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.