Carlos Santana discusses watching Jimi Hendrix’s greatest live show
Carlos Santana recently reminisced about witnessing one of the best live performances in history by legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Santana shared details about this unforgettable experience, recalling how Hendrix played at the Northern California Folk-Rock Festival. During the event, Santana and his band performed at the music event at Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, California. The festival lineup included iconic artists such as Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat, Chuck Berry, Taj Mahal, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Santana was particularly struck by Jimi’s performance that day, describing it as “beyond superlatives” and noting the transformative effect it had on him as an audience member.
Reflecting on the experience during an appearance on the ‘In Service Of’ podcast, Santana elaborated on the profound impact of Hendrix’s performance. He recounted, “Best show I ever saw was Jimi Hendrix live in Santa Clara Fairgrounds. I’ve seen Jimi many times but that day he was beyond supernatural. He was beyond superlatives. His canvas that day, the way he painted that guitar, it was so galactic. It was unbelievable. I’d never heard him play better – and I’d heard him play a lot of times after that day. But there was something extremely extreme that day”. Santana also acknowledged that both the audience and Hendrix himself were under the influence of LSD during the performance, which may have enhanced their experience of the show.
Santana, who is celebrated for songs like ‘Smooth’ featuring Rob Thomas, looked back on his early days in San Francisco, attending concerts at the legendary Fillmore venue. He affectionately referred to the Fillmore as his “alma mater”, recalling the diverse array of artists he encountered there. From Cream to Arthur Brown, Santana absorbed a wealth of musical influences during his formative years, describing his Fillmore experience as that of a “sponge”. His encounters at the venue included performances by music legends such as The Who, Howlin’ Wolf, Steve Miller, and Chuck Berry. Santana emphasized his ongoing commitment to learning and evolving as an artist, employing a mindset of perpetual growth and exploration.
As Santana continues to resonate with audiences across generations, he expressed a desire for his band’s message to connect deeply with every listener. Beyond his personal musical journey and impactful encounters as a young musician, Santana’s commitment to artistic growth and cultural resonance endures. Witnessing Hendrix’s groundbreaking performance left an indelible mark on Santana, inspiring him to embrace the transformative power of music and maintain an insatiable appetite for artistic exploration. Santana’s reflections on his musical origins and pivotal experiences underscore the enduring impact of influential artists like Jimi Hendrix and the vital role of live performances in shaping artists and audiences alike.