Santana

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  • Year:
    1998
  • Inducted by:
    John Popper
  • Category:
    Performers

Introduction

Rocking and relevant since 1966.

Santana’s fusion of jazz, rock and Latin influences built them a hugely successful and lasting reign in the world of rock. Not afraid to shake things up, Santana have collaborated with diverse groups and staged one of the most successful comebacks of all time.

Hall of Fame Essay

1998

Daisann McLane

CRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAANNNNNNGGGGGG! Brrrrrrannng!  Burrrrr-rrrrannng!. 

When Carlos Santana’s guitar wails, the whole world nods with recognition. His unmistakable tone - fat, long and thick with a sustain that seems to sail on for light-years - is one of the handful of trademark guitar sounds in rock & roll.

If that sound were the only gift that Santana had given to rock music, he’d be well deserving of the place he’s about to assume in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program Cover 1998
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1998 Inductee Santana
when you improvise, you really take on a discipline like a samurai.
John Popper

Photography: Kevin Mazur, WireImage