Ernesto's time spent with Carlos Santana

I am writing this letter today in hopes to inform readers of my experience with the musical artist, Carlos Santana, who I often refer to as my “great friend”. Though it was so long ago and the time spent with him was short, the hours that we shared was enough for me to see how compassionate, loyal, noble, and charismatic the rockstar truly is. It is exceptionally easy to see why Santana and artists like him will be loved and admired for generations to come. 

Many years ago (1965), all I knew from Santana were his songs which had African beats behind his playing which we called “Long play”. My friends and I then grew to love his hits Soul Sacrifice (1969), Black Magic Woman (1970) and others. Santana gave rock a new definition and a new sound by mixing Afro-Latino music with blues rock and jazz. I had the opportunity to meet Santana in the year 1976 in my 15 days of vacation from my job in El Salvador. Taking advantage of my 15 days, two of my best friends and I decided to travel to San Francisco, California. It was my first time visiting the gorgeous city of San Francisco, however my friend actually lived there while studying business, and achieving during that time was meeting many people and making many friends which consisted of my always remembered: Carlos Santana. 

I want to tell you that Carlos Santana was born in 1947, the same year in which I was born, and on top of that, I met him in the month of his birthday (July 20). One night we decided to extend his celebrations which he already started with his family, and invited him to one of his favorite places: a Brazilian Night Club. We arrived at the club and the atmosphere was filled with beautiful Brazilian music performed by a Brazilian band that immediately recognized our guest, Carlos, right when we walked in. They greeted him very effusively and asked him to join in on the performance. Being the great guy he is, he agreed and got on stage. He merged rock, blues, jazz, and Brazilian music all with his guitar and gave everyone the perfect balance of genres which they all enjoyed.

After performing several songs with the band, Carlos joined our table that we had reserved for the celebration. It was in the conversations we had that I found out so much about his personality, his way of thinking, his charisma, humility, and humanitarian character. With that said, from that night and to this very day, I continue to consider him a “Very Special Friend."

I also would like to tell you that he has been active since 1965 and currently resides and works doing concerts in Las Vegas, Nevada where he is still loved and admired by the people that easily adore his musical talent.

I met this great character in show business who gave me the inspiration to start practicing the first chords on the first guitar that I bought as soon as I returned to El Salvador. I later on happily showed you[Mila] the first chords which has certainly awoken that taste for guitar within you.

For my part, although I am almost sure that Carlos Santana sadly no longer remembers me, for his multiple shows and because we did not maintain communication throughout this long time that has passed since I met him, I still consider him as one of my “best friends” that I have been lucky enough to have met.