THE PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME! First Time Hearing Santana - Soul Sacrifice 1969 Woodstock Reaction!

[@JohnLedger-g4i]

This is the abridged version - Michael Sreeve’s drum solo lasts 5 minutes. It’s a masterpiece!!!!

[@tomhigh8948]

@@svenlima your comment is boring.

[@wallacecallow2255]

@@svenlima If you listened to Michael's entire drum solo, you wouldn't be bored. It's more than a drum solo. It's historic.

[@johngriswold2213]

@@svenlima Far more accurate to say that you find drum solos boring...many people do not;)

[@johngriswold2213]

@@svenlima "Drum solos are boring". You could have been clear and said "I find drum solos boring". This drum solo was great, I was disappointed that they used the edited version of the video that cut most of the solo. For some people the lyrics to a song are the salt and pepper, some "music" these days consists only of drums and lyrics...I find that boring;)

[@svenlima]

@@johngriswold2213 We could discuss for another 200 messages but I will end answering here. If you want to discuss furthermore you need to come to Zürich/Switzerland. I'll offer you a coffee or a beer. The end.

[@chitownlee]

This is the short version of their performance, the long one is much better.

[@fjanson2468]

The whole performance is a epic masterpiece, editing it down is a crime.

[@mohollywood]

long version is so so so SO much better....

[@noneofyourbeeswax01]

@@fjanson2468 It's definitely a crime against Humanity, the UN should get involved!

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

The drummer didn't have his eyes closed, Sam. He was tripping out on acid, as were the entire band, seeing that they weren't supposed to go on until 1:00am bc they were still unknown outside San Fran area. A scheduling conflict arose and the organizers said, "you're up next, get ready". And they crushed it tripping their brains out. 🤘🤘

[@wallacecallow2255]

It was said they took mescaline, not acid. It makes more sense. They couldn't have played like that on acid.

[@emcsquared8681]

@@wallacecallow2255I’ve played my best on acid. Hendrix played many shows tripping balls on acid.

[@jaycooper2624]

You've got it right Mate. I met and interviewed Carlos back in the 70s and he confirmed your assertion. Having dropped a tab or two back in the day, I asked him how on earth they held it all together. He said " I prayed to God, Please keep me in time, please keep me in tune"! This video confirms that his prayers were answered - in Abundance! Shame this isn't the full performance which for me was the ABSOLUTE HIGHLIGHT of the entire Festival. Regards.

[@JerryWalker-u3p]

Don't think if they were tripping out they could not repeat that performance 😊

[@keith6485]

That's what happens when you hang out back stage with Jerry Garcia.😀

[@steve126jackson3]

They arrived as unknowns. They left as legends.

[@lynne6336]

SO true!!! Great way to say it!!!

[@sogekingfromsniperisland7033]

To think that Santa was plying while fighting against a snake. Freaking awesome!

[@nickpoulos4606]

in case you didnt know the organ player Gregg Rollie is the one that started Journey with Neil Schne

[@vicprovost2561]

Greg is Awesome, I love the 3 pre Steve Perry, Journey albums, no one ever reacts to them and they are hard rock classics with a bit of prog. Great band in those days, I still play their music way more than the hits that came later.

[@jaquestraw1]

@@vicprovost2561 I was a big fan back then and saw them at HSU right when Steve joined. No one knew who he was then. I didn't like the new direction at the time. Of course it grew on me eventually but I'm still a prog Journey fan at heart.

[@patrickmcevoy5080]

@@vicprovost2561 I agree - the Gregg Rolie version of the band was my favorite. And even when Steve joined they were still interesting for the first album he was on, because Steve and Gregg's voices meshed so well together. But they never matched their prog/fusion sound from the first few albums.

[@stevenseul361]

YES!!!! I hope you enjoy it. Michael Shrive (drummer) just turned 20. This is one big Jam.. Phil this was their first time performing live on a Major stage... It has been said that they were suppose to go on at night and they were chilling in the back when the lead came in and said nobody can get here in this nightmare so you have to go on.. The band just dropped acid so they were stoned when then went on. So the story goes. To me having lived during this time.. Music was everything and it was in our soul... Great times guys.

[@Hardrock1a]

Not acid, mescaline, it had been given to them by Jerry Garcia who wasn’t into chemical acid, he preferred the natural mescaline. Carlos has stated that when he was jamming with his eyes closed, he had to close them because when he looked at the neck of his guitar, it was a writhing snake.

[@stevenseul361]

@@Hardrock1a Were they tripping??? Yes..... same damn thing.

[@KennyRansom-l5k]

"Music was EVERTHING" . A perfect summary of the era . 😀

[@KennyRansom-l5k]

As said from the mans own mouth on "Dan Rather's BIG Interview" . I Love that show !

[@kbrewski1]

WRONG. This was NOT SANTANA'S first live performance. They had been performing in the SF area for 2 years in various formations.

[@kbrewski1]

Carlos Santana was 22, drummer Micheal Shrieve was 20 at Woodstock. Santana's organ player and lead singer was GREG ROLIE, who later formed JOURNEY. Contrary to what others incorrectly post here, this was NOT Santana's first live performance. They had been doing live gigs in 67 and 68 around the SF area. This was their first MAJOR GIG, and the one that brought them NATIONAL attention.

[@Caheman1]

They appeared at Frenchy's in Hayward alot.

[@bettyrose959]

Wasn't their first major gig. They were opening for Crosby Stills and Nash. Both of their concert promoter was Bill Graham. Around this time, Graham had been asked to help organize the upcoming Woodstock Festival, agreed to promote it on the condition that Santana and C,S,N would be added to the bill. It's the only reason they were both there. Woodstock did wonders for both of those acts.

[@kbrewski1]

@@bettyrose959 It was their first MAJOR GIG. As I stated, they had played local shows in the SF area in clubs and small theaters.

[@bettyrose959]

@@kbrewski1 No it wasn't. Carlos was hired as the HOUSE band at the Fillmore by Bob Graham. They were already signed to Columbia Records, playing Festivals, such as Woodstock and had the opening slot on the CURRENT Crosby, Stills and Nash Tour. People are hilarious. This wasn't their first Major gig. Just like I said.

[@markeast9221]

These were Bands and Times that Changed The World ! My Times ! Thank God !

[@suecook1326]

The drummer, had approached some friends, looking for somebody to jam with. They all had other things to do but he managed to hook up with Carlos instead. He turned 20 just before Woodstock. Santana's first album was still 2 weeks from release but they walked away with 400,000+ new fans that day. Drummer Michael Shrieve later made Rolling Stone's list of the top 100 Most Influential drummers. He was the 2nd youngest performer at Woodstock. Sha-Na-Na had an 18 year old.

[@tommccafferty5591]

People who were there, when asked what they remember about Woodstock, say two things more than anything else. How nice everyone was and Santana.

[@Sonny_Eclipse]

In an interview, Carlos said that they had to go on early and that he was tripping, and holding onto the neck of the guitar was like holding on to a snake

[@brotherbob3569]

Courtesy of The Grateful Dead

[@memorast]

❤❤❤ he was Trippin❤❤❤❤

[@docdurdin]

I had just turned 19 in February and the movement was strong. One thing I will always remember is that we were still good kids. In spite of the acid and pounds of pot there was nothing but harmony in the crowd. This is a moment that can never be repeated.

[@Instantphojo]

High as……and still killed it!! That’s dedication!!🙌🏼

[@sammcbride2149]

That was when music was life and death, but mostly life, vivid life, exciting life, thrilling life, life with a thousand colors.

[@bradmannion6769]

And that my friends was what REAL music was back in my day!

[@pammcnary]

I met Michael Shrive at Lake Tahoe a few months before he joined Santana. He was 19. He told me he’d just tried out for Jefferson Airplane, and I thought, sure, ok. Met his parents, brother & older sister. They were vacationing…

[@johnsilva9139]

Guess he was well sought after by San Francisco bands. Him and Santana seem like the perfect match.

[@brooklynbridgealias]

Come on, tell us more. Cool story.

[@pammcnary]

@@brooklynbridgealias Like what?

[@pollynicklas5220]

Too bad this was the shortened video - the drum solo was cut off by 75%!

[@johnsilva9139]

Yes, that would have been great, but this is certainly good enough.

[@peterdamon2840]

At 15yrs old I was there and saw it all. Never looked at life the same way again

[@maureenwagg5305]

They were all tripping balls. The audience was high too. It was epic to watch this. Glad I didn't have to experience the high though. That's not my thing, but the music that came from this session was to die for. Just so amazing.

[@ChicagoBeaver]

I've seen Santana 10 times in concert, the last time was a few years ago, Portland Oregon. OMG, they started out with the Woodstock concert movie playing on the big screen then the band coming on and started playing "Soul Sacrifice," pure magic!!!

[@shaknit]

"Song of the wind" is beautiful.

[@noneofyourbeeswax01]

That became one of my favourite ever Santana pieces.

[@michaelescareno7048]

Glad you reacted to this!! There is a longer version of this with the full drum solo by Michael Shrieve. It's amazing! Santana was one of the first major rock bands with a Latin influence. Santana was my first concert. It was 1970, a year after this performance. Again, great reaction!!

[@bettyb1313]

The very definition of feeling it

[@rubroken]

You might want to react(to the long version)to "Going Home" by Ten years After, also, at Woodstock

[@raymaynard4364]

Some world 🌍 class comments and overall 10/10 Enjoyed this 👏💯

[@paulr.3220]

An epic performance. Period.

[@davidblantz]

The longer version shows the terrific drum solo end to end from Michael Shrive. Drumming masterpiece !

[@JohnLennon99791]

The long version of the drum solo is even better...chills every time...

[@allengray5748]

1970 about to turn 8 I heard my first Santana song; OYE COMO VA from my neighbor where I grew up in Hawaii on Oahu. My top 10 Takes Me Back song. Other Santana; BLACK MAGIC WOMAN OPEN INVITATION and a collaboration SMOOTH!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

[@gregkerr725]

Man...wished you'd have chosen the long version of this concert footage.. The drummer has one of the longest and best drum solos in rock music history! What you saw in this version is just a snippet. Incidently the drummer wasn't long out of High School...maybe 19.

[@kbrewski1]

20

[@davidmolina3520]

Tripping and Rocking 😮

[@artsilva]

This was a couple weeks before their debut album hit the stores and the first time the World outside the San Francisco Bay Area has ever seen and heard Santana. The rest is history.

[@albertoalfaro9989]

Love you two. I chased Santana up and down the California coast during my UCSB years.

[@jimnicosia5934]

One million people 1969.😊

[@artbagley1406]

Attendance never reached soft lofty heights as 1 million, but estimates for the three days of the festival ran from 400,000 to 600,000!!! Documentaries show how much trouble the organizers ran into, but overcame, with the assistance of the townspeople who came to appreciate the kids, even marveling at their good manners and enjoying the new-found fame for the region. There's a museum on the grounds now, including statues to Max Yasgur & his wife (concert held on their land).

[@warrenpeterson6065]

I was 13 at the time of this legendary performance and it changed my life. I would never be the same!

[@MusicMan61-j7o]

Need the full version. Missing out on so much

[@CC-Wulf]

This performance was 55 years ago and it's still amazing. Greg Rollie, the organ player/singer for the early Santana years, later left the group to form the band Journey. Greg was later replaced on Journey as the singer for that band by Steve Perry.

[@olderthanyoucali8512]

Yah they played. While tripping on Acid!

[@armlovesmetal1036]

My favorite Santana song. I have loved the band since I was 9 years old (same with Hendrix). They just don't make music like this anymore. This song still gives me the chills.

[@pburski1102]

The great thing about Santana is that as he gets older he gets better! I see you already reacted to Samba Pa Ti form the Abraxas album, but you should watch his performance of the same song from the House of Blues Las Vegas. It sounds so much better and it's live.

[@LBinsocal]

Exactly, and i’ve seen him out doors twice, 4 times at the House of Blues… ITS THE BEST!

[@ReesesPieces634]

i love the Live at Fillmore West version of this..... which was in 1968. Should be available on YT

[@Upe-f9c]

Thumbs up, of course. Michael Shrieve on the drums - what a legendary performance just around 20 years old.

[@bobbrown5951]

I was there sitting in a patch of mud between the stage and one of the light towers with three friends from Hamilton, Ontario. We had never heard of them but probably one of the best performances of the weekend. This was their last song and it's been stuck in my head all these years.

[@primalengland]

When I was a teenager in the 70s we used to drive out at weekend with all the windows wound down, and Santana blaring from the speakers. We grew up in a wonderful time.

[@stevev7191]

This never gets old

[@Sonny_Eclipse]

Oooooh, the drum solo was cut short

[@RyneMurray23]

I saw him live in 2018 and he started the show with this song. He sounded even better🔥👍🏼

[@danrumble74]

A Legendary Performance 🔥

[@Dakota-g90-s7q]

I was there, Carlo and his band ,unbelievable !!

[@bruceware897]

So was I

[@Gort-Marvin0Martian]

Sheila E's father was one of the conga players. I believe the tall guy. She grew up to be a great performer as well. You might check out her, "Glamorous Life," video. WOW!!! Great reaction / review. As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.

[@FunkyMarcel]

The Escovido Bros came to the group in 1971

[@duanetelesha]

Great day two in a row, Santana and Steel Dan. Drummer and keyboard later appearance now with Journey. Great reaction. fifty five years later.

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

Back in the old days when the bands themselves had no idea how many people were in them!

[@xJRx77]

The drummer Michael Shrieve had just turned 19 here, and the keyboard player Greg Rollie is a founding member of the band Journey!

[@timwirasnik5878]

This was shot at Woodstock so the Audience was already Trippin Balls, so was the Band for that matter!

[@marklane58]

Santana kept me away from my homework in high school. Thanks for the flashback.

[@michaelwalker5257]

As everyone always says: you have to see Mike's full solo. And BTW, he was 19. . . Carlos was 21 or 22. Arguable the best live performance I've ever seen. And it made the band!

[@paulkeahtigh2]

Long version please, thanks 👍

[@markhodge7]

That was the music scene back then. Advertised concerts for the evening with 5 acts. Multiday festivals every month or 2. Bands forming and bands showing up, A musical tsunami!

[@memorast]

❤❤❤❤❤ you hit gold rush❤❤❤❤ fantastic❤❤

[@TheGreatGig73]

Upstate New York was on FIRE that weekend! I wasn't there but know someone that was, Damn!

[@wallacecallow2255]

Michael Shrieve was also a jazz-influenced drummer, specifically Bossa Nova jazz, and persuaded Carlos to use that style of music in their Caravanserai album. I think it's their top album. Try 'Stone Flower' from the album, the music of which was written by one of the originators of Bossa Nova, Carlos Jobim. Michael wrote the words for the Santana cover of the song. Jobim also co-wrote the 'Girl from Ipanema'.

[@chaunapierce8678]

This appearance at Woodstock was what really made them well-known as you stated. But when they were trying to get into the festival though there was so much traffic and so many people they had to take them in by helicopter. And Santana the whole group was supposed to perform in the evening but when they arrived that morning after having all taken acid, They asked them to performthat morning on arrival because another band hadn't made it there yet. So these guys are pretty ripped while they're up there playing but man it's good.😅😊

[@coffee-xg6my]

Phil, you're in good company when you pointed out the drummer. This performance alone made made him famous. Michael Shrieve was the second youngest performer at Woodstock at a fresh 20 years old .

[@mirellamaynard6404]

I’m 77. Guess where I was August ‘69! Lived in New York state back then.

[@jimbrown8313]

He can make a solo from three notes. And it's awesome.

[@CelestialWoodway]

I saw Santana on his most current tour. He's still great. Unfortunately, he had to cancel many of the dates because he suffers from back pain. He sits down in a chair in concert now when he does play. Saw him in Houston.

[@rockymountainjazzfan1822]

Carlos Santana has always been jazz-influenced, even at the beginning of his career. Michael Shrieve was (and is) essentially a jazz-style drummer. Even back then, he used a "jazz-style" grip on his left drumstick. Over the years, Santana has used several heavily jazz-influenced drummers, including Dennis Chambers and Carlos' now-wife, Cindy Blackman. Other jazz musicians have cycled through the band over the years, including jazz keyboardist Alan Pasqua. Carlos himself is known for including jazz riffs from jazz tunes like "Brazil," "Peanut Vendor," and "Breezin'" in his solos. One of Santana's most famous hit tunes, "Oye Como Va" was written by Latin Jazz band leader Tito Puente years before Santana made a hit out of it.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

When three uni friends and I drove to Woodstock from Montréal, we'd never heard of Santana. The group emerged as one of the three most memorable new stars for us, the others being CSNY (in the first concert), and Arlo Guthrie (his video exemplified the wet & wonderful weekend perfectly). Pity you cut out Michael Shrive's epic drum solo though.

[@louandlisahayner5314]

Corazone Espinado is fire a must hear great video too. I agree the long version of soul sacrifice is way better for the drum solo, Good work guys keep it up

[@clannad99germany70]

Those guys, Carlos, Michael Shrieve or Gregg Rollie, were about 23, 24 year old in 1969 at the Woodstock festival,.

[@sjd5750]

That last picture of the guy pointing out to the crowd, with organist Gregg Rolie, is the late Legendary promoter, and owner of both The Fillmore's (East and West/ NYC and San Fran), and the guy who launched the careers of so many of the bands back then, Billy Graham. And the reason Santana got to perform at Woodstock.

[@johnsilva9139]

Glad you pointed that out. Yes Bill Graham was familiar with them in San Francisco and recommended them to the promotors of Woodstock.

[@gkiferonhs]

As a former techie, can you imagine setting up the sound to handle a crowd of 500,000 in a ten acre, open-air arena?

[@markcox731]

Interesting thing I read , when "The Beatles" played Shea Stadium in 1966 , they said most of the concert goers couldn't hear them in the back of the stands , that's when they started putting speaker stacks the back portion of the concerts ?

[@jimbrown8313]

Listen to the interviews of the producers. Fear of towers falling in the wind. Fear of mass electrocutions. It was wonderful and horrifying.

[@mauricemyers3343]

The the other guitar player in this lineup of Santana was a 15 year old Neal Schon who along with Gregg Rollie formed the jazz fusion funk band called Journey. When I first watched this I too was a 13 year old guitar player who wanted to be like Carlos . I grew my hair like Carlos and Neal who had big fro’s! Then in 1973 I join a band in High School. And bought my first quality guitar. Influenced by Carlos I got 1973 Gibson Custom SG. Which I still have and play today. I would recommend a listening to one of the early Journey albums before Steve Perry joined. One on our bands go to song was Santana’s Europa. Check it out! Keep up the great work!❤

[@doplinger1]

Unique is an understatement, for the whole scene! There had been very few large venue concerts so an event like this had no rules or etiquette really. Legendary promoter Bill Graham booked his client Chicago to another gig that weekend so the he could stick this new band called Santana into the lineup. Santana had just either released their first album or were about to when this took place. Imagine that!

[@kbrewski1]

The debut album was released after Woodstock. So the crowd had never heard this stuff unless they had lived in the SF area and seen them.

[@bdmention]

And two years later at the age of 17, Neal Schon (of Journey fame) joined the band.

[@jamessomers8808]

Oh yeah, I am here for this. I am so glad you’re doing this video.❤ I’m sure it’s the best performance ever, unless there’s one I don’t know about, which is possible😂❤

[@funkmeisterB-5000]

B&B, The keyboardist went on to form a band called Journey...And Santana had a loose contract deal as a new band with Columbia, but after this dynamic show the sales shot through the roof and they immediantly gave him a long term deal. Gald to see you loved this one so much!

[@mahatmakane1946]

These guys were all tripping -- great drugs, great music, a great audience.

[@mbgaomo]

When you talk about great guitarists, Carlos Santana has to be in the conversation.

[@robertgonzales3681]

I think you should also view 2 other bands that were at Woodstock. They are Canned Heat singing Boogie, also Joe Cocker singing A Little Help From My Friends, they are epic performances.

[@hoodatdare7039]

SANTANA / SMOOTH / WITH ROB LOW SINGING IS A MUST DO.

[@dj-bn1fj]

Many bands at Woodstock were in there 20's lol

[@gswithen]

This complete live performance is 13 minutes long. Woodstock was August 15-18, 1969. Santana's debut record came later that month. Perfect timing for them.

[@LBinsocal]

You guys really need to vaca in Vegas and see them perform at the House of Blues. He only performs there a few months a year . The acoustics there make for an incredible performance. I’ve seen them 6 times in the last 7 years, and it never gets old. Carlos is getting old. At 77 he still sounds great. His concerts always sell out. Not much time left to say you saw one of the best bands ever!

[@squidkid2]

This is an edited shorter version of this performance. The version from the movie Woodstock contains the whole drum solo and has more shots of the crowd reactions. You should redo this song using the longer version. By the way Carlos was dosed on LSD without his knowledge. He said the neck of his guitar looked like a rubber snake when he was trying to play. And the crowd size was estimated at half a million. The drummer Mike Shrieve was as you said just out of high school. His complete drum solo which is not in this edited version is amazing. Track down the long version and you'll be blown away.

[@ChristianOrtiz-p9o]

you commented on how young the drummer is. His name is Michael Shrieve, and he was 19 years old at that time.

[@kbrewski1]

20

[@VinceEmbry]

As others have stated, if for nothing else but your own enjoyment, check out the long version.

[@Satjr35031]

I worked in a record factory and pressed that album.

[@agnetamalmqvist3776]

The best time!!!!!!!!

[@mikewelsh6693]

The keyboardist is Greg Rollie who went on to form Journey with Neil Schon!!

[@bradsense7431]

Tripping their azz off. I believe the story goes they had to go on much earlier than originally scheduled and they had just taken LSD so were tripping out feeling the music. Carlos thinking his guitar neck was a snake so was trying to hold it in a way so he would not get bitten.

[@johns20901]

Phil and Sam you missed the legendary drum solo . Michael's mastery of rudiments and his creative fills and figures - superb

[@barrycounts490]

Please check out Santana's "Smooth" MV with vocals from Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) The whole band was tripping during their Woodstock performance ! They were suppose to play the next day but other bands could not get their because the roads/ highways were full of parked cars . They told Sanatana to play now or they wouldn't play at all ! Nice Reaction =)

[@bjwnashe5589]

They were all tripping. High as kites. Still played great.

[@FrancesThompson-e3m]

Michael Shrieve, the Drummer was just 20 and he was the youngest performer at Woodstock!

[@kbrewski1]

Nope. The drummer for Sha Na Na was either 18 or 19. And I've read that the female lead singer of Sweetwater was only 17.

[@Jose-zm2ni]

He mentioned in an interview that he was tripping hard during this performance. Talking about Carlos

[@MrRandyv]

In 1964 p, on the Hollywood Palace TV show, Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones introduced the rock world, to the maracas, in the song “ Not Fade Away”.

[@WayneCoke]

The drum solo is kick butt with Michael. The other great drum solo is IRON BUTTERFLY - IN A GADDA DA VIDA check it out. The organ I believe is a Hammond B-3 and the brown box you see over the organ players shoulder is a Leslie speaker.

[@MauricioDelaRosa-db7rr]

Santana and Sam on 🔥