Rock legend Carlos Santana suffered heatstroke and collapsed during Tuesday night’s show at the Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston, his management team confirmed on Facebook early Wednesday.
Concertgoers say the 74-year-old musician was singing “Joy” before he suddenly stopped.
“He was walking and playing and all of a sudden he fell down,” said Janet Brown of St. Clair Shore, who was celebrating her birthday by attending her fourth Santana concert.
The lights dimmed, and then arena officials announced that Santana would not be returning to the stage.
Santana’s team posted on her Facebook page early Wednesday morning that she was “extremely suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration.” He was taken to the McLaren Clarkston emergency room for observation and is “doing fine,” the Post quoted Santana’s manager, Michael Vrionis, as saying.
Wednesday’s show in Burkettstown, Pennsylvania, has been postponed, the post said.
Commenting on the page, Santana wrote, “To everyone. Thank you for your kind prayers. Cindy and I are at peace. I forgot to eat and drink water so I was dehydrated and passed out. Blessings and miracles to you all. .”
The episode came as a shock to concertgoers like Detroit’s Tanisha Rowe, who was seeing Santana perform for the first time.
“It’s very nerve-wracking,” he said. “Many of those who performed at Woodstock are no longer with us today.”
John Collins, who was on the lawn for the concert, said, “You want to see him perform, and all’s well that ends well, and a situation like this never happens.
Santana performed Tuesday with Earth, Wind and Fire as part of their “Supernatural Tour.”
Pine Knob representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Dozens of concertgoers took to Twitter to express their concern.
“Everybody’s leaving. God bless Carlos Santana and take care of him, we need him!” said one user.
Last year, Santana said she had successful heart surgery and was canceling several Las Vegas shows scheduled for December, the Associated Press reported.
He turns 75 this month and has won 10 Grammys, including Album of the Year for 1999’s “Supernatural.”
