In December 2021, Carlos Santana canceled all of his scheduled performances at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas due to what he called “an unscheduled heart procedure.” The singer, who turns 75 on July 20th, seemed to make a full recovery.

Fast forward to July 5, and Santana was performing at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan. This concert venue is outside.

The show started off normally. Concertgoers say he performed fan favorites including “Black Magic Woman.” One concertgoer, a meteorologist named Lori Pinson, explained, “He was making several statements on the state of the world, all positive. He was telling us about a new song that he had collaborated with Chris Stapleton saying he wanted to write a song that heals the world, titled Joy.”

Then, something completely unexpected and somewhat shocking happened. Santana collapsed on stage just moments into performing the song “Joy.”

Watch the video below to hear more about what Pinson witnessed during the concert.

Another witness at the concert, a journalist named Jo-Ann Barnas, tweeted, “They just told us to leave the venue, but so many are still here, stunned, looking at a near empty stage at Pine Knob, Clarkston Mi. Santana was about 1 minute into a song he had collaborated with Chris Stapleton. Carlos was calling for healing and joy.”

Concertgoers say Santana was removed from the stage on a stretcher but that he waved as he was rolled away.

Santana was taken to the emergency department of a nearby medical clinic. According to his manager, Michael Vrionis, he was “over-taken with heat exhaustion and dehydration.” He added that Santana is “doing well.” 

Santana was scheduled to perform at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, on July 6. That performance will be rescheduled.

[Image credit: Wikipedia]