Many don't realize that when Santana delivered one of the most riveting sets at the original Woodstock festival the group's debut album hadn't even been released yet. The fusion of Rock and firey Latin American rhythms and the searing guitar work of the man born on this day in Mexico has continued to enthrall audiences to this day. Happy birthday, Carlos Santana!
Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on July 20 include...
1945 Moody Blues John Lodge born.
1956 Sex Pistols Paul Cook born.
1963 Soundgarden's Chris Cornell born.
1964 Beatles release Something New in US.
1966 Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard born.
1970 Jefferson Airplane releases Long John Silver.
1973 Genesis releases Genesis Live.
1973 Mott The Hoople releases Mott.
1974 Doobie Brothers, Allman Brothers, Van Morrison play the first Knebworth Concert.
1974 Joey Ramone takes over lead vocals for the Ramones.
1975 Steve Van Zandt joins Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. on the opening night of the Born To Run tour in Providence, RI.
1976 Allman Brothers Band road manager Scooter Herring draws 75 year sentence in drug conviction after trial Gregg Allman appeared as prosecution witness in. He is released after serving 30 months.
1979 REO Speedwagon releases Nine Lives.
1981 Journey releases Escape.
1986 Van Halen's manager is beaten in a Dallas hotel elevator.
2017 Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington hangs himself.
2017 Guns N' Roses plays the Apollo Theater in New York.
