Carlos Santana Names His Favourite Six Guitar Players

[@fusionfan6883]

Those who are pointing out Santana didn’t mention Green of McLaughlin are forgetting this video was put together by a third party. Carlos has praised those two countless times, just read his autobiography.

[@georgebennett3197]

Quite so! This video is just AI rubbish

[@ArkyMalarkey]

Carlos Santana is without doubt the most instantly recognizable guitar player of all time. Unfortunately, this recognizability is attained by consistently playing everything a microtone sharp. Apparently, millions of people love him for it, but my dental fillings and I beg to differ. One of my favorite quotes about Santana comes from an old Guitar Player interview with Jeff Beck. This was in Carlos’ early seventies spiritual period, when he had just become a disciple of Indian meditation guru Sri Chinmoy, called himself Devadip and said things like “I get my sustain from God”. When asked about this, Jeff just chuckled and said “Oh, Carlos is so full of shit…”.

[@rogerwilliams5382]

@@fusionfan6883 Yeah, I believe you are right. I saw Carlos last year at Crossroads and before they played Black Magic Woman, he give homage to Peter Green referencing him as the late great Peter Green.

[@fusionfan6883]

@ So, in summary, you are not a fan.

[@ArkyMalarkey]

@@fusionfan6883 : If it’s me you’re asking: No, I’m not a fan of Carlos, but I’ve always had a soft spot for his one-of-a-kindness, his wild abandon and, again, his recognizability. I remember my girlfriend hearing a new song on the radio and saying, “I really like the way that woman sings, but why the hell is that guitar player obnoxiously soloing over her vocals?”. I said “Well, take a wild guess, it’s Santana, that’s what he does”.

[@happilyeggs4627]

Not a word for Peter Green, the man who wrote Santana's greatest hit, "Black Magic Woman". Or for Santana's old guitar sparring partner, John McLaughlin.

[@davemish4163]

Agreed. Green is a glaring omission. Unlike some of the guitarists here, you can really hear Green's influence.

[@JoeandAngie]

Wow. Major foul.

[@jimfritz2087]

P. Green's song " The Supernatural" , with John Mayall , influenced his playing in most everything he did . IMHO. And his mega comeback album in the 90s had that very name. We know it . Glaring omission here , like Dave said.

[@navhgog4713]

This a resume made by the video's guy. Not Santana's

[@Circuit7Active]

Great guitarist...fairly insane now

[@adrianmedforth3033]

Carlos blended Latin, jazz & rock into one. Nobody else did that. A true genius..

[@Brother_Dre1900]

Also blues. Never forget the Blues.

[@sattwa2]

Peter Green gave Carlos a big hit. Beyond that, Peter’s gift with melody and absolutely amazing tone-Nothing like it.

[@pullman1958]

Anybody who has listened to Carlos closely, knows his 6 favorite guitar players change from day to day. And he means it. What he is listening to that week is what inspires his choice of players at that moment. So of course Peter or John are both favorites

[@robbiecox]

Peter Green, you can hear it in Santanas playing all the time.

[@ThomasGilmore-fi6gb]

I was about 100 yards out and center stage when he played at Woodstock. It was a wakeup call! I went on to spend most of my adult life as a guitarist, beginning with tours around Mexico with Amanda Miguel.

[@richardtrotter6008]

I am surprised that John McGlaughlin wasn’t mentioned.

[@RishabhAniket]

I am surprised you can't spell whose omission you are miffed about

[@ValSmith-od6zq]

I am going on 70 years of age. I started listening to Carlos at the age of 15 and still listening. I was fortunate to see Carlos play with his son and his wife at that time. His son played keyboard and his wife beat the drums. I have been listening as he evolved ❤❤❤

[@richardmather1906]

Lol. I only clicked on the link to see if they mentioned Green. Which speaks volumes, IMO, about the fact that he should be on the list, IMO.

[@JX1900XJ]

I saw him in Hyde Park when he featured with Clapton. Eric and Doyle Bramhall couldn't take their eyes off him - incredible playing and sounds

[@nicolopez8180]

Stay strong my guitar King Love your music, since the 70's Bless you more Much love from Africa 🙏❤❤❤

[@rayr4320]

Gabor Szabo was great and its so obvious his early music was the template for early guitar and percussion on Santana records. So many songs are eerily similar.

[@lonegroover]

Carlos owes a huge debt of influence to Peter Green, not a shred of doubt about it.

[@simonepinori9017]

The most influencial for him has been Peter Green, not just for Black Magic Woman, but for the way to play the notes. The song Supernatural by P. Green looks made in a perfect Santana's style.

[@mikebarker7626]

Glad to see Bloomfield mentioned, but no Peter Green? Wow

[@jefferyroy2566]

What a heap of purple prose just to describe the influential string benders enjoyed by one great player. "Carlos Santana's music, isn't merely played, it's conjured, as if his guitar strings are veins connected to the heart of the universe." I'll admit to spewing similar tripe about Jeff Beck or Hendrix or Be Bop Deluxe in those nocturnal sessions of too much nose candy and psychedelics long ago. To me, the Santana set at Woodstock was otherworldly in its originality and energy, the best in the entire three-day concert as captured by Michael Wadleigh and Co. That quote above sounds familiar, but multiple searches couldn't uncover its source. When the wife and I caught Carlos and Beck during their combined concert tour in 1995, the most memorable event of the evening was a dead battery when trying to start our journey home. The whole was less than the sum of its parts, and would be the last time I'd see either of them. Carlos would next pop up on my radar as a shoe designer, while Jeff fell in love with the whammy bar on his Strat. People change as all things do, and both guitarists belong in the pantheon of all-time greats. Clickbait like this, regardless of the subject, doesn't belong, period!

[@scsmith621]

yes what about Peter Green !

[@SatansSimgma]

How about Matt Frickin Roe?

[@scsmith621]

@@SatansSimgma 😁

[@mcbba6906]

C'était le guitariste de Fleetwood Mac.Black Magic woman

[@johnthrasher8146]

Sweet segment and cool tribute to great players all.

[@Joseph-ax999]

Santana was not originally scheduled at Woodstock. However the promoters were having logistic problems and called Bill Graham and asked if he would help out. Graham said he would but only if they added Santana to the bill. When the movie came out they were prominently featured. And so the band went from virtual unknowns to international recognition in less than a year.

[@ericbgordon1575]

Carlos first came to my attention when I was 14 years old during the 25th anniversary of Woodstock. The only thing I believe I had heard of him before 1994 was his score from La Bamba eventually, I began learning about how far reaching his music and career are. I also learned about how much reverence he had for Jimi Hendrix, describing Hendrix as "someone from Mars playing the Blues".

[@kathyscoppettuolo4203]

I love when Santana took Neal Schon under his mentorship, soon after Woodstock. Neal was 15 years old. Santana would start out, and nod over to Neal and let him take the (co) lead. Really generous of Santana to nurture the next guitar generation 😊

[@timboz2569]

I love Santana for his soulful, melodic instrumental songs like Europa, SambaPaTi, Full Moon, Song of the Wind etc. etc. I don’t think anyone has done that any better. Technically he’s limited and reaches a level of intensity, can’t shred ceiling, but his albums are all pretty good with a compelling vibe. They prolly left P.Green out for engagement factor.

[@zeusapollo8688]

Check out love devotion surrender. He could def shred at that point

[@Farsider3955]

🤔…..good vid - excellent list of influences. Other early influences not mentioned in the video - but Santana talked about: Rory Gallagher Alvin Lee

[@user-su5ts9jo6c]

No mention of Peter Green, no more to be said.

[@navhgog4713]

It's the video guy's omission. Not Santana's.

[@batolurio4047]

AI rubbish

[@guesser7]

I never rated Santana. Now Hackett I do rate.

[@joeperry6104]

Rateing guitar players is a stupid hobby real stupid they forgot Frank Zappa here

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

So you would rate Zappa?

[@wylieroth3145]

​@@jupitermoongauge4055 Zappa, in a league of his own.

[@goldendoggy8904]

Thanks for this ❤

[@PinkAsAPistol]

I'm surprised that all six of his favorite guitarists are not Carlos Santana

[@paulbuxton1326]

Peter Green in his peak the best feel of any one 🇬🇧🎼

[@williamweiss6128]

Back when total freedom in music was expected and demanded by audiences. The opposite is common now.

[@ThomasGilmore-fi6gb]

Who are the players on Taylor Swift's records? Are they even acknowledged the recording industry 😢? Why aren't they stars?

[@SatansSimgma]

Im getting kinda pissed he ain't saying the truth about my sweet licks. He always apologizes later but you know it hurt sometimes, C.

[@cheesefrogsnail]

I'd like to know on what occasions did Santana say what you are saying he said, please.

[@busterheine3806]

So glad YOU said it. Nothing more needs to be said on the subject. 👌

[@John-bd2gz]

I never before noticed how similar Carlos' guitar bends are to BB King>

[@PrinceofPain-wv1lo]

Latin means Roman's.( Italians) .Those rhythms are African

[@aleleeinnaleleeinn9110]

Afro-Cuban. And the rest of the styles south of the Rio Grande. That music was a blend of many influences well before Santana got involved. I think this is too narrow a look at Carlos. There were other huge influences who were not guitarists. Miles Davis for one. A long always changing flow of music. The live shows were always different. From those first "Old SANTANA BAND" to the varied often very jazzy ensembles that followed.

[@EGarza-mk2mk]

Jeez dude shut up And to nitpick your comment, Romans ≠ Italians necessarily

[@bmclaughlin01]

I’m not sure how accurate this is but it was still interesting. No McLaughlin, cmon!!

[@fredsetser7222]

Glad to see Gabor Szabo get some recognition. Very underrated guitarist

[@donjohn2695]

Peter green was Santana's guitar hero and that's a fact

[@PedroLopez-fe5bf]

And again Jeff Beck is in the list.

[@scsmith621]

How about Otis Rush !

[@michaelmusterer7066]

Those jazz guys just make it all up

[@willf.5608]

Lol..That's the foundation of Jazz..Improvisation.... Jazz & Blues are the Teachers. Rock and Funk are the Preachers.. 🎩🎼🎩

[@laika5757]

Mine is... Blackmore to the power of 6...🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@colski3333]

Brilliant. Every note is like remembering God.

[@nickdefiler796]

First time i heared about Carlos Santana was in legendary british tv show Mighty Boosh

[@irish66]

Some great footage.

[@Soulcritic]

I always listen for that inner Jerry!

[@mavenfrankeus7287]

I used to know Yngwie Malmsteen's mother. The greatest for me is B.B King.

[@sg1770]

Oh yes he did. Jerry was a master. Just ask Santana. The two played together many times

[@terni12masfusion]

You forgot to mention John McLaughlin

[@qw49]

DUANE ALLMAN WHAS NOT SO BAD 😂😂😂😂😂

[@robertodiferdinando]

Il mio chitarrista preferito....per "colpa" tua Carlos ho desiderato imparare a suonare la chitarra a tutti i costi

[@flipperdale51]

I guess Jeff Beck did use a plectrum at some point.

[@MrCherryJuice]

Yes, until the mid 70s, at which point he adopted a more hybrid approach before going all fingers, though with occasional exceptions (like Arsenio Hall Show doing 'Slingshot; he'd broken one of his nails so used a plectrum and his playing was not up to par...though still a great performance). It was around the mid 70s, when his style was also changing (yet again). I read where he said that he kept dropping plectrums and it wasn't cool to be bending over to pick them up (this was prior to players taping rows of them to their mic stands etc.), though I think that was him just being silly.

[@flipperdale51]

@@MrCherryJuice That's some good info. I was wondering because he inspired me to learn how to play with my thumb. I still use a plectrum, but if I do happen to drop it, I can use my thumb for an emergence back up. Thanks again 🎸😎.

[@JohnAlston-ib2ij]

Your favorite may not be someone else's favorite BB King George Benson and Jimi Hendrix is Santanas contemporary

[@SpencerStaunton]

hendrix and beck are the common denominator in virtually all lists

[@PowertotheHIGHIQPeople]

As they should..they were more cutting edge / early experimenters..above all others

[@brandonterzic]

Beck, Hendrix and EVH are the three most important rock guitar players

[@1alb]

80 percent of Carlos’s playing and licks come from Gabor Szabo - he just played them on electric with more volume and sustain. Carlos doesn’t have the vibrato of the blues greats. He was very melodic and soulful at his best.

[@MyZxcvb12]

I got 1:30, and that was enough for me.

[@robertocaldeirasoares7732]

You forgot Mahavishnu, with whom Santana recorded some nice albums.

[@edwardbaxendale1489]

One name KOSSOFF.

[@alfredpetrie7920]

Gifted men

[@donaldweir2403]

Is that an AI video voiceover? There are two non guitar influences who really 'tightened up' and broadened Santana's musical palette: Narada Michael Walden and Herbie Hancock. McLaughlin is always out of favour because he prevented the music industry from inventing and having legitimate, talented 'Guitar Gods' after Hendrix. They didn't want him, and they couldn't have anyone who paled in comparison with him.

[@2011Matz]

Jeff Beck playing the guitar with a pick!

[@MrCherryJuice]

Yes, this clip is just prior to 'Blow by Blow' (the band here, Upp, were openers for the Beck, Bogert & Appice tour, then Jeff produced and played on their debut album). I read where Jeff said that when touring 'Wired' he kept dropping picks due to the heat and a bit too much champagne, and that bending down to pick them up wasn't cool. So, he used his fingers (which he would occasionally do anyway). When he got more into using his whammy bar and rolling his volume and tone knobs the pick had to go. There were exceptions, like when doing 'Slingshot' on the Arsenio Hall Show he used a pick because he'd broken his finger nail.

[@chrissterrmusic]

1:12 - pretty sure that’s Bill Graham, not his father.

[@FloydMaxwell]

The very best

[@kennybeckett]

No McLaughlin who is far superior to Santana a bit of jealousy maybe!!

[@EugeneDavid-h8s]

He's one of those who have a talking guitar.

[@larrycarter3765]

Grant Green.

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Grant Green and Mundell Lowe

[@cu6454]

I thought he would throw Clapton 🎸

[@danguee1]

I love Santana's music. But not so much as a guitarist per se - found him pretty boring. A few days ago I listened to the solos on 'hope you're feeling better' and Richie's on "A200'. The latter was leagues ahead

[@harmonygritz2839]

Shaman under contract.

[@donbladsoe]

What about Bola Sete ?

[@alfredpetrie7920]

Wes was great

[@greenmanalishi6963]

21 year old Peter Green

[@MrAlasoft]

What's the name of the song at 0:45 ??

[@DJndmc13579]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2S3nZyBg56Uhdk

[@DJndmc13579]

Song -- “Get Uppa”

[@HarveyMushman888]

Jazz influences... no mention of Allan Holdsworth??

[@reffasabdellali6080]

Jimi Hendrix Jeff Beck Jimmy Page Rory Gallagher Ritchie Blackmore Angus Young .

[@jimdep6542]

Thanks...I won't waste my time

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

@@jimdep6542 Those are not Santana's guitar heroes. It's reffasabdellali

[@DavidAndrews-x6j]

David gilmore

[@reffasabdellali6080]

and also Chuck Berry Alvin Lee Kossoff Johnny Winter and Mick Taylor .

[@Belfreyite]

Really! Those are your favorites, not Santana's. Why do his opinions have to slavishly follow everyone else's? I like Carlos Santana, and I respect his opinions. Opinions are like Arseholes. Everyone has one and everyone else's stinks!

[@mikeonb4c]

Is this an AI created video? If not, the narrator needs to work on his dullness problem 🙄

[@jimdep6542]

I doubt these are his six favorites

[@cubicinches18]

Without mentioning Peter Green this cannot be an accurate account

[@hwearrow]

Santana knows what he says. I´m agree with him absolutely. Third position could be share with Eric Clapton. Mike and Eric. It´s my opinion. First BB KING, HENDRIX, MIKE AND CLAPTON. It´s ok this vision for me.

[@julaiarnold641]

clapton was featured in santana's album "supernatural"..and he claims clapton "you are truly an arch angel of the highest order"

[@tristanquezadadiaz4508]

Santana is just a kid compared to Joe Bonammasa

[@sjowens2413]

neil schon?

[@proudtobeeducated5336]

Garbage click bait video.

[@jasmineflower9879]

SO POETICALLY narrated ! The commentary is Literature in itself.

[@pretorious700]

Carlos was basically minor pentatonic. Not really that interesting.

[@ed3432]

SRV trumped them all🎸👈

[@petermot645]

Great guitarist but had A BAD ATTITUDE.

[@alexandremello6913]

Sorry, but I don't see any genius in Carlos Santana. He has always been an average player, with a short vocabulary of pentatonic scale licks. Not a hint of jazz in his playing. Just blues licks played over latin grooves

[@brandonterzic]

same for Clapton and many others--but the historical perspective important when gauging Carlos and Clapton and guys from that generation. Honestly the electric guitar is overrated at this point, it has been done to death.

[@musicsuladze4772]

One and only John McLaughlin!!!!!!!!

[@PrzemyslawMaj-t3e]

For me there was and there are too many amazing guitar players that it would be arrogant to point only one However everyone has a perdonal taste 🙏For me David Gilmour,Jeff,Iommi,SRV,Nalepa ……endless list then Buddy Guy,Eric Clapton……..Benson 😂to infinity

[@Mulignan666]

Santana is one of the worst guitarists along with Page

[@robertfantazo4751]

Shut up he plays the guitar well that's all you need to say.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

He ripped off Gabor Szabo. A fraud.

[@jst601]

Yawn......

[@stretch753]

Jerry Garcia has no business on the same stage with Carlos Santana.

[@bartmay9560]

That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard!

[@samuelchaparro9066]

YA STUPID!!

[@wuggyteddy]

i do not understand why john mclaughlin aka mahavishnu orchestra aka shakti aka other groups is not mentioned first ...john is the greatest with carlos being second greatest guitarists of all time