Alex Ligertwood obit

Scottish-born former Santana vocalist Alex Ligertwood dies aged 79

 

He was not on the list.

Tributes have poured in following the death of Glasgow-born singer and guitarist Alex Ligertwood at the age of 79.

Ligertwood passed away in his sleep on Thursday, April 30, at his home in Santa Monica in California, having battled health issues for several years.

Known for his soulful, powerful vocals, Ligertwood had five separate stints as the lead singer of Santana between 1979 and 1994, featuring on hits like "Winning", "Hold On", "All I Ever Wanted" and "You Know That I Love You".

Like many musicians of his generation, he took up guitar during the 1950s skiffle boom, having cut his teeth singing in school choirs and playing in his local Boys' Brigade pipe band.

His father, an amateur drummer, had bought an upright piano, taught himself to play and thus created the venues for family gatherings and sing-songs in Kelvinhaugh, Govan, Partick and Drumchapel as the Ligertwoods moved around.

Ligertwood's skiffle group grew into the Meridians, whose drummer, Jeff Allen, moved on via the Beatstalkers to East of Eden and Van Morrison, among many others. Ligertwood also played with the East Kilbride-based Kwintones before joining the Senate, the Scottish soul group much admired as a backing band by singers including Ben E King and Solomon Burke.

A residency in Rome with the Senate took Ligertwood off down a road that would lead to him fronting Santana for 15 years, as well as working with other illustrious names such as Jeff Beck, Narada Michael Walden, Average White Band, and former E Street Band keyboardist David Sancious.

Ligertwood also performed with Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, becoming a key member of the jazz-rock group in the early-to-mid 1970s. When he stepped onto the stage with the band at Glasgow's O2 ABC in November 2015 as of a UK and European tour with the band, it was the first time the singer had appeared in his hometown in more than 54 years.

Paying tribute to Ligertwood on social media, Brian Auger wrote: "It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I must share the news that my dear friend and fellow traveller on The Oblivion Express, Alex Ligertwood, has passed away.

"To me, Alex aka 'Wee Eck' was simply the best singer to ever do it. In all my years of music, I never heard anyone who possessed that kind of range or that effortless, carefree ability to soar through a melody. He didn't just sing songs; he lived them.

"The world feels much quieter today without his voice, and I will miss my friend more than words can say. The big band in the sky just got infinitely better with Alex’s arrival."

Gregor Boraman, Auger's manager, added: "Alex Ligertwood, the man with the vocal range of a Moog synth, teller of incredibly risqué jokes, very proud Glaswegian, vocalist for The Senate, The Jeff Beck Group, Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, and Santana, excellent wearer of hats, aka Wee Eck has checked out. What a life."

Other tributes have come in from The Magic of Santana, a German tribute band who Ligertwood often performed and whose guests have included other former Santana members.

In a post on social media, the band wrote: "We are so sad. We just heard about Alex J Ligertwood passed away! We had a great journey together with him and we learned so much about music, passion and friendship.

"He was one of the best singers on this planet and we will deeply miss him. Thank you Alex, for everything."

Uwe Metze, the band's tour manager, added: "It's with deep sadness that I post this. My friend, my buddy, Alex Ligertwood passed away yesterday. Since 2011 he had been the voice of The Magic of Santana. He became a good friend during this time of 15 years, and we shared many wonderful experiences.

"His songs "Somewhere in heaven" and "Make somebody happy" will never be forgotten. They were always highlights of the Magic shows - especially in duet with the other magnificent "Santana voice" Tony Lindsay. Now Alex is somewhere in heaven."

Music producer Gerry Gallagher also paid tribute, saying: "Alex was a friend, fellow Scot, fellow Glaswegian, and a legend in rock music.

"The loss of Alex is a deep loss personally, but an even deeper loss to music in general, as he performed so many live gigs worldwide with some of the greatest musicians in rock history, to the enjoyment of millions over a 60-plus-year career as a lead singer."