CARLOS SANTANA 1969 - WHAT I KNOW NOW

THE GUITAR VIRTUOSO LOOKS BACK ON A LIFE OF HIGH NOTES, FROM WOODSTOCK TO HIS 'SMOOTH' COMEBACK

- RACHEL DESANTIS

When Carlos Santana hit the stage at Woodstock in 1969, he had no idea the gig would kick off his ascent to the hallowed status of legendary guitarist. He wasn't even sure he'd be able to get through the show. "It was a real test, and the test was 'You are higher than an astronaut's butt right now with whatever Jerry Garcia shared with me,'" Santana, 75, recalls of goods given to him by the Grateful Dead frontman. "When I came out onstage, I was like, 'Oh my God, am I going to be able to play? I can't even touch my nose."" But play he did. And Santana's sizzling riffs-which he still cranks out in the band that bears his last name-made him a bona fide star after that festival set. "I was absolutely not prepared," he says, "but grace has a way of presenting the right timing."

In the years since, Santana, who was raised in Jalisco, Mexico, by his dad, José, a musician, and his mom, Josefina, has achieved perfect harmony. His band found glory with hits like 1969's "Evil Ways" and 1970's "Black Magic Woman" and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. The following year he launched a career renaissance with "Smooth," a No. 1 collaboration with Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas from Santana's Supernatural LP, which won eight Grammys, including Album of the Year.