Alexander John Ligertwood (/ˈlɪərtwʊd/; LIH-jərt-wuud) (born 18 December 1946) is a Scottish singer, guitarist and drummer.

Alex Ligertwood
Ligertwood at the World Classic Rockers Concert, 23 June 2007 Camarillo, California
Ligertwood at the World Classic Rockers Concert, 23 June 2007 Camarillo, California
Background information
Birth nameAlexander John Ligertwood
Born (1946-12-18) 18 December 1946 (age 77)
Glasgow, Scotland[1]
OriginChipping Barnet, England
OccupationsMusician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, drums
Years active1965–present

Early life, family and education

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Ligertwood was born in Drumchapel, Glasgow, Scotland.[1]

Career

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He is best known as the lead vocalist of Santana, with five different stints from 1979 to 1994, which included the US Festival in 1982. He is credited on songs by Santana such as "All I Ever Wanted", "You Know That I Love You", "Winning" and "Hold On". He also performed with the Senate, the Jeff Beck Group and Brian Auger's Oblivion Express. He appeared with Go Ahead side project started by members of Grateful Dead,[2] John Cipollina and friends, the Average White Band and David Sancious.[3]

Ligertwood sang lead vocals on the song "Crank It Up" by The Dregs, (previously known as Dixie Dregs), from the album Industry Standard (1982),[4] as well as contributing the lead vocal on the song "Double Bad" from Jeff Lorber's album In the Heat of the Night (1984).[5]

In 1972, he was a member of the ephemerous Troc band with drummer André Ceccarelli, bassist Jannick Top, pianist Henri Giordano and guitarist Jacky Giraudo.[citation needed] From 1986 to 1988, Ligertwood was a member of Go Ahead with Bill Kreutzmann and Brent Mydland.[6]

During 2000, he toured with World Classic Rockers. He sang on a cover of the Scorpions song "Is There Anybody There", which appears on drummer Herman Rarebell's solo album Acoustic Fever (2013). In 2014, Ligertwood's vocals were featured on tracks by El Chicano. In the same year, he toured in Japan and Europe with Brian Auger and the Oblivion Express.[7]

In 2014, Ligertwood was invited by producer Gerry Gallagher to record with Latin rock band El Chicano. His vocals are featured on the songs "Make Love", "The Viper" and "Outbound" from a Gallagher studio collaboration. Ligertwood has also performed with the Magic of Santana, a German tribute band whose guests have included other former Santana members.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Glasgow-born singer who went from his local Boys Brigade pipe band to singing with Latin rock gods Santana". GlasgowLive.co.uk. 28 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Grateful Dead Go Ahead Vine". Dead.net. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Alex Ligertwood interview". The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Industry Standard". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  5. ^ "In the heat of the night". AllMusic. 3 September 1984. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  6. ^ "Hooterollin' Around: Go Ahead and Bob Weir 1987-88 (Brent Mydland III)". Hooterollin.blogspot.com. 11 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Brian Auger's Oblivion Express/The Band page". Brianauger.com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
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