Evil Ways

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the timeless track "Evil Ways" by Santana from their self-titled debut album! This song, a cornerstone of Latin rock, was originally written by Clarence "Sonny" Henry and recorded by jazz percussionist Willie Bobo in 1967 on his album Bobo Motion. Santana’s version, released in 1969, transformed the laid-back cha-cha vibe into a pulsating fusion of Latin rhythms and American hard rock, driven by Carlos Santana’s scorching guitar solos. Fun fact: the song’s first pressings mistakenly credited a minor rockabilly artist, Jimmie Zack, due to a mix-up with a different "Evil Ways" from 1960. Santana’s manager, Bill Graham, pushed for the band to cover this tune, believing it would catch radio attention, and he was right—it became their first Top 10 hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1970.

The song’s electrifying performance at Woodstock ’69 was a game-changer for Santana, who hadn’t even released their debut album yet. Their set, including "Evil Ways," wowed the crowd and earned them a spot in the festival’s iconic film and soundtrack, skyrocketing their fame. Interestingly, a recently discovered Woodstock version of the song revealed Carlos’s guitar was out of tune, prompting some modern overdubs for a re-release, as noted in a Songfacts comment by a fan named Barry from New York. The track’s infectious energy also inspired a humorous nod on Saturday Night Live, where Gilda Radner, as her character Roseanne Rosannadanna, performed a parody about Bo Derek, jokingly attributing it to "Carlos Santana Rosannadanna." On X, fans like @60sPsychJukebox celebrated the song’s chart success, noting its 11-week Top 40 run with Gregg Rolie’s lead vocals and Carlos’s backing harmonies.

Carlos Santana, the heart of the band, was born on July 20, 1947, in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico, and his musical journey began early. Starting with the violin at age five, he switched to the guitar by eight, inspired by blues legends like B.B. King and T-Bone Walker while playing in Tijuana’s vibrant club scene. After his family moved to San Francisco in the 1960s, Carlos immersed himself in the city’s counterculture, forming the Santana Blues Band in 1966, later shortened to Santana. Their big break came when Bill Graham, a Latin music enthusiast, booked them for Woodstock, where their performance of "Soul Sacrifice" and "Evil Ways" introduced their unique blend of rock, jazz, blues, and Afro-Cuban rhythms to the world. The debut album Santana, featuring "Evil Ways," hit #4 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the charts for over two years, cementing their legacy.

Stay connected with Santana’s vibrant community! Check out their official website at santana.com for tour dates and news, like their recent Sentient album release. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and fan interactions. Fans can also join the Santana Fan Club for exclusive content and presale tickets. For deeper dives, explore fan-driven sites like Ultimate Santana, which offers detailed song histories, or connect with fellow Zoo Freaks in Facebook groups like Santana Fan Club, where enthusiasts share memories and celebrate the band’s enduring influence.