Carlos Santana had no concept concerning the form 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 informed The Publish 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.”
However because the night time went on on the newly constructed Staples Heart in Los Angeles on Feb. 23, 2000, “Supernatural” — the blockbuster LP by Santana’s namesake — was on its technique 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” report for probably the most Grammy wins by an artist in a single night time with eight victories. And the album “Supernatural” would go a step additional with one other win that introduced its whole to 9 out of 11 nominations — sharing the report for the winningest album with U2’s “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.” And 1 / 4 century later, each data nonetheless stand.
“It was really validating,” stated Santana, who had solely gained 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 sense that Santana and “Supernatural” — which led the nominees — would have a giant night time. He simply didn’t understand how large.
“I did try and handicap the show, and it was clearly a frontrunner,” he informed The Publish 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.”
However the night time was shaping as much as be a historic one when Santana gained six awards within the the pre-telecast ceremony: Finest Rock Album, Finest Rock Instrumental Efficiency (“The Calling”), Finest Rock Efficiency by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Put Your Lights On”), Finest Pop Collaboration with Vocals (“Smooth”), Finest Pop Efficiency by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Finest Pop Instrumental Efficiency (“El Farol”).
The latter award was a very 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.”
After host Rosie O’Donnell launched the present, the primary award of the telecast — Finest R&B Album — was offered 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 Membership.
“There was a major Latin presence on that show,” stated Ehrlich, noting that Santana was a part of that wave.
It was Thomas who accepted the Track of the 12 months award together with his “Smooth” co-writer Itaal Shur.
Santana needed to wait till later within the present for his first time onstage, when Document of the 12 months — one other victory for “Smooth” — was offered by Vince Gill, Gloria Estefan and Neil Diamond.
Finest 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.
“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 time, 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.”
After which, Bob Dylan and Hill — who Santana had collaborated with on her 1999 AOTY winner “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” — offered the ultimate award of the night time: Album of the 12 months.
“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.”
After which 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 have been so many individuals who contributed to creating ‘Supernatural’ a masterpiece of pleasure, and many people have 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.”
