Renowned guitarist Carlos Santana, 77, was taken to a hospital in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, April 22, after encountering a medical issue during concert preparations. He was at the Majestic Theater for a soundcheck when he suffered a medical emergency, which was later attributed to dehydration.
Michael Vrionis, Santana’s manager, released a statement about the postponement of the San Antonio concert: “It is with profound disappointment that I have to inform you all that tonight’s show in San Antonio has been postponed. Mr. Santana was at the venue preparing for tonight’s show when he experienced an event that was determined to be dehydration.”
The postponement of the concert was described as a cautious decision in light of Santana’s health status. Observers at the theater reported witnessing Santana being placed on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital for monitoring.
Vrionis assured fans that Santana is recovering well and intends to reschedule the San Antonio performance as well as continue his U.S. tour.
This incident is the latest in a series of health-related interruptions impacting Santana’s performances in recent years. In January 2025, he had to delay several shows of his Las Vegas residency at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay after what his team described as a “hard fall” at his Hawaii residence, resulting in a broken finger on his left hand.
In July 2022, Santana faced a similar dehydration-related situation when he collapsed on stage during the Pine Knob Music Festival in Clarkson, Michigan. During his Miraculous Supernatural Tour with Earth, Wind and Fire, he experienced heat exhaustion and dehydration, compounded by food poisoning, according to reports.
Santana’s history of health challenges goes back further. In December 2021, he underwent an unplanned heart procedure, leading to the cancellation of several Las Vegas performances. In a video message, Santana shared that he had chest discomfort and was taken to the hospital by his wife, Cindy Blackman. He followed medical advice to rest and canceled seven shows to recover fully.
Despite these health issues, Santana remains active in touring as part of his Oneness Tour 2025. Approaching his 78th birthday in July, he has reflected on life and mortality, especially after losing close friends and fellow musicians Jeff Beck and Burt Bacharach. These events have reportedly given him renewed energy to perform.
Santana gained fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band Santana, creating a unique blend of rock and Latin American jazz. His music features blues-infused guitar lines along with Latin American and African rhythms played on instruments like timbales and congas.
After his initial success, Santana experienced a career resurgence in the late 1990s, which brought him renewed popularity and acclaim. He has continued to be a significant presence in the music industry, touring extensively despite occasional health-related delays.
The current U.S. segment of Santana’s tour is slated to run through the spring before he travels to Europe for summer performances.