oye Como Va” that’s a good beat, then “Europa”, then “Black Magic Woman”, etc. It’s gonna make ya dance cry and have goose bump at the same time. I can name a lot of his song I have his Supernatural album the Abraxas, Shaman, etc. My Favorite songs of his was “Samba Pa Ti”, “Europa”, “Waiting”, “I love You Much Too Much”, “Maria Maria”, “Smooth”, “El Farol”, “Curacion”, “Jingo”, “Incident At Neshabur”, “Cry Baby Cry”, “Brotherhood”, “Serpents and Doves”, “Praise”, “Black Magic Woman”, “Oye Como Va”, “Just Feel Better”, “Make Somebody Happy”, “Shape Shifter”, ETC., a lots more.

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When: I’ve seen Santana 2 times. 1st was at Hard Rock Las Vegas on September 1, 2010. 2nd was at Rabo Bank in Bakersfield on September 27, 2011.

Random Santana-related Fact: I bought his perfumes and shirts.

Marvin Castillo

October 9, 2013

Name: Marvin Castillo

Location: San Diego, California

Santana Fan Since: I was in 7th grade in 1974. Santana’s Greatest Hits was my first record.

Why You Love Santana’s Music: It transcends all genres, ages, continents, etc. The vibe hits you right in the middle of your soul!

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When:
I have seen him at least 10-12 times. They have all been in Chula Vista’s Amphitheater except for two times in San Diego’s Mission Bay Park.

Random Santana-related Fact: My son Brian, who is now 17 years old, attended the taping of the Supernatural DVD in LA County with his mother and he was lucky enough to get up on stage at a concert in Chula Vista and played the maracas with Carlos and Sonny Sandoval of POD. I am attaching a picture that his mom took that night. He was only 7 or 8 years old (I can’t remember if Carlos played down here in 2002 or 2003 on that tour).

Donna Cozzi

October 7, 2013

Name: Donna Marie Cozzi

Location: Bronx, New York

Why You Love Santana’s Music: I love Santana’s music because Carlos’s Guitar, Raul’s congas, plus Tony and Andy’s singing brings me the emotions that make me truly feel alive: Happiness, Peace, Joy, and to dance to every beat, sing along to the words of every song… and really “feel the music” in my belly… is what makes me truly love Santana’s music…

Especially when we live in a world that is not filled with those emotions of happiness, peace and joy…

Carlos has the “natural gift” to do that… his music inspires those feelings, to me… to be a kind and compassionate person, as I have always been, to everyone I meet. I believe I have that same connection spiritually that Carlos portrays through his music… and I was truly honored when Carlos approached me from the stage on September 19, 2010 in Wantagh, NY, and reached down to hold my hand… and when I turned around to my seat, everyone was smiling at me and it felt like they saw true happiness on my face… that was something I will never forget…

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live and Where/When:

• Wantagh, NY: August 10, 2002 – Rob Thomas did Smooth
• Wantagh, NY: June 21, 2003 – Angelique Kidjo opened up
• Wantagh, NY: September 17, 2006 – VIP Party for Fan Club East Coast
• Las Vegas, NV: September 2008 – Hard Rock Hotel Show
• Madison Square Garden, NYC: I think it was February of 2009
• Wantagh, NY: September 19, 2010 – Steve Windwood opened up

Random Santana-related Fact: My Jeep Liberty Sport Truck was purchased at a Jeep dealer located in Yonkers, NY and one of the salesmen was named “Carlos Santana”

Karen Popelak

October 4, 2013

Name: Karen Popelak

Location: Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey

Santana Fan Since: 1969

How Many Times You’ve Seen Carlos Live: At least fifteen to twenty times – I will have to pull out all of my old ticket stubs.

Why You Love Santana’s Music: In 1969 I was sixteen years old and the sound of “Soul Sacrifice” filled the air as a generation of youth watched Woodstock transform the nation. Carlos Santana!!!!! Who could help but fall in love with him and his music. The early 70’s brought more albums and more songs to inspire. My younger brother and I spent many hours listening to Carlos’s guitar. In 1977 I met my husband and we fell in love listening to Moonflower. It still gives me chills when I hear the first rifts of “I’ll Be Waiting”. It seemed like the song was made for us. In 1981 when our daughter was born the sound of “I Love You Too Much” filled our small apartment. The 80’s brought two more children and lots of Santana albums. As the kids were growing up, our “quiet time” always included Carlos and still does. By 2000 we were celebrating our twentieth anniversary and the Supernatural album had just come out. What a phenomenal compilation of talents! We played the songs over and over again and shared them with our friends and family. It was great seeing a new generation appreciate his music. Fortunately we are now able to see Carlos every time he visits the area. I can’t count the number of times we have seen him in Atlantic City and the Philadelphia area. We were very excited to see that he will be playing in Las Vegas for two years and plan to travel there specifically to see him and we already have our tickets for July 20 in Atlantic City. I was going to say that Carlos is like family, but he is more than family – he is the spirit that has inspired us through the years. Through good times and sorrow, his music never fails to soothe the soul. Thank you, Carlos, for being such a big part of our lives. Peace and love to you!