Study Your Santana

Carlos Santana has become international music's effervescent guitar man. For four decades he's banged out hits, earning him fame the world over.

And the firsts keep coming for The Mexican-born musician, who has wound a path across the globe this year. In January Santana launched the Live Your Light Tour with his first performance in the United Arab Emirates' Dubai. His tour transverses the map and it will hit the Valley Tuesday with his show at the Dodge Arena.

But study up on Santana before you go. Here's Festiva's quick Santana study guide, making it easy for all you out there.

>> Carlos Santana was born in Autlan de Navarro, Mexico - where there's now a street and public square named after him.

>> Santana's father is a virtuoso Mariachi violinist, and he began teaching his son the instrument when the boy turned 5.

>> Santana idolizes guitar heroes John Lee Hooker, T. Bone Walker and B.B. King.

>> The Santana Blues Band performed at the original Woodstock festival in 1969.

>> Santana has sold more than 90 million albums and performed globally for more than 100 million people.

>> Santana has been married to his wife Deborah Santana for more than 30 years.

Santana's top five favorite albums of all time are Kenny Garrett's "Beyond the Wall," Salvador Santana and Various Artist's "A Song for My Father," John Coltrane's "Blue Train," Miles Davis's "Birth of Cool," and Bob Marley's "One Love at Studio One."

SANTANA LIVE 7 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 23

• Buy Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
• Cost: Tickets start at $68
• Where: Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, TX

Source: www.santana.com.

Zack Quaintance covers features and entertainment for Festiva. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.