Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire Newcastle City Hall 15th September 1975
This was a strong double bill of two quite different bands. Disco funk legends Earth, Wind and Fire opened the show. They had just released the album “That’s the Way of the World” and were massively successful in the USA, if less well known in the UK. I remember them having a big show, with lots of people on stage, and the highlight was a revolving drum kit (you had to see it to believe it 🙂 ). Santana had a lot to follow with such a strong opening act, but Carlos and the band rose to the occasion playing a set that included favourites like Black Magic Woman, Samba pa ti and Soul Sacrifice. The tour came between Santana’s sixth album “Borboletta” and their seventh “Amigos”. I recall that the concert was sold out and Marie and I went along without tickets. We managed to get two single seats, and spent the evening watching the concert standing at the back of the hall. 
The next time I saw Santana they were special guests for Bob Dylan at St James Park Newcastle, on 5th July 1984. Santana’s set at this massive open-air gig was Touchdown Raiders; Spirit; By the Pool; Samba pa ti; Breaking Out; Gypsy Queen; Incident at Neshabur; Waited All My Life; Two Points of View; Brotherhood; Savor; Who Loves You; Open Invitation; She’s Not There; Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile); Right Now.
7 May
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Alan Conner on May 7, 2014 at 10:37 am
I was also at this concert and remember being mightily impressed by Earth,Wind &Fire. I hadn’t heard of them beforehand and had gone with the intention of seeing Santana, mainly because of Samba Pa Ti, one of my favourite singles at the time. Must be one of my favourite performances by a support act. Still got the ticket somewhere in the house
Posted by vintagerock on May 7, 2014 at 11:27 am
I agree Earth, Wind and Fire were great and a hard act for Santana to follow Cheers Peter