Gregg Rolie

Gregg Rolie, a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Santana 1998, Journey 2017), co-founded the legendary bands Santana and Journey, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history. In 1966, Rolie co-founded the Santana Blues Band, later shortened to Santana, alongside Carlos Santana. As the band’s original lead vocalist and keyboardist, he played a crucial role in their early success, performing at the iconic Woodstock Music and Art Festival in 1969. Rolie contributed to hit songs such as ‘Black Magic Woman,’ ‘Oye Como Va,’ ‘No One To Depend On,’ and ‘Evil Ways,’ with his distinctive Hammond B3 organ skills and vocals central to Santana’s sound.

Since 2001, Rolie has led his Gregg Rolie Band, releasing albums such as ‘Roots’ (2001) and ‘Rain Dance’ (2009). From 2012 to 2021, he toured as a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, performing iconic Santana classics. Rolie’s enduring legacy in rock music was further solidified in 2016 when he participated in the ‘Santana IV’ reunion album, which brought together Santana’s original lineup. Beyond his performance career, Rolie is a passionate proponent of music education and actively supports Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing musical instruments and instruction to children.