LEGENDARY LOSS

Iconic Santana Vocalist Dies at 79

He performed last only two weeks ago.

Alex Ligertwood, a contributing member of the band Santana, died at his longtime Santa Monica home. He was 79. The singer, who often performed lead vocals for the Latin rock band, “passed peacefully in his sleep with his doggy Bobo by his side,” according to the Brogan Agency and his daughter, Merci. The cause of death was not revealed. Ligertwood sang lead vocals for the band alongside frontman Carlos Santana five times for albums Marathon, Zebop!, Shango, and Sacred Fire: Live in South America between 1979 and 1994. In a statement to TMZ, fellow performer and guitarist Brandon Paul said the icon’s “voice was a force of nature” and that “beyond the music, he was an amazing human being and a dear friend.” Paul added, “Having a vocalist who worked with icons like Carlos Santana and Jeff Beck compliment my guitar playing is something I will carry with me forever.”