Alex Ligertwood, Santana's Iconic Vocalist, Passes Away at 79
Alex Ligertwood, the voice behind some of Santana's biggest hits, has died at 79. His powerful vocals defined an era of the band's sound.
Alex Ligertwood, the Scottish singer celebrated for his work with Santana, has died at the age of 79. The news was confirmed by his wife, Shawn Brogan, who stated that he passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Monica, California, on April 30. "It’s with great sadness and heartache to announce the passing of my sweet dear Alex Ligertwood," she wrote. "Alex died peacefully in his sleep with his doggy Bobo by his side."
"Alex was loved by so many," she added. "If you knew him, you loved him. He touched so many with his extraordinary voice. He was all heart and soul."
Ligertwood's final performance was just weeks before his passing, marking the end of a career that spanned six decades.
Alex Ligertwood
While Ligertwood collaborated with numerous artists, he is most renowned for his role as lead vocalist with Santana from 1979 to 1994. His distinctive, soulful voice became a defining characteristic of the band's sound during this period, featuring prominently on albums such as ‘Marathon’ (1979), ‘Zebop!’ (1981), and ‘Sacred Fire: Live In South America’ (1993).
He lent his voice to some of Santana’s most beloved tracks, including ’Winning’, ‘Hold On’, and ‘You Know That I Love You’, during a period when the band shifted towards a more AOR (Adult-Oriented Rock) style.
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.
The big band in the sky just got infinitely better with Alex’s arrival. pic.twitter.com/FQ0p9lri79
— Brian Auger (@brianaugerb3) May 2, 2026
Born in Glasgow on December 18, 1946, Ligertwood's musical journey began in the 1950s with skiffle music. He later joined the band The Senate. Before joining Santana, he also worked with The Jeff Beck Group and Average White Band, establishing himself as a remarkable vocalist.
In his later years, he continued to perform live and released a solo album, ‘Outside The Box’, in 2019.
Among those who paid tribute was Brian Auger, the veteran British rock star and frontman of Brian Auger And The Trinity. Ligertwood had a stint in Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express in the early ’70s. Auger shared on X: "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."
"The big band in the sky just got infinitely better with Alex’s arrival."
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