Jan. 12, 1998, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, Waldorf-Astoria, Manhattan. It’s arguably the classiest class of musicians ever assembled: Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Mamas and the Papas, Lloyd Price, Santana, Gene Vincent, Jelly Roll Morton, Allen Toussaint.
In the dead of winter this fine fitness instructor I fancied iced me with every ask. Dinner? Eh. Broadway Show? Meh. Tahiti?
Ugh.
I had snagged tickets to the rock hall induction.
“Hey, wanna join me? It’s Eagles, Santana and …”
“What? Yes!”
Who knows, I preen, maybe we’ll get lucky and meet one of them.
We stroll into the Waldorf lobby and there’s the great Santana front and center mingling with entourage.
Talk about a quick warmup on a cold night. We said nothing, let him do his business.
Many hours later, I got lucky.
Thank you, Carlos.
Carlos Santana’s 1001 Rainbows Tour arrives at The Amp on July 31.
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3Ij7byu