Santana: Magic in Iloilo

Santana co-founder and original vocalist Gregg Rolie and company made up for Carlos Santana's absence with thrilling renditions of the Latin blues-rock group's classics such as "Black Magic Woman," "Oye Como Va" and "Evil Ways" in a recent concert at Iloilo City.

When it was announced during The Lettermen concert in Iloilo late January this year that Santana was coming to the Philippines, a lot of people were excited. However, that excitement sort of died down when it was bared that the multi-Grammy winner, Carlos Santana, would not be around, but instead co-founder and original lead vocalist Gregg Rolie would headline the concert.

But who's Gregg Rolie? Well, Gregg was the keyboardist of Santana besides being the original voice behind such classics as "Black Magic Woman," "Oye Como Va" and "Evil Ways," among others. At the press conference at Days Hotel in Iloilo City, this writer had the opportunity to talk with Gregg up close and personal.

Gregg said his singing career started when he hooked up with Carlos Santana and a couple of his friends from Mission High School. The group became a hit during Woodstock in 1969 where half a million people witnessed a showdown among rock stars that included Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan and of course, the then unknown Santana that performed "Soul Sacrifice." After only a few years together, the group disbanded with Gregg and Neal Schon forming the band Journey. "I left Santana because the whole band kinda fell apart; it was much too soon for a bunch of young men," said Gregg.

During the Iloilo concert at the SM Carpark, the group thrilled the crowd with their original hits. Lead guitarist Kurt Griffey made a fantastic replacement for Carlos. Gregg had three original members plus three talented musicians joining him on the tour he called "Santana Roots." On congas was veteran Michael Carabello, on bass was Alfonso Johnson while on timbales was Adrian Areas. Other members besides Griffey were drummer Ron Wikso and keyboardist Walter Minko who has played with Jean Luc Ponty and Pink.

I asked Gregg what he thought of the current sound of Carlos Santana, who has since collaborated with artists like Rob Thomas, Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews and even Michelle Branch, and he said that he has personally stayed very true to the original Santana sound. "In this band, the players are extraordinary; they understand the simplicity of that kind of music and do not overplay it," added Gregg.

Gregg Rolie has, indeed, cast a spell on the Iloilo audience, including yours truly.