Alex Ligertwood, the Scottish rock legend who served as a vocalist for Santana, has died at the age of 79, just weeks after his final stage performance. The singer, known for his work on iconic tracks such as Smooth and Maria Maria, passed away peacefully in his sleep with his dog Bobo by his side, according to a statement from his wife, Shawn Brogan.
The announcement of his death at his longtime home in Santa Monica was made via Facebook on Saturday. Alongside photos of the musician, Brogan wrote: 'Alex was loved by so many. If you knew him, you loved him. He touched so many with his extraordinary voice. He was all heart and soul.' She added that Ligertwood's 'favourite thing in life was to make music, sing and to share his gift,' and expressed gratitude for his final show weeks prior. 'He did it his way, on his terms, till the end,' she concluded, asking fans to keep her and their children in their prayers.
Health Issues and Legacy
According to the Scottish Herald, Ligertwood had been living with health issues in the years leading up to his death. The Glasgow-born singer was part of Santana's rotating lineup from 1979 to 1994, contributing to albums like Marathon (1979) and Zebop! (1981). His vocals appear on several band tracks, including the 1979 hit You Know That I Love You and the 1981 song Winning.
Ligertwood first picked up a guitar in the 1950s and went on to shape Santana's sound during his tenure. After leaving the band, he performed with other acts, including the tribute band The Magic of Santana.
Tributes Pour In
Fellow musician Brandon Paul, who toured with Ligertwood as part of Icons of Classic Rock, described him as a 'world-class professional.' Paul said: 'His voice was a force of nature – soulful, from the heart, and legendary every single night. Beyond the music, he was an amazing human being and a dear friend.'
A spokesperson for The Magic of Santana wrote on Facebook: '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!'
Ligertwood is survived by his wife and children.
