Santana sidelined by heart condition
Ahealth scare has prompted Carlos Santana to cancel his December dates at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.
Santana said in a Youtube message Wednesday afternoon that he had experienced chest discomfort Saturday and asked his wife and bandmate, Cindy Blackman Santana ,to take him to the hospital.
“We went there and we found out I need to take care of it, and I am,” the 74-year-old rock star said. “So I am going to be taking time out for a little bit, to make sure I replenish and I rest and I catch up with my health, so that when I play for you, I will play the way
I am used to, and give you
150 percent.”
Santana’s reps are describing the incident as “an unscheduled heart procedure.”
The guitar legend called off seven shows total. He was due back at HOB on Wednesday and through this weekend, Dec. 8 and Dec. 10-12. Now, he is expected back Jan. 26.
Santana’s manager, Michael Vrionis, president of Universal Tone Management, said in a statement that the Santana team regretted having to make the announcement: “Carlos is doing fantastic and is anxious to be back on stage soon. He profoundly regrets that this ‘speed bump’ necessitated the cancellation of his upcoming performances. He is looking forward to seeing you all very soon.”
Can’t stop ‘Believin’ ’
The first single off Journey’s 1981 album, “Escape,” was something special. Soaring vocals from Steve Perry;a signature, melodic guitar solo from Neal Schon; pristine keyboard artistry from then-newcomer Jonathan Cain. The song dominated airplay that fall, propelling the album to the top of the Billboard charts. It seemed the type of anthem that would hold sway over generations of music fans.
Yep, “Whose Crying Now” was a great song, a top-five Billboard hit and the right choice as the first single from “Escape.” But the second song out, less noticed at the time, is Journey’s all-time greatest hit. We speak of “Don’t Stop Believin,’” of course.
The second single from “Escape” did reach No. 9, but it was the third-best selling single from that album, as “Open Arms” shot to No. 2. Largely because it was covered majestically on the TV show “Glee,” which re-issued a top-selling version of the song in 2010, “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” is the top-selling digital track from the 20th century. More than 7 million copies have been sold in just in the U.S.
The song has its own place in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Schon and Cain say there was an inclination that “Don’t Stop Believin’” would be magical, even 40 years ago.
“I told Jon it would be special, and he thought so, too,” Schon said in a group interview with Cain and singer Arnel Pineda at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, where Journey opened its six-show residency Wednesday night. “I was listening to a very-close-to-final mix, and I said, ‘Man, I think that song is going to be massive,’ because it was so different.”
Schon explained, “The arrangement was not traditional, you know, AM radio, the generic formula, where you go from a verse, then into a guitar solo. It doesn’t go to a chorus. Then it goes to another verse, and the only time we hear the chorus is at the very end, after the guitar plays the melody of the chorus.”
Schon’s guitar on the song effectively forecast Perry’s chorus near the end. “Steve was not so keen on that, but I pressed. I said, ‘It’s a great melody. I’m going to play it.’ ”
“Escape” was Cain’s first album with Journey. He, Schon and Perry co-wrote “Don’t Stop Believin.’”
“It wasn’t a big hit,” Cain recalled. “Now, it’s probably 5-to-1 the biggest money-earning song we have in our catalog, which is extraordinary.”
Cain said the song’s message never ages.
“It’s funny how things work out that way, and I believe that the lyrics of that song and just the feel of it seem to still be relevant, in a positive way” Cain said. “So, in uncertain times, you need certain music, right?”
Manilow’s chorus
Barry Manilow has enlisted the Las Vegas Academy Singers to perform in his “A Very Barry Christmas” shows at the International Theater at Westgate Las Vegas from Thursday through Sunday. The ensemble will be onstage and also sing to ticket holders entering the theater. The series is Manilow’s first holiday-themed production in Vegas.
Great moments in social media
Foo Fighters have posted a cover of “Copacabana (at the Copa)” on the band’s official Instagram page, @foofighters. Manilow reposted the clip Tuesday. We find that Dave Grohl seems more of a Tony guy than a Rico guy.
Whichever, this clip is just amazing, the holiday gift that keeps giving. And, Foo Fighters are headlining Dolby Live on Thursday and Saturday. A live version would make Dolby Live the hottest spot, north of Havana.
Cool Hang Alert
The vivacious and versatile vocalists Amanda King and Kelly Vohnn co-star in “A Very Vegas Christmas” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Summerlin Performing Arts Center.
Different casts each night, with Jimmy Denning, Anthony Brady, Dennis Blair and Anne Martinez on Friday; and Zowie Bowie, Brent Barrett, Geechy Guy and Lisa Gay on Saturday.
Tickets start at $35. Go to averyvegaschristmas.com for info; the shows stream on Stageit.com. They benefit Cure 4 the Kids Foundation (cure4thekids.org) and find how to support there, too.
Carlos Santana called off his shows this month at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay after suffering from a heart condition.