Michael Carabello

In 1998, Carabello was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Latin rock group Santana. “Innovator” is a label that is commonly misused in musician’s biographies. However in this case, if Michael Carabello hadn’t convinced his shy high school friend, Carlos Santana, to merge his rhythm guitar playing with conga drums; to lend his name to the band because it sounded so cool; to bring in timbale player Jose “Chepito” Areas; and if he hadn’t persuaded the Santana band to look beyond the blues — the Santana sound as we know it, internationally recognized for its percussion and guitar work, might not exist.  Michael set the standard for all conga players in rock and roll, World Beat and dance music. He set the benchmark that is still firmly in place today.