No One To Depend On

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "No One To Depend On" by Santana from the iconic Santana III album! This track, released in 1972, is a fiery Latin rock anthem that showcases the band's signature blend of blistering guitar riffs and infectious percussion. One juicy tidbit about the song is its roots in Willie Bobo's 1965 track "Spanish Grease," with the main melody adapted into a high-energy call-and-response between Carlos Santana's searing guitar and David Brown's thumping bass. The song's opening features a Spanish phrase, rumored to be "Salpica Micaela," spoken by percussionist José "Chepito" Areas, setting the rhythm's vibe for the band. Written by Gregg Rolie, Mike Carabello, and Coke Escovedo, the tune hit #36 on the Billboard Hot 100, but its real magic lies in its instrumental prowess, with minimal lyrics like "Ain't got nobody that I can depend on" letting the music do the talking. Fun fact: the song was later sampled in 2000 by pop singer Vitamin C for her track "Me, Myself and I," proving its lasting influence.

Another cool story comes from the recording of Santana III, when the band was riding high after Woodstock but teetering on the edge of collapse. Tensions were brewing, with Carlos Santana pushing for deeper Mexican musical roots while Gregg Rolie and young guitarist Neal Schon leaned toward progressive sounds. Despite the drama, the addition of 15-year-old Schon, who later co-founded Journey, brought a fresh edge to tracks like "No One To Depend On." The album, recorded at Columbia Studios in San Francisco, was the last with the classic Woodstock-era lineup until their 2016 reunion for Santana IV. In a 50-year retrospective, Glide Magazine praised drummer Michael Shrieve’s versatile beats and Rolie’s soulful vocals for giving the song its dynamic punch, making it a fan favorite that still rocks Santana’s Facebook and Instagram communities today.

Now, let’s rewind to how Carlos Santana, the heart of Santana, kicked off his legendary journey. Born in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico, on July 20, 1947, Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán started playing the violin at age five but switched to the guitar by eight, drawn to the bluesy sounds of T-Bone Walker and B.B. King. Growing up in Tijuana, he soaked up norteño music and played in local bands, honing his craft in the vibrant border scene. When his family moved to San Francisco in the 1960s, Carlos dove into the Haight-Ashbury counterculture, forming the Santana Blues Band in 1966. The group, blending Afro-Latin rhythms with rock, caught the eye of promoter Bill Graham, who booked them at the Fillmore. Their breakout came at Woodstock in 1969, where a mescaline-fueled performance of "Soul Sacrifice" catapulted them to fame, just before their debut album dropped. Carlos’s melodic, blues-based guitar lines, paired with congas and timbales, created a sound that was both revolutionary and timeless.

Santana’s legacy continues to thrive online. Check out the band’s official site at santana.com for tour dates and news about their latest album, Sentient. Connect with the community on Facebook, where fans share concert pics and memories, or follow Instagram for behind-the-scenes vibes. On X, Carlos posts about his music and humanitarian work, like the Milagro Foundation. For deeper dives, fan sites like Ultimate Santana offer song explorations, and Santana Fan Club on Facebook is a hotspot for Zoo Freaks to swap stories and celebrate the band’s Latin rock magic. Keep the groove alive, and stay tuned to THE ZOO for more Santana classics!