Editing Carlos Santana (section)

=== Record deal, Woodstock breakthrough, and height of success: 1969–1972 ===
[[File:Santana_(1971).png|thumb|right|250px|Trade ad for Santana's album ''Santana III'']]

Santana's band was signed by [[Columbia Records]], which shortened its name to simply "[[Santana (band)|Santana]]".<ref>[http://www.academic.eb.com.ezproxy4.library.arizona.edu/levels/collegiate/article/476059] {{dead link|date=June 2021}}</ref> It went into the studio to record its first album in January 1969, finally laying down tracks in May that became its first album. Members were not satisfied with the release, dismissed drummer Bob Livingston, and added [[Mike Shrieve]], who had a strong background in both jazz and rock. Then the band lost percussionist [[Marcus Malone]], who was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Michael Carabello was re-enlisted in his place, bringing with him experienced [[Nicaraguan]] percussionist [[José Areas|José Chepito Areas]].

Major rock music promoter [[Bill Graham (promoter)|Bill Graham]], a Latin music aficionado who had been a fan of Santana from its inception, arranged for the band to appear at the [[Woodstock|Woodstock Music and Art Festival]] before its debut album was even released. Its set was one of the surprises of the festival, highlighted by an eleven-minute performance of a throbbing instrumental, "[[Soul Sacrifice (song)|Soul Sacrifice]]". Its inclusion in the ''[[Woodstock (film)|Woodstock]]'' film and soundtrack album vastly increased the band's popularity. Graham also suggested Santana record the [[Willie Bobo]] song "[[Evil Ways (Santana song)|Evil Ways]]", as he felt it would get radio airplay. The band's first album, ''[[Santana (1969 album)|Santana]]'', was released in August 1969 and became a hit, reaching No. 4 on the U.S. [[Billboard 200]].<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Santana|publisher=Sony|year=1998|id=489542-2}}</ref>

The band's performance at Woodstock and the follow-up sound track and movie introduced them to an international audience and garnered critical acclaim. The sudden success which followed put pressure on the group, highlighting the different musical directions in which Rolie and Santana were starting to go. Rolie, along with some of the other band members, wanted to emphasize a basic [[hard rock]] sound which had been a key component in establishing the band from the start. Santana, however, was increasingly interested in moving beyond his love of blues and rock and wanted more jazzy, ethereal elements in the music. He became fascinated with [[Gábor Szabó]], [[Miles Davis]], [[Pharoah Sanders]], and [[John Coltrane]], as well as developing a growing interest in [[spirituality]]. Although Davis and Santana were longtime friends, they only recorded together once, in 1990 for Rustichelli. Santana's band has also included many musicians who also played with Davis.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-day-carlos-santana-met-miles-davis/ | title=The Day Santana Met Miles Davis | website=[[The Daily Beast]] | date=January 25, 2015 }}</ref> At the same time, Chepito Areas was stricken with a near-fatal [[Cerebral hemorrhage|brain hemorrhage]], and Santana hoped to continue by finding a temporary replacement (first [[Willie Bobo]], then [[Coke Escovedo]]), while others in the band, especially Michael Carabello, felt it was wrong to perform publicly without Areas. Cliques formed and the band started to disintegrate.

Consolidating the interest generated by their first album, and their highly acclaimed live performance at the Woodstock Festival in August 1969, the band followed up with their second album, ''[[Abraxas (album)|Abraxas]]'', in September 1970. The album's mix of rock, blues, jazz, salsa and other influences was very well received, showing a musical maturation from their first album and refining the band's early sound. ''Abraxas'' included two of Santana's most enduring and well-known hits, "[[Oye Como Va#Santana version|Oye Como Va]]", and "[[Black Magic Woman#Santana version|Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen]]". ''Abraxas'' spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart at the end of 1970.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/73601/chart-beat-bonus |title=Chart Beat Bonus |magazine=Billboard |date=November 1, 2002 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> The album remained on the charts for 88 weeks and was certified 4× platinum in 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.superseventies.com/spsantana2.html |title=Santana – Abraxas |publisher=Superseventies.com |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> In 2003, the album was ranked number 205 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.<ref>Levy, Joe; Steven Van Zandt (2006) [2005]. "205 | Abraxas – Santana". Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (3rd ed.). London: Turnaround. {{ISBN|1-932958-61-4}}. {{OCLC|70672814}}. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2006.</ref>

Teenage [[San Francisco Bay Area]] guitar prodigy [[Neal Schon]] joined the Santana band in 1971, in time to complete the third album, ''[[Santana (1971 album)|Santana III]]''. The band now boasted a powerful dual-lead-guitar act that gave the album a tougher sound. The sound of the band was also helped by the return of a recuperated Chepito Areas and the assistance of Coke Escovedo in the percussion section. Enhancing the band's sound further was the support of popular Bay Area group [[Tower of Power]]'s [[horn section]], Luis Gasca of [[Malo (band)|Malo]], and other [[session musician]]s which added to both percussion and vocals, injecting more energy to the proceedings. ''Santana III'' was another success, reaching No. 1 on the album charts, selling two million copies, and yielding the hit "[[No One to Depend On]]".

Tension between members of the band continued, however. Along with musical differences, drug use became a problem, and Santana was deeply worried that it was affecting the band's performance. Coke Escovedo encouraged Santana to take more control of the band's musical direction, much to the dismay of some of the others who thought that the band and its sound was a collective effort. Also, financial irregularities were exposed while under the management of Stan Marcum, whom Bill Graham criticized as being incompetent. Growing resentments between Santana and Michael Carabello over lifestyle issues resulted in his departure on bad terms. James Mingo Lewis was hired at the last minute as a replacement at a concert in New York City. David Brown later left due to substance abuse problems. A [[Santana III Tour|South American tour]] was cut short in [[Lima, Peru]] due to unruly fans and student protests against U.S. governmental policies.

In January 1972, Santana, Schon, Escovedo, and Lewis joined former [[Band of Gypsys]] drummer [[Buddy Miles]] for a concert at Hawaii's [[Diamond Head, Hawaii|Diamond Head Crater]], which was recorded for the album ''[[Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles! Live!]]'', which became a gold record.