Winning

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Winning" by Santana from the 1981 album Zebop!. This pop rock anthem, originally written by Russ Ballard in 1976, was transformed by Santana into a chart-topping hit, reaching number 17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The track, featuring the soulful lead vocals of Alex Ligertwood, marked a significant moment for Santana, becoming one of their last top 40 hits until the 1999 comeback with Supernatural. Fun fact: the song’s uplifting lyrics about overcoming adversity resonated widely, and Santana’s version was so iconic that it’s been covered by artists like Nona Hendryx, Jørn Lande, and even country star Keith Urban. In a mock concert setting at A&M Records’ stage in Los Angeles, Santana shot a promotional video for "Winning," showcasing Carlos Santana playing a rare Telecaster guitar, a departure from his usual gear.

Digging deeper, "Winning" was part of Zebop!’s shift toward a more commercial rock sound, a move that brought Santana back into the spotlight after years of jazz-fusion experimentation. According to a 2016 article on Ultimate Classic Rock, Carlos Santana himself noted the album’s return to a radio-friendly vibe, with "Winning" breaking a decade-long dry spell since their last Top 20 single. Fans on the Santana Fan Club Facebook Group often share stories of how the song’s infectious energy and Latin-infused guitar riffs lit up their 80s dance floors. The album’s production, co-helmed by Santana and Bill Graham, included vibrant Latin percussion, as heard in tracks like "E Papa Ré," blending the band’s roots with a polished pop edge.

Let’s rewind to how Carlos Santana, the heart of Santana, got his start. Born on July 20, 1947, in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico, Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán grew up surrounded by music. His father, a mariachi violinist, taught him the violin at age five, but by eight, Carlos switched to the guitar, inspired by blues legends like B.B. King and T-Bone Walker. As a teenager in Tijuana, he played in local bands along the "Tijuana Strip," soaking up norteño, blues, and jazz influences. After moving to San Francisco in the 1960s, he was swept up in the city’s hippie movement and rock scene. In 1966, at just 19, Santana formed the Santana Blues Band, catching the eye of promoter Bill Graham. Their electrifying performance at Woodstock in 1969, highlighted by "Soul Sacrifice," catapulted them to fame, with their debut album hitting the top 10 on the Billboard chart.

Santana’s fusion of rock, Latin jazz, and African rhythms, driven by Carlos’s melodic, blues-based guitar lines, set them apart. Albums like Abraxas (1970) and Santana III (1971) produced hits such as "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va," cementing their legacy. Over the decades, Carlos’s spiritual journey, including his time following Sri Chinmoy and later becoming a born-again Christian, shaped his music’s hopeful and healing themes, culminating in the Grammy-winning Supernatural. Today, Santana continues to tour and release music, with their latest album, Sentient, dropping in 2025, as announced on their Instagram.

Stay connected with Santana through their official website for tour dates and news, or join the Santana Fan Club for exclusive presale tickets and photos. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates, like their recent posts about the Sentient album featuring collaborations with Michael Jackson and Cindy Blackman Santana. Fans can also vibe with fellow Zoo Freaks in the Santana Fan Club Facebook Group or check out Ultimate Santana for accurate renditions of their classics. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Crew!