Carlos Santana Reflects on Experiencing Jimi Hendrix's Unforgettable Live Show
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Synopsis
Carlos Santana shares his unforgettable experience of seeing Jimi Hendrix perform live, describing it as the best concert he ever attended. He highlights the magical atmosphere and the influence of LSD on his perception of the event.
Key Takeaways
- Carlos Santana considers watching Jimi Hendrix live his best concert experience.
- The concert took place at the Northern California Folk-Rock Festival in 1969.
- Other notable artists included Jefferson Airplane and Chuck Berry.
- Carlos reflected on the hallucinogenic effects of LSD during the performance.
- The Fillmore influenced his musical education significantly.
Los Angeles, April 19 (NationPress) Iconic guitarist Carlos Santana has opened up about the most remarkable concert he has ever experienced. He disclosed that his pinnacle moment was witnessing another legendary guitarist, Jimi Hendrix.
Carlos reminisced about Hendrix's performance at the Northern California Folk-Rock Festival while he was under the influence of acid, as reported by Female First UK.
The 77-year-old musician's own band, Santana, was also featured in the lineup of this music event organized by promoter Bob Blodgett, which took place at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, California, from May 23 to May 25, 1969.
According to Female First UK, the festival also showcased acts such as Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat, Chuck Berry, Taj Mahal, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience among others. Carlos expressed that witnessing Jimi perform was “beyond superlatives,” although he acknowledges that the LSD he consumed might have enhanced his recollection of the event.
During his appearance on the 'In Service Of' podcast, he stated, "The best show I ever witnessed was Jimi Hendrix live at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds. I have seen Jimi numerous times, but on that day, he was beyond supernatural. His artistry that day, the way he wielded that guitar, was celestial. It was extraordinary. I had never heard him play better – and I’ve seen him play many times after. But that day was particularly special.”
He continued, "Naturally, we were all on acid, including him. But he transported us to places in the universe, across the galaxy, and back in an instant. We were all thinking, 'Who is this guy?'"
The 'Black Magic Woman' guitarist also reflected on his upbringing in San Francisco and his experiences at the Fillmore, which he regards as his “alma mater.” He shared, “I had the chance to see Cream, Arthur Brown … I would often say, ‘I don’t have any money for you, but I need to learn, so please let me in!' I frequented the Fillmore like a sponge, absorbing everything from The Who, to Howlin’ Wolf, to Steve Miller, to Chuck Berry. I’m still a sponge.”
Now recognized by younger audiences for hits like 'Smooth' featuring Rob Thomas, Santana expressed his desire for the band’s message to resonate with all listeners.
