Carlos Santana

The Mexican-American guitar mystic who fused Latin percussion, African rhythms, blues tonality, and rock electricity into a singular voice that has endured from Woodstock 1969 to the present day. Santana's tone — warm, sustain-rich, and instantly recognizable through his favored PRS guitar and Mesa/Boogie amp setup — powered landmark albums like Abraxas (1970) and the comeback Supernatural (1999), which won nine Grammy Awards. His ability to make a single held note say more than an entire solo set him apart as one of the most expressive guitarists in any genre.