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![]() ![]() ![]() Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Show More Show Less That support led to an invitation to the Woodstock stage in 1969 that only boosted their popularity further, and got them signed to Columbia Records. The group, eventually just called Santana, made their stage debut in 1968 at the Fillmore and enjoyed a standing ovation. As Rolling Stone reports, Santana was uncomfortable with being the frontman, but the local musicians' union required the band to have a leader. With bassist David Brown, and vocalist and organist Gregg Rolie (who also played with Journey), and eventually with original drummer Rod Harper and rhythm guitarist Tom Frazer, they formed the Santana Blues Band. Santana was heavily influenced by '50s rock and, after working at a restaurant and busking in his spare time, he decided to try his hand at music professionally. The family moved to San Francisco a couple years later. ![]() He didn't love it, though, and at 8, he took up guitar instead. ABC Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Show More Show Less 8 of24Ĭarlos Santana's first instrument was not the guitar it was the violin, which he learned to play at age 5 with his father while living in Mexico. Pictured: The Smothers Brothers on "The New Steve Allen Show" in 1961. Several years later, they landed a lauded (but short-lived) show on CBS called "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour." While in the Bay Area, they briefly joined a folk group called the Casual Quintet, but in 1959 started their own duo act, the Smothers Brothers, where they played folk tunes and entertained their audiences with comic witty banter.īy 1963, the pair had transformed their act into one that completely leaned into comedy, solidifying their appeal to listeners. Courtesy/Legacy Show More Show Lessīrothers Tom and Dick Smothers, sons of an Army officer, were born on Governors Island, New York and raised in Los Angeles, but didn't tap into their creative interests until both attended San Jose State University in the late 1950s. Pictured: Sly and the Family Stone: Greg Errico, drums Rose Stone, keyboards Sly Stone Cynthia Robinson, trumpet Fred Stone, guitar Jerry Martini, sax Larry Graham, bass. When Clive Davis intervened to convince them to make a hit record, 1968's "Dance to the Music" was born. The racial makeup of the band made them a fresh departure from the other mostly-white rock bands of the '60s, although their first album, "A Whole New Thing," released on Epic Records, didn't sell well. The new band featured Sly, Cynthia Robinson (a holdover from Sly's previous band) on trumpet, guitarist Fred Stewart, bassist Larry Graham, saxophonist Jerry Martini, pianist Rosie Stone, and drummer Greg Errico. The first name, Sly Brothers and Sisters, didn't stick, so they changed it to Sly & the Family Stone after their first gig in Redwood City. Soon, following the suggestion of a friend, the brothers joined their bands together in early 1967, creating a sort of supergroup. By a couple years later, Sly was playing in bands around town and piloting one group, Sly & the Stoners, while Freddie was working with another, called Freddie and the Stone Souls. He was also a fairly successful record producer. Sylvester, who'd go on to take the name Sly, and his brother Freddie joined bands in high school, and in 1964, Sly became a DJ in San Francisco for a R&B and rock station called KSOL. Lance Iversen/The Chronicle Show More Show Less 5 of24Īfter moving to Vallejo from Dallas, the youngest four children of the religious Stewart family - Sylvester, Rose, Freddie, and Vaetta - started a Christian band called the Stewart Four. Stevens who six months ago got out of prisons for a double murder 36 years ago, hopes to resume his singing career. 3 of24 4 of24 Rick Stevens the former Tower of Power lead singer, sang his hit song "You�re Still A Young Man" at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco were he performed at the Voices of Latin Rock benefit concert Thursday, Jan. ![]()
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