Santana's Acid Trip

Carlos Santana reflects on the acid trip of his life at Woodstock, an experience that propelled his career and brain to new heights.

**More info & videos below**

-----------------

-----------------

[reslifeMHC]

Imagine being able to say you got acid from Jerry Garcia and then complimented for your performance by Jimi Hendrix. Icon.

[greekpapi]

LSD + bad scheduling = One of the best rock performances ever in the history of rock and roll. Cant make this stuff

[Nihilist]

I saw Carlos walking across the street by guitartar center in Vegas. I slammed on the brakes and yelled "Carlos Fucking Santana" he started laughing came up to my window asked me if I wanted an autograph. I said Fuck yeah lol still hanging on my fridge 12 years later. Amazing guy... Huge fan!

[Brickwallhood]

you know acid is powerful when you can recall something that happened years ago this vividly

[chucklemuchuckle]

Must have been some heavy acid, ive never seen my guitar neck go snake mode

[steveg]

I caught Carlos Santana flying in First Class, early in 2000's, I was on a business trip (only), you could tell he just wanted to chill and not be recognized or have anyone bring any attention to him, so as I passed him in the aisle I put my hands together as in prayer and bowed to his greatness, as I did this he acknowledged me the same exact way, as to say thank you and that as humans we are all equal...true story

[jonathanlocke]

He was great in that performance, the whole band was really on, but it was the young guy on the drum kit who really stole the show...

[piriurwin]

I wasn't shocked when he said Jerry Garcia gave him the acid 😂

[andrewsmith]

I took acid at Disneyland back in the 70`s. It was awesome.

[Kosmic_Mike]

Good for Santana standing up for LSD. "Like a snake shedding all beliefs."

[joeybenoit]

I saw Carlos Santana three years before Woodstock! He was playing in Hayward California! I was 9 years old!!!

[ifwas]

An acid trip can be a wonderful, cosmic, oceanic experience or it can be a reckoning, you had to be aware that the things you were avoiding could become unavoidable! Set and setting are important factors to consider when tripping. Back in the 1960's, a set of shared beliefs, ideas, attitudes, and knowledge were common within the counterculture. When you tripped, you felt part of that collective consciousness, it was reassuring to sense a connection to everyone. I wouldn't want to trip today, not only because I'm not as strong as I was when young (mindset) but because there isn't a supportive culture (setting).

[juangonzales]

I can't believe I shook that man's hand...

[fixit]

Jus him closing his eyes remembering it all

[KCFlyer]

That performance sounded better than a studio version...it was perfect

[VonBluesman]

Carlos Santana has given the world some of the very best Latin Rock music ever made in the history of mankind. I admire him for his talent, his faith, and his courage to share his faith with boldness. GOD bless you Carlos. Thank you for your music and your spiritual guidance.

[frekitheravenous]

As someone who did a TON of Acid in the late 80's with my idiot friends, i gotta say I love this story. Thing is, what happened to him on stage happened to all of us at one time or another. The difference is his got focused thru his guitar and someone recorded it for the world to see. And what you see is a deeply "Religious" experience. He said the word "Shaman". But i would say at that time he was just going from Student to Teacher. Like a snake he shed his skin live on stage. In a thousand years people will still watch Soul Sacrifice with open mouths and awe in their eyes. It was the making of a musical Shaman. Respects Mr. Santana

[theoriginalchefboyoboy]

Santana performance at Woodstock was a high-water mark if ever there was one. Any time I hear some new guitarist on the internet being hailed as a genius I ask, "When they can do what Carlos did at Woodstock, then I'll take notice." Not trying to be mean, or cruel, but these guys just ran on pure instinct and energy, and sadly we just don't see that these days...

[eradeziel]

Carlos totally gets it. What a hill to climb in that scenario, handled it like a boss musician and performer.

[slingshotchicken]

The word from Carlos Santana, "Trust your fingers to know where to go on the guitar" He combined that with trying to simultaneously be in touch with The Great Spirit, thereby in what might be called a Soul Sacrifice, he became the conduit for The Spirit in front of 500 000 people @ Woodstock. He is AWESOME