Santana

One note from Carlos Santana’s guitar and you know exactly who it is. Sixty years after the band first came together in San Francisco, that singing, sustaining tone still lights up Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio.

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What’s new with Santana

• A Lifetime Achievement Grammy. The Recording Academy honored Carlos Santana in January 2026.
• Back in Las Vegas. His House of Blues residency at Mandalay Bay returns in November 2026, with more dates in January and May 2027.
• A busy 2026 on the road. The “Oneness” tours included a summer run with the Doobie Brothers.
• Family band. Son Salvador Santana joined in 2025, and the latest album, Sentient, came out in March 2025.

Station picks: the Santana songs to start with

Our five essentials:

1. Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen (1970). Fleetwood Mac’s song, reinvented with congas and fire.
2. Oye Como Va (1970). Tito Puente’s cha-cha, turned into a rock radio staple.
3. Evil Ways (1969). The first hit, all organ swirl and Latin groove.
4. Smooth (1999). With Rob Thomas: 12 weeks at No. 1 and a career rebirth.
5. Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile) (1976). Pure guitar poetry, and a slow dance for the ages.

Three deep cuts worth your time:

1. Soul Sacrifice (1969). The Woodstock showstopper, with Michael Shrieve’s legendary drum solo.
2. Samba Pa Ti (1970). A tender instrumental that shows off Carlos’s tone like nothing else.
3. Song of the Wind (1972). Gorgeous, spiritual guitar from Caravanserai.

If you like Santana, try

• The Doobie Brothers: Santana’s 2026 tour partners
• The Eagles: another legend holding court in Las Vegas
• Chicago: horns, grooves and late-’60s roots
• Deep Purple: virtuoso playing with a heavier edge

Santana on tour

Last verified October 12, 2026. Always confirm with the official site before buying tickets.

The residency is billed as “An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live.” More legends on the road: Classic Rock Concerts & Tours 2026–2027.

Santana quick facts

• Formed: 1966, San Francisco
• Band today: Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman Santana, Benny Rietveld, Karl Perazzo, Andy Vargas, Tommy Anthony, David K. Mathews, Paoli Mejías, Ray Greene and Salvador Santana
• Signature albums: Santana (1969), Abraxas (1970), Santana III (1971), Caravanserai (1972), Supernatural (1999)
• Defining moment: Woodstock, August 1969, before the first album was even out
• Honors: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1998; Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 2026
• Official site: santana.com

Santana FAQ

Where can I see Santana live?
At his Las Vegas residency at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay: November 2026, January 2027 and May 2027.

What is Santana’s biggest hit?
“Smooth” with Rob Thomas (1999), which spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Where can I hear Santana?
On Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio, free and live 24/7 on the web and in our iPhone and Android apps. Want a favorite? Request it here.

Sources: santana.com tour, Grammy.com, Blabbermouth, Santana (band). Last verified October 12, 2026.