Santana

Santana was formed in 1967 as the Carlos Santana Blues Band by Carlos Santana, Tom Fraser, Mike Carabello, Rod Harper, David Brown, and Gregg Rolie. In 1967, this lineup played an audition for Chet Helms at the Avalon Ballroom. Helms, as well as other Family Dog personnel, told Santana that his band would never make it in the San Francisco music scene and suggested that Santana keep his day job washing dishes at Tick Tock's Drive-In on 3rd Street. In 1969, Santana exploded on the music world following a stellar performance at Woodstock. Santana went on to a long-lasting career that continues today.

Helms could not have been more wrong. During their recording years, Santana released dozens of albums and singles, with at least five albums hitting the Top Five on the Billboard charts. Santana—both with the band and solo—has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. Rolling Stone Magazine named Carlos Santana Number 15 on its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, and Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. In addition to these honors, Santana has received 10 Grammy awards and three Latin Grammy awards during his long career.