By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media

“Incredible”, “awesome,” “best ever”. Those are just some of the accolades given by the thousands who waited for more than two years for the much anticipated but long delayed concert featuring two power house bands whose music is as timeless as it is popular. The Miraculous Supernatural Tour had finally come to Denver.

Thousands of long time fans filed into Ball Arena June 29th filled with excitement of what was to come. Many bragged of the many times they had seen Santana or Earth Wind & Fire in the past. “I saw him with Jerry Garcia at Bears Stadium” said one fan. Others at Red Rocks or Fiddler’s Green. “I saw Earth Wind & Fire at the Denver Coliseum when they came out these huge pyramid structures,” said Darlene Dominquez, adding “I just loved this show tonight”. Others talked of the many albums, 8-tracks, CD’s or tape cassettes they have collected over the decades of both of the groups music.

The lines for Santana & Earth Wind & Fire T-shirts were more than a block long inside the arena at every post available as it seemed everyone wanted to remember this night for years to come.

Earth, Wind & Fire has been around for more than 50 years winning seven Grammy Awards and selling more than 90 million records. Led by vocalist and former Denver East High School graduate, 71 year old Philip Bailey, the band performed many of their classics including “Shining Star,” “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Let’s Groove (Tonight),” “After the Love is Gone” and “Got to Get You into My Life” The band has so many hits many were shortened to get as many into their 90 minute set as possible.

“The way Earth, Wind & Fire started the night showed certainly showed they should have been the headliner. said Don Lucero, a longtime local musician and promoter. “But after what Santana did on that stage that night proved why his music and his persona are so iconic.”

Santana’s set began with a video clip from his 1968 performance at Woodstock with the unmistakable percussion’s of tune”Soul Sacrifice” ” the song that launched Santana in stardom although he had already been hugely popular in the San Francisco area for some time. The band smoothly took it from there warming up the crowd for what was to come. “Jingo” “Black Magic Woman” “Evil Ways” Oye Como Va” followed before launching into a variety diverse Afro and Reggae influenced numbers. Of course their was “Maria, Maria” and so many other Santana classics.

Carlos Santana recognized each of his band members but especially drummer Cindy Blackman Santana. After an extended powerful drum solo Santana said her stamina was that of a world class athlete. “Believe me”, he told the audience if you try to play the drums like that and you are not conditioned, you will fucking die”, adding “For real, I’m not kidding.” They met at a 2010 music festival in Europe when she filled for the drummer who had another commitment.

Electricity onstage generated to chemistry offstage. Carlos proposed to Cindy during a July 2010 concert, and they married that December in Maui, Hawaii.

Acknowledging the greatness of Earth, Wind & Fire, Santana informed the crowd that he wanted to record and perform with the band. “I am not kidding, I really want to do something with them and soon. Let’s get this thing happening”, he said.

Santana’s set seemed to end before people were ready to call it a night. But his four number encore satisfied that craving. Santana finished the night with the Jim Morrison, ‘Doors’ Rock & Roll classic “Road House Blues”. You know the tune: keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel. Even then when the arena lights came and it clear the show was over Carlos Santana walked to the front of the stage grabbed the microphone and told the crowd, “Just one last thing, Don’t let government or religion tell you how to live your life. You are each responsible for your own light, your own spirit, your own soul”.

Don Lucero, who said he has probably seen Santana 18 times over his lifetime in various venues and cities in the U.S. said this show was as good as all the rest he has attended. “He always plays the classics but always has something new, something creative to add to each performance.” Lucero who is also promoting a FREE 75 person conga percussion tribute to honor Santana’s 75th birthday at Sloans Lake on July 20th at 1:30, said I am so proud and respectful of what Carlos Santana has been able to accomplish. He has survived the vicious music industry and has managed to come out on top. That’s not easy to do. It’s hard for anyone to last as long as he has and still be able to fill every venue he performs at all these decades later.

If you missed this show or want to relive the experience and your planning a summer vacation you can still catch the The Miraculous Supernatural Tour at one of these upcoming shows:

Jul 01, 2022Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Maryland Heights, MO, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & FireBUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Jul 02,2022Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Tinley Park, IL, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Jul 05, 2022DTE Energy Music TheatreClarkston, MI, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Jul 06, 2022The Pavilion at Star Lake (formerly the S&T Bank Music Park)Burgettstown, PA, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & FireBUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Jul 08, 2022Ruoff Music Center
Noblesville, IN, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & FireBUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Jul 09, 2022 Riverbend Music Center
Cincinnati, OH, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire

BUY TICKETS VIP PACKAGESJul 102022American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Summerfest Grounds
Milwaukee, WI, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & FireBUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Jul 12, 2022Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion
Rogers, AR, United States Miraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Jul 15, 2022 Dos Equis Pavilion
Dallas, TX, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Jul 16, 2022 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Woodlands, TX, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Jul 23, 2022 California Mid-State Fair
Paso Robles, CA, United States BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 06, 2022 Hersheypark Stadium
Hershey , PA, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 07, 2022 Budweiser Stage
Toronto, ON, CanadaMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 10, 2022 Xfinity Center
Mansfield, MA, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 12, 2022 Mohegan Sun Arena
Uncasville, CT, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 13, 2022 Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Wantagh, NY, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 14, 2022 PNC Bank Arts Center
Holmdel, NJ, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 17, 2022 St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
Syracuse, NY, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 18, 2022 BB&T Pavilion
Camden, NJ, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 20, 2022 Jiffy Lube Live
Bristow, VA, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 21, 2022 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Bethel, NY, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & FireBUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 23, 2022 Credit One Stadium
Charleston, SC, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 24, 2022 Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Atlanta, GA, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 26, 2022 iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre at South Florida Fairgrounds
West Palm Beach, FL, United States Miraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Aug 27, 2022 MIDFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at FL State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL, United StatesMiraculous Supernatural 2022 Tour: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire BUY TICKETSVIP PACKAGES

Sep 14, 2022 House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United States An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live BUY TICKETS

Sep 16, 2022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United States An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Sep 17, 2022 House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United States An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live BUY TICKETS

Sep 182022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Sep 212022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Sep 232022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Sep 242022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Sep 252022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Nov 022022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Nov 042022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Nov 052022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Nov 062022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Nov 092022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Nov 112022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Nov 122022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS

Nov 132022House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAn Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits LiveBUY TICKETS