With the musical explosion of the late 1960s erupted the smooth yet fiery guitar tone and style of Carlos Santana with his band Santana. The world at large was introduced to the inimitable musical sensibility and aesthetic of Santana through the original Woodstock Festival and the 1969 debut album “Santana.” Along with his band, Carlos Santana was a trailblazer in the mixture of period rock music with a Latin American sound – a fusion which was revolutionary at the time and beguiled listeners everywhere through hit singles like “Evil Ways” and covers of Fleetwood Mac’s “Black Magic Woman” and Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va.”

Unlike many of his peers of the time, Santana not only continued to make music during the ensuing decades, but managed to remain vital as well. In 1999, thirty years after his initial ascension to music stardom, Santana released “Supernatural.” The album spawned one of the year’s biggest singles with “Smooth” and sold over 30 million copies altogether. “Supernatural” also won the Grammy for Album of the Year, adding to the pile of Grammy Awards that Santana has collected over the decades.

With over twenty albums released and over 100 million albums sold, Santana continues to make music both in the studio and on the stage in front of audiences all over the globe. It is one thing to hear the eminently distinctive tone of Carlos Santana’s guitar and the almost magical musical tightness of the band Santana on a recording, but to see and hear Santana live is another experience entirely. Fortunately for residents of the area, Santana is coming to Meijer Gardens in June as part of the Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series.

Meijer Gardens is a remarkable place to enjoy a concert. The meticulously landscaped grounds are wonderful for exploring before enjoying the music, especially the world class sculpture collection featuring artists like Auguste Rodin and Richard Serra. The show itself will take place in a unique amphitheater, with terraced levels of lawn seating. The setup makes every seat feel close to the stage, even those in the back, and creates an intimate connection between the audience and some of the world’s biggest acts.

Santana will actually be kicking off the Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series on Sunday, June 1st. Tickets go on sale to the public on May 10th at 9 am