If one were to sculpt sound into soulful landscapes, the sculptor might resemble Carlos Santana. From his mystical riffs to the timbre of musical tradition resonating from his guitar, Santana is a virtuoso whose artistry transcends simple genre classifications. Whether you hear the opening bars of “Black Magic Woman” or the spellbinding collaborations in Supernatural, you’re hearing the heartbeat of an artist whose contributions to music are, frankly, immeasurable. Speaking of measurements, though, the monetary yardstick hovers at an impressive $50 million in 2023, according to IdolNetWorth.
The world first felt the full force of Santana’s artistry at Woodstock in 1969, and, boy, did it resonate. His eponymous band’s debut album Santana would follow shortly, unleashing hits like “Evil Ways” that gained instant acclaim. Through the 1970s and beyond, his virtuosity only continued to blossom. Take Abraxas, the album that gifted us “Oye Como Va,” or the aforementioned Supernatural, which won nine Grammy Awards and delivered the iconic track “Smooth” featuring Rob Thomas. This is not a curriculum vitae; it’s a tapestry of culture and emotion woven into sound.
The man behind the music is intriguingly spiritual, influenced by metaphysical philosophies and Eastern spiritual practices. He’s been happily married to drummer Cindy Blackman since 2010, and he fiercely advocates for educational efforts through the Milagro Foundation, which he established with his then-wife Deborah in 1998.
One might think that Santana’s business repertoire would strictly be musical, but the man’s a maestro in diversification. There’s a line of women’s shoes, a chain of upscale Mexican restaurants called Maria Maria, and a range of Santana-branded musical instruments. He’s also a philanthropist of note, with the Milagro Foundation contributing millions to underprivileged children for their education, health, and welfare.
Carlos Santana’s life is not merely a tale of musical excellence; it’s an ode to diversity, a tribute to spirituality, and a testament to the richness that results when one remains committed to both craft and community.
Sir Elton John performed for his largest crowd since stepping away from touring in 2023, taking the stage at the 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
The 78-year-old icon was in top form as he delivered a spectacular 90-minute performance at Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sunday (05.10.25), just after British Mercedes driver George Russell claimed victory.
Over 70,000 people filled The Padang stage area to enjoy a 16-song set packed with timeless favorites like Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, Bennie And The Jets, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, and I’m Still Standing.
It was Elton’s biggest live appearance since finishing his historic Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour two years earlier.
In the time since, Elton has faced challenges with his eyesight, but he refuses to let that slow him down.
The Your Song star, who ended his touring career to focus on family life with his husband David Furnish and their sons Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12, suffered a serious eye infection last July that left him blind in his right eye and with limited sight in his left.
He told The Times in April, “It’s upsetting. You feel emotional, but you have to accept it because I’m fortunate to have the life I do. I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see a bit out of here [left eye], so you just tell yourself to carry on.”
Speaking earlier about his struggle with vision loss, Elton shared with The Guardian, “I’m always an optimist. My eyesight isn’t great right now. There are days when I feel down, but then I remind myself how lucky I am. I’ve gained a new admiration for people living with sight loss, but I’ve got a good life and hope my vision gets better. I’ve overcome addiction, health problems, and I always find a way to stand up and move forward.”
Elton John's Singapore Grand Prix setlist:
Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
Bennie And The Jets
I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Tiny Dancer
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Philadelphia Freedom
Rocket Man
Levon
Candle In The Wind
Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
The Bitch Is Back
Crocodile Rock
I’m Still Standing
Your Song
Cold Heart