Through the years, so many people have asked me HOW it was that I ended up playing with Santana. I took the opprtunity to tell the story at the Rock Hall of Fame.
I discovered Santana around 1975 when I was 14, and have never stopped. I went to the local cinema in Kent , UK to see the film Woodstock. None of my pals were interested ... they were more into glam rock. At the end of Soul Sacrifice the place erupted... local Hells Angels, Mods Hippies and Rockers all stood cheered and cheered. Amazing. Shrieve is off the scale as s drummer and seeing this speech a budding comedian. Rolie has been an abs inspiration to me ( still playing his organ chops 46 years later) , Carlos remains a role model for how to be a great musician and a decent human being
"Here I was, a little white boy from the suburbs, now I was living with a militant black, a Nicaraguan, a Puerto Rican and a Mexican." What a beautiful way of describing humanity. Loved that. So poetic too.
Michael: congratulations on this most deserved honor. I heard your stuff in the Woodstock film, around 1972, and even then I knew that "Soul Sacrifice" was an absolutely titanic performance. Thanks for everything!
I've watched Soul Sacrifice so many times. It was terrific at Woodstock but the version live at Tanglewood was the best. Mike was just the best on that night. Hard to believe you were only 18 then. He hit the nail on the head when he said they were making great music.
FSM damned right! Slow the video down to 0.50 and listen to his flams. Unbelievable! And WATCH his stick work. I dig Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Bernard Purdy, and a host of others, but THIS tops my list of drum solos. My favorite band (or at least in the top five, after the Beatles ☮ 😎🥁 ) is It's a Beautiful Day, and I have occasionally wondered what a SF psychedelic "supergroup" would sound like with David LaFlamme, Jack Cassidy, John Cippolina & Gary Duncan (Quicksilver), Grace Slick, and Mike Shrieve would sound like (can't decide on keyboards lol).
Damn; that was a great speech! My Santana story: Early in "69 I flew out to SF from NY and stayed at Eddie Mahoney's place in Berkeley. He'd just moved there from NY. One day we hitched a ride into San Francisco to see the Steve Miller Band at the Avalon Ballroom. Before we go in, we run into Elvin Bishop walking down the street. He says he's gonna be jamming that night with the Linn County band, and brings us in with him. We hang backstage with Miller & Scaggs & all the other band members, and at one point Elvin points to a picture of a band on the wall. He says they're gonna be huge. Five months later I'm sitting in front of the stage at Woodstock, and there they are. Blew the place away. *Michael Shrieve* was intense. Couple of side notes: Photographer Jim Marshall shot the band from behind, looking out to the crowd, so I'm in a great picture with them. And my friend Eddie eventually changed his last name to "Money".
@@joeherbert7555 He was a lot of fun to hang with! But he had just had his guitar stolen shortly before that day, and he was pretty upset about it. I'd love to run into him again sometime.
@@michaelshrieve5571 I got a million of them! ;-) Later that day after seeing you guys, Pete Townshend tossed me his guitar after smashing it up. Like a fool, I handed it back to some roadie who'd climbed the picket fence in front of the stage. My van was parked right behind the stage, so I should have taken it there! Probably quite a collector's item by now. Those were amazing times, and you were part of something huge. Hope you're still playing these days!
Michael, I met you at Carlos Rios' parents house when you were in Novo Combo. You were so humble and nice! You made a phone call, and the next thing I know, we are at the Universal Amphitheater celebrating Mickey Thomas' birthday backstage before a Jefferson Starship concert! Next morning we all had breakfast in Hermosa Beach, I will never forget! You are truly a great human being, and have talent beyond what is known in the world of music!
Soul Sacrifice at Woodstock is my absolute favorite video of all time. A big part of the appeal is your performance. Hearing the story of how you came to be there is almost as good as the performance itself.
I cannot count how many times I have watched the Santana RU-vid videos from Woodstock. You were a true prodigy and I get a feeling of pure joy watching you connect with your instrument and the band. Thank You!!
hi michael you know my great obsession with soul sacrifice i swear i can't stop listening to it i've listened to it this month about 30 times you're legendary just today i bought santana's album their first album which contains songs they played in woodstook and i'm going to take care of me until I die thanks for being so good in the drums I would like to meet you but it is impossible for me you are great greetings
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESSE YOU AND YOUR PARENTS ALL THE GOOD VIBES THAT YOUR DRUMMING GIVE ME DURING THIS 44 YEARS IN MY 58 YEARS OF LIFE Since I have heard the sound of your drums, my heart beat with such a part of the Universe. Sincerly yours
Can you tell me who has said Michael Shrieve was underrated? I've never heard that. At best, overlooked but clearly the performance at Woodstock has to stand on or around the top live performances for a drummer in Rock history.
Great story, thank you Michael Shrieve for giving me one of the greatest memories of my young teenage years when I went with a group of other kids to see the movie 'Woodstock' at a theatre in Oakland, we ALL became fans of yours that day...after all, you didn't just give a historic performance, you were one of us age-wise and I remember we were all blown away by what you did...
I first saw the Woodstock Soul Sacrifice video in 2015. It was a blisteringly cold morning in January, some 10 degrees below zero. My neighbor had just left for work. I was immediately captivated by the congas and drums, as I'd been playing percussion since high school, some 35 years. I dusted off my bongos, the only instruments of percussion I have left, and played along. I played through three times that morning, before my forearms began to cramp up, and the song remains a part of my percussion stable, which I use on a much more frequent basis to maintain proficiency.
Although other sessions were hailed as technically superior to Woodstock what they lack is the complete symbiotic experience of their first introduction to America as a whole and the tight interaction of the entire band playing as one.
Hey Michael, it's 9/20/21, on vacation from work and watching 60s videos. Started with videos on Monterey Pop Festival '67 and continued with Woodstock '69. Watched both performances of Soul Sacrifice from Woodstock and Tanglewood '70. Man, you nailed/killed/stuck it... not enough adjectives. 👍👌🙌💯 I'm almost sixty years young... had the passion for drums, just not the talent. Bravo, bravo, bravo!!!
Saw the band at the Fillmore, Michael was my exact age, late show and it changed a lot of our lives, most amazing experience ever- Stay well, Mr. Shrieve, and thank you Carlos and the entire band.
Every time I listen to early Santana your amazing drumming comes alive including the Mexican, Black, Puerto Rican and Nicaraguan sound, 😂. God bless Michael Shrieve. Hello from Vancouver Canada
Wow. We met on Fourth of July, 1968, South Lake Tahoe. The Flaming Groovies opened the show, then, The Santana Blues Band (who?...man, these guys are smokin...look at those fn BONGOES!) and made The Chambers Brothers, headliners with "Time" that day, look tame. I was 18, and that show is one of my most cherished memories.
MICHAEL SHRIEVE est le plus grand drummer que le monde a connu jusqu'à ce jour de l'an 2021 Il a été aussi à compter du jour de Woodstock, l'âme du Groupe Santana des seventies Il a été réclamé par les plus grands interprètes au cours des décennies suivantes Les grands ne meurent jamais car leurs œuvres leur survivent M. Shrieve pour l'éternité aura marqué l'histoire mondiale du rock I'm two years older than him, I saw him appear in Woodstock I was 22 I am grateful to him for that
Your drum solo made Rock history and was literally the center piece of the Woodstock movie. Congratulations and thank you, your music has been a very important part of my life since I was a youngster.
Oh, man... what a honor & pleasure to see you in greate shape and health ! along wiht the others, specially David Brown. And the acceptance of the Santana Band is fuuly deserved !! But the better part is that I can tell you that you are the BEST DRUMMER EVER passed the S.B !! With all my idolatry for the band... Long live and prosper!
You give the most entertaining, insightful and meaningful speeches. I wish I could interview you and broadcast what a wise, talented and industrious person you are!
Way, way, back in the day, after I had turned on circa July '69, I started to buy LPs. Now, we had a crappy little record player with an oval full range speaker that was only marginally better than tin cans and a string. My best bud down the road (no streets; we were in farm country way upstate NY) and his kin had a console stereo that wasn't half-bad (better than those atrocious earbud thingys). I started buying some of the stuff I was hearing on Rochester's FM station. The first five I bought were, in no particular, MC5's "Kick Out the Jams", "Chicago Transit Authority", "Santana", Quicksilver's "Just For Love", and the Doors' "Waiting For the Sun". It was Terry Kath's and Carlos Santana's guitar work that inspired my friend to pay his way through college playing jazz guitar. Me, after I listened to Mike Shrieve, Ginger Baker, and a handful of others, hung up my 2Bs until around age 35, when I bought a Ludwig kit and started playing in a (go figure) three piece punk band.
you my freind are part of history- i am from caribbean island of trinidad and am still hooked at 74 - keep strong saw carlos at last in 2010 and 2015 at bethel woods where the first woodstock was held- that will never go away- peace
Bien merecido este homenaje a los integrantes originales de Carlos Santana que pena que por desavenencias no esté presente Chepito Arias el es también u n buen percusionista los quiero mucho porque marcaron en mi vida muchas vivencias que no olvidaré.
I was not much younger than you when i saw you in the "Woodstock" movie, on the other side of the planet. You have been a Legend for me and my childhood friends. Your playing comes from the heart, as it supossed to, and it shows !
You've always been an inspiration to me as a drummer in the UK. Was literally watching your Woodstock performance when this video popped up. A well deserved honour sir...
Like everyone else I loved his drumming on “Soul Sacrifice” Woodstock. I remember hearing the radio commercials to buy tickets for Woodstock. Living in New Jersey we had a cross country road trip planned for months. Thought about delaying the start to go to concert but then decided not to. I might of takin the “Brown Acld”. I was always curious about the drug.
Hey Mr. Shrieve -- how did you learn to play your rolls so clean, strong and precise going back at least as far as Woodstock? Did you study and practice the rudiments a lot? Were you ever in a drum and bugle corp? You are a truly amazing player.
Thanks for your compliments! I had the BEST teachers. Anthony Cirone, Pete Magadini, Mike DeLuca. Where I took lessons with Mike was at Hart Music, Mickey Hart’s father’s music store, in San Carlos, CA. Mickey worked behind the counter and he would show me heavy rudimental stuff, which loved! So I would go from the counter with Mickey and the rudiments, into Mike DeLuca’s room where we would work on serious funk material, starting with James Brown. Michael Carvin and Peter Magadini both trusted my desire and my skills, and kind of brought me into the Inner Sanctum. And my earliest teacher, Peter Bernstein, really gave me the most important basics, working out of the Buddy Rich book. Each drum teacher came into my life at the perfect time. What I’ve learned in retrospect is…when you hear the call, listen! And then, most importantly, say YES!
You may have had the best teachers Michael, but you still have to put in the work and you did and it shows. You were meant to drum. You are my favorite drummer...well, you and Ringo are a tie for me. Respect.
I love what you say about music having the power to take us into a different realm on your website Michael. Like others here I first heard you during the Woodstock performance, also on a great lp you did with Schon and Hagar, utter brilliance, especially ‘Giza’. Best wishes to you from London!
I will never forget your performance, I was about your Age And I lived in Southeast Missouri I tried my best to figure out some way to get to Woodstock, My father was a Baptist minister, As I can say nowadays since I'm 70 years old there was no way in hell I was gonna make it, I thank you for the performance I will never forget it☮☮☮ Peace out
I was supposed to meet Carlos back in 1997 {around that time}And the guy never called me back. Anyway,I would have loved to sit in for him.Love this band from the beginning. Thank you for the music Santana.Maybe some day that guy that said he used to deliver the wood for your fireplace will call.
Wow, life takes unexpected twists and turns. But your courage and willingness to step out and step up made great things happen for you and the rest of us. What a great, true story. Congratulations and thank you!
I saw the video of Soul Sacrifice by Santana at Woodstock and then I heard the drum solo and wondered who he was... I looked it up and now I know...Great story , great drummer, and great person. Keep your sense of humor and humility bro!
Man, I've been waiting to find his FULL acceptance speech. I've heard Shrieve on many podcasts and have found him to be insightful, eloquent and FUNNY! Kind of like a zen version of Lukather. If this is in fact, THE actual Michael Shrieve channel, I'd like to pose the following questions: 1. What Santana-era recording (of the entire band 1969-1974) ) blew you most away upon hearing on the first playback/mix? 2. What recording of yourself are you most proud of? 3. What Santana-era recording was the most memorable? I have my own...1. Toussaint L' Overture (1971), 2. Flame Sky (1973), and I can't answer the 3rd as I wasn't there. P.S. I'm STILL pissed Carlos didn't take Santana IV on the road.
1) I have to say that hearing "Jingo" from the first album on the radio in the car for the first time just blew me away. I was amazed at how great it sounded and how DIFFERENT it was to anything else on the radio. 2) There are two songs that I'm most proud of my drumming from the Santana years. "Song of the Wind" from Caravanserai, and "Your is the Light" from Welcome. 3) I'd say that "Abraxas" was the most memorable. Our second album, but musically, we had grown so much really fast. A great album. And one other for me was "Caravanserai". That may be my favorite, and one that I'm really proud of the whole concept of the album. Clive Davis heard and said the we were committing career suicide. Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon hated it so much they left the band and started Journey! I also really love "Toussaint L'Overture and "Guajira" from Santana 3. P.S. I too, am really pissed that we didn't tour extensively after recording Santana IV. A huge opportunity missed and I think really selfish of Carlos and his management.
@@michaelshrieve5571 Song of the wind is one of my all time favorites - 6+ minutes of total eargasm! Drove Monument Valley one night in '86, and that was on my player all the way across, an experience I'll never forget!!! Absolutely superb! PS: I really like what you and the original guys did on Abraxas Pool - outstanding overall!
@@michaelshrieve5571 Hey, man...so cool that you replied (sorry, I was never notified). And yes of course! SOTW is probably my Top 5 favorite instrumental tunes of all time. Weird. Upon first hearing Caravanserai as a young teen I remember thinking, "What is this? It didn't sound anything like the previous albums. It was ethereal, fluid, and freeform-ish yet technically brilliant. Honestly, while it took me awhile to fully absorb it-I sensed that it was something incredibly unique. Who knew that the album would not only contribute to the [original] band's dissolution, but would also be considered a landmark recording rivaling Weather Report, RTF and the Mahavishnu Orchestra? 1972 was an amazing year for music.
@@michaelshrieve5571 I’ve always said that Ginger Baker, John Bonham, Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell were the best rock drummers of the 60s. After I saw your performance in Woodstock I had to add a new name to the list. Regards.
