Santana shows called off after heart surgery
Carlos Santana has canceled the December dates of his Las Vegas residency as he recovers from “an unscheduled heart procedure,” according to a statement from his management.
The Grammy-winning guitarist and longtime Bay Area resident was scheduled to perform eight dates at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino this month. Those shows are now on hold, as fans await word on the rest of the dates for An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live, scheduled at the same venue in January, February and May.
“Just wanted to share with you some clarity with specificity what’s been going on with my physicality,” Santana, 74, said in a personal video shared with his fans on Wednesday, Dec. 1, the day the residency was set to begin. “There’s been rumors flying around here and there about this and that. So, I’m here to just crystallize and make it clear. Last Saturday, I had an incident where I asked my wife, Cindy (Blackman), to take me to the hospital because I had this thing happening in my chest.
“So, when we went there we found out that I needed to take care of it,” he continued. “So I am, and so I’m going to be taking time out for a little bit to make sure I replenish and I rest, and catch up with my health so that when I play for you I would play the way I’m used to and give you 150%. I wouldn’t show up unless I can do that. So other than that, I hope you and your family are enjoying good health, peace of mind and joy. I know I will.”
In October, Santana and his late brother Jorge’s contributions to the San Francisco music scene were celebrated in San Francisco’s Mission District with the unveiling of a vibrant mural.
“Because of their vision and desire to be a part of this, we are the beneficiaries of their spirit, of their love, of their musical genius that has touched the lives of so many people,” Mayor London Breed said at the ceremony at the 24th Street Mission BART Station.
Santana, who moved from Mexico to San Francisco with his family in the 1960s, lived in the Mission District for many years and attended Mission High School, before starting the Latin rock band Santana and gaining international acclaim with hits that include “Black Magic Woman” and “Evil Ways,” as well as 1999’s multiplatinum “Supernatural” album.
He has won 10 Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammys, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Santana moved to Las Vegas in 2011 but remains connected to the Bay Area, only parting with his $5.53 million home in Tiburon in September.
Michael Vrionis, president of Universal Tone Management, said, “Carlos is doing fantastic and is anxious to be back onstage 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.”