Carlos Santana: "I'm not a survivor ... I am triumphant"
Carlos Santana says his talent comes from God's grace and is meant to honour women.
Carlos Santana speaks with guest host Piya Chattopadhyay about his memoir, The Universal Tone, which chronicles his journey from Tijuana strip joints to the world stage.
The legendary guitarist also opens up about a childhood trauma that changed his life, why he considers his music a tribute to women, and what he thinks of his iconic, drug-fuelled 1969 performance in Woodstock.
Click here or on the listen button above to hear the full interview (audio runs 0:19:35).
Plus, find footage of Santana's performance at Woodstock, as well as stand-out quotes from this interview, below.
Stand out quotes from the interview:
On overcoming childhood trauma: " We forget that forgiving is actually a gift you're giving to yourself"
On working in Tijuana strip joints: "I learned grace, sassiness and sexiness"
On women:"Everything is related to a woman to me."
"Women cannot live without being adored. Period."
On working in Tijuana strip joints: "I learned grace, sassiness and sexiness"
On women:"Everything is related to a woman to me."
"Women cannot live without being adored. Period."
On his legendary performance of soul sacrifice in 1969: "When I hear it now it sounds like somebody trying to tame a snake."
On playing a great solo: "It's the same thing as making love: don't think about it ... you have to be in the moment, totally present."
On being a prominent Mexican American: "I am the dreams and aspirations of millions of people who wash dishes, clean parking lots, clean sheets, toilets, all the hotels in America, you know. The people who are trying to cross the border right now in the rain."
On the source of his talent: "I know that God has both hands on me. I am anointed ... I was born to bring a certain element to this planet."
"I'm not a survivor. Survivor comes from saying you barely made it and you're a victim. I am triumphant. I'm not a survivor."
"I don't believe in luck, chance or fortune. That's like dust to me. I believe in grace."