How Carlos Santana ruled a historic Grammy night…
Carlos Santana had no concept concerning the type of otherworldly magic that his “Supernatural” album was going to conjure up when it swept the Grammys 25 years in the past.
“I didn’t have any expectations, but I had what I call ‘willingness,’” the 77-year-old guitar god instructed The Post by way of e mail. “I simply opened my coronary heart to manifest blessings and miracles.
“Before the show, my kids were asking me about it,” he continued. “I was trying to stay grounded.”
“I just opened my heart to manifest blessings and miracles,” stated Carlos Santana of his large Grammy night in 2000. AFP by way of Getty Images
But because the night went on on the newly constructed Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 23, 2000, “Supernatural” — the blockbuster LP by Santana’s namesake — was on its method to historic heights propelled by its smash singles “Smooth” (that includes Rob Thomas) and “Maria Maria” (that includes the Product G&B).
Santana would tie Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” document for essentially the most Grammy wins by an artist in a single night with eight victories. And the album “Supernatural” would go a step additional with one other win that introduced its complete to 9 out of 11 nominations — sharing the document for the winningest album with U2’s “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.” And a quarter century later, each data nonetheless stand.
Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas had the final Grammy efficiency of the night with their smash “Smooth” in 2000. AFP/Getty Images
“It was really validating,” stated Santana, who had solely received one Grammy earlier than in three earlier nominations. “All I could think about was being that kid from Mexico and all I wanted to do was play with Michael Bloomfield and Jerry Garcia, and then to have the night unfold as it did was incredible. I know they were smiling down on me.”
Going into the forty second annual awards, longtime Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich had a feeling that Santana and “Supernatural” — which led the nominees — would have a large night. He simply didn’t know how large.
“I did try and handicap the show, and it was clearly a frontrunner,” he instructed The Post concerning the album, which featured an all-star array of visitor artists, together with Dave Matthews, Lauryn Hill and Eric Clapton. “It was very unique, different than pretty much anything else. But I don’t know that I thought it was going to sweep.”
“That evening ignited a flame that we still carry today,” stated Carlos Santana of his 2000 Grammy sweep. Getty Images
But the night was shaping up to be a historic one when Santana received six awards within the the pre-telecast ceremony: Best Rock Album, Best Rock Instrumental Performance (“The Calling”), Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Put Your Lights On”), Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (“Smooth”), Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Pop Instrumental Performance (“El Farol”).
The latter award was a significantly candy victory for Santana.
“My son Salvador and I wrote [it] for my father José Santana, who was an incredible musician and inspiration to me,” he stated. “He had recently passed. It was extremely elevating to honor him that way.”
Carlos Santana obtained his Album of the Year Award from Bob Dylan on the 2000 Grammys. AFP by way of Getty Images
After host Rosie O’Donnell launched the show, the primary award of the telecast — Best R&B Album — was introduced by David Duchovny and Jennifer Lopez, who wore the long-lasting inexperienced Versace costume with the punching neckline.
“She came out with the dress and forever changed how people dressed for awards,” stated Ehrlich. “There was not much left to the imagination. But the audience went crazy.”
Performances by Whitney Houston, the Backstreet Boys (alone and with Elton John) and TLC would observe, and there was a particular tribute to Latin music that includes Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and members of the Buena Vista Social Club.
Jennifer Lopez made a gorgeous arrival with co-presenter David Duchovny in her iconic inexperienced Versace costume. AFP by way of Getty Images
“There was a major Latin presence on that show,” stated Ehrlich, noting that Santana was half of that wave.
It was Thomas who accepted the Song of the Year award along with his “Smooth” co-writer Itaal Shur.
Santana needed to wait till later within the show for his first time onstage, when Record of the Year — one other victory for “Smooth” — was introduced by Vince Gill, Gloria Estefan and Neil Diamond.
Best New Artist nominee Britney Spears carried out “From the Bottom of My Broken Heart” and “…Baby One More Time” earlier than she misplaced that award to her fellow “Mickey Mouse Club” alum Christina Aguilera.
Britney Spears carried out “From the Bottom of My Broken Heart” and “…Baby One More Time” on the 2000 Grammys. Getty Images
“I didn’t want to put her on,” stated Ehrlich of Spears. “I got talked into that probably by the [Recording] Academy and obviously the network because she was so big.”
Then, within the final efficiency of the night, Santana and Thomas did “Smooth” in a crowning Grammy second.
“I saved that performance to the end of the show, and by that time, Santana had already won a bunch of Grammys,” stated Ehrlich. “It was promised to be one of the strongest numbers in the show.”
And then, Bob Dylan and Hill — who Santana had collaborated with on her 1999 AOTY winner “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” — introduced the ultimate award of the night: Album of the Year.
Carlos Santana celebrated his eight Grammy wins along with his label head Clive Davis on the 2000 awards. Getty Images
“It was really just a blur of emotions and smiling eyes,” stated Santana. “All I could think was that I wanted to dedicate the night to John Coltrane and John Lee Hooker.”
And then the celebration started.
“Seeing Jeff Beck, Bob Dylan, Clive Davis and so many other amazing musicians and friends share in our collective joy was an incredible feeling,” stated Santana. “There had been so many people who contributed to creating ‘Supernatural’ a masterpiece of pleasure, and lots of of us had been capable of soak within the second collectively later that night.
“I’ll always be grateful to everyone who gave me their hearts and contributed. That evening ignited a flame that we still carry today.”
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