Carlos Santana is honoring the legacy of legendary music executive Clive Davis, calling him a "visionary" who could "hear the intangible before anyone else could see it." The guitar icon paid tribute to Davis following the executive's death on Monday in a heartfelt Facebook post.
"He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later he believed in us again," Santana wrote. "That kind of faith is a beautiful blessing, and I will always be grateful."
Davis signed the Santana band in the late Sixties as part of his mission to transform Columbia Records into a rock and roll powerhouse. The move paid off spectacularly—Santana released two Number One albums, Abraxas and Santana III, plus hit singles like "Evil Ways," "Black Magic Woman," and "Oye Cómo Va."
Decades later, Davis reunited with Santana in the late Nineties at Arista Records. The 1999 album Supernatural became a phenomenon—earning Diamond certification and sweeping the Grammys with nine wins, including Album of the Year.
In his tribute, Santana reflected on Davis's deeper mission. "Clive understood that music is more than entertainment," he wrote. "Music is a healing force. It brings people together beyond fear, beyond separation, beyond borders. He dedicated his life to championing artists and helping them share their gifts with the world."
The music world is mourning the loss of a titan who shaped generations of artists—from Whitney Houston to Bruce Springsteen to Santana himself. Davis's influence on pop culture and rock history remains unmatched.
