Today, July 20, 2026, one of rock music's best guitarists ever celebrates his 79th birthday. Carlos Santana, founding member of Santana, was born in 1947 in Jalisco, Mexico—and remains the King of Latin Rock decades after beginning his career.
Santana first formed in 1966, later signing with Columbia Records with Carlos as the frontman. Throughout the '70s and early '80s, the fusion band released a string of successful albums, including Abraxas, Lotus, and Amigos, and made a major comeback in 1999 with the nine-time Grammy-winning Supernatural.
"Carlos Santana’s pioneering fusion of blues, jazz, and Latin music" was recognized by Rolling Stone on the famed music publication's roundup of the 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time — and he nearly made the Top 10, coming in at No. 11. “His music was something new, but it was intertwined with everything else that was out there at the time,” said Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys, per the outlet. “He incorporated his culture into the music.”
Despite attempting to emulate his heros at first, he always made his way back around to his own groove, forming a distinct musical identity and powerfully unique sound all his own. “As hard as I tried, I couldn’t — I always sounded like me," the guitarist admitted, according to Rolling Stone.
The artist has earned two No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, "Maria Maria" and "Smooth," and six Top 10s on the chart in total. He is best known for songs like "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va," and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 alongside his band's classic core Woodstock-era lineup: Gregg Rolie, Michael Shrieve, David Brown, José Chepito Areas, and Michael Carabello.
For someone enjoying a lengthy, successful career spanning six decades, it doesn't seem he has plans to slow down anytime soon. As Parade recently reported, Santana announced on social media on July 7 that he was adding a few more dates to his Las Vegas, Nev., residency scheduled for later this year.
“The residency is in its 14th year at the intimate House of Blues, featuring unparalleled dynamic energy from Carlos and his band. The concert is a must-see live experience for fans of the award-winning artist,” the notice read.
Currently, the iconic musician is playing on the 2026 Oneness Tour with the Doobie Brothers, with the next concert slated for Aug. 6 in Auburn, WA, followed by a handful of dates in select cities across California.
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