Alex Ligertwood: The Soulful Voice of Rock and Funk
Alex Ligertwood is a Scottish vocalist best known for his long tenure as the lead singer of the jazz-rock band Santana. His powerful and soulful voice became a defining element of the band's sound during the 1980s and beyond. Ligertwood's work with Santana includes several commercially successful albums that achieved gold and platinum status.
Early career
Born in 1946 in Glasgow, Scotland, Alex Ligertwood began his musical journey in the 1960s. He first gained professional experience as a session singer and performed with various groups, including the psychedelic rock band The Dream Police. His early career involved moving to London and later to the United States, where he contributed to projects for artists like Brian Auger and Jeff Beck.
Breakthrough
Alex Ligertwood's major breakthrough came in 1979 when he was invited to join Santana. He made his debut on the band's 1979 album Marathon, which reached number 25 on the Billboard 200 chart. His distinct voice and stage presence solidified his role, leading to a period of sustained popularity and high-profile touring for the group.
Key tracks
All I Ever Wanted — This track from the 1981 album Zebop! showcased Ligertwood's vocal range and became a staple of Santana's live sets during his era.
Winning — As the lead single from Marathon, this song marked Ligertwood's powerful introduction to a global rock audience.
Hold On — Featured on the 1982 gold-certified album Shango, this track highlighted his ability to blend soulful delivery with Santana's signature guitar-driven sound.
Say It Again — This popular song from the 1985 album Beyond Appearances demonstrated the consistent chart presence of Santana with Ligertwood on vocals.
The River — A deep cut from the 1992 album Milagro, it remains a fan favorite that exemplifies his emotive and gritty vocal style.
Beyond his core work with Santana, Alex Ligertwood maintained a diverse career. He collaborated with artists like Average White Band, David Sanborn, and the Crusaders. He also fronted the band Vertú, founded by drummer Lenny White, and released solo material, including the 1999 album Mistaken Identity.
Fans of Alex Ligertwood's soul-infused rock vocals may also enjoy the music of Paul Carrack, another versatile singer known for his work in rock and blue-eyed soul. The powerful stage presence of Bad Company shares a similar classic rock energy. Listeners might appreciate the funk-rock fusion of Tower of Power for its brass-driven intensity. The smooth yet potent delivery of Steve Winwood also explores comparable soul and rock territories.
The music of Alex Ligertwood, particularly his hits with Santana, maintains a strong presence on classic rock FM stations and adult album alternative radio stations. His tracks are regularly featured in rotations that celebrate the defining rock and funk sounds of the 1980s and 1990s.
You can hear the powerful vocals of Alex Ligertwood on radio stations featured on our website. Explore the classic rock and funk genres and listen to his music with Santana and beyond through the online radio streams available on onairium.com.
