Gregg Rolie Band – Original Santana – The way you remember it!

Gregg Rolie is responsible for co-founding two phenomenally popular, multi-platinum super groups; SANTANA and JOURNEY. In 1998, the world-class keyboardist-vocalist-producer was inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Fame as part of the original Santana band. In addition to launching- along with Carlos Santana- the now legendary act, Rolie also co-produced their first four groundbreaking albums. What’s more, his singing talents will forever be immortalized by his unforgettable lead vocals on classic Santana greatest hits including; Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, and Tito Puente’s composition, Oye Como Va. Recalling those heady days, he remembers, “It was an amazing time. We created something that no one could fathom…it was about the rhythms and solos more than the songs. It wasn’t Latin music, rock music, the blues—not any of the above. It was a combination of all of them”.

After choosing to part ways with Santana, Rolie went immediately on to establish Journey with fellow ex-Santana mate, guitarist Neal Schon, in 1972. In its original incarnation, Journey delivered a unique jazz-rock amalgam that spotlighted solo instrumental work more than vocals. In addition to once again lending his considerable vocal and keyboard prowess to the endeavor, Rolie co-wrote and co-produced the band’s first seven albums. Rolie toured extensively with Journey, remaining on throughout multiple personnel changes, including the 1978 addition of Steve Perry as lead vocalist before exiting after the hugely successful 1981 live double album Captured.

During the ‘80’s Rolie played, wrote and produced on the Santana albums Shango and Freedom, and released his debut, self-titled 1985 solo album and its 1987 follow-up Gringo, before co-founding the all-new Journe-esque rock group The Storm at the tail end of the decade. The Storm released two albums ‘92’s eponymous disc that yielded the #13 Billboard Hot 100 hit I’ve Got A Lot To Learn About Love and ‘96’s Eye Of the Storm. That same year, Rolie, along with five other original Santana members, formed Abraxas Pool, a spirited collaboration that resulted in the 1997 critically acclaimed album of the same name.