Renowned Former Santana Vocalist Alex Ligertwood Passes Away at 79

Renowned vocalist Alex Ligertwood, who once led the legendary band Santana, has passed away at 79 in his Santa Monica, California residence, as reported by his wife.

Shawn Brogan, the singer’s partner, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook this past Sunday. She expressed her sorrow in a public statement.

“With profound sadness and a heavy heart, I announce the passing of my beloved husband, Alex Ligertwood, with whom I shared 25 years of marriage,” Brogan revealed. “Alex departed peacefully in his sleep, with our cherished dog Bobo by his side yesterday.”

Brogan described Ligertwood as someone who was adored by many, noting that his exceptional voice and generous spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

Ligertwood’s tenure as the lead singer for the Carlos Santana-led band spanned five different periods between 1979 and 1994, as noted by the publication.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Carlos Santana’s representatives for additional comments regarding Ligertwood’s passing.

Among the tracks he was featured on included the 1979 songs You Know That I Love You; and All I Ever Wanted; 1981’s Winning and 1982’s Hold On.

According to a report from Scotland’s The Herald newspaper, Ligertwood died in his sleep Thursday after dealing with poor health for a number of years. 

Ligertwood initially began playing guitar in the 1950s amid a boom in the skiffle genre, according to the paper, and performed in his school’s choir and Boys’ Brigade pipe band.

Ligertwood’s father, who was a musician who played the drums, and had a piano in the center of the family home, according to the newspaper. 

The family had relocated on a number of different occasions to neighborhoods in Scotland including Drumchapel, Govan, Kelvinhaugh and Partick.

Ligertwood gained experience in bands such as the Meridians, Kwintones and the Senate,’ the paper reported. His time singing with the latter band provided him a key opportunity in his career that paved the way for him to take the stage with Santana. 

Ligertwood’s vocal skills earned him a residency in Rome that led to him collaborating with artists such as Santana, Jeff Beck, and Brian Auger of The Oblivion Express, who called him ‘my dear friend and fellow traveller’ in a Facebook memorial he posted.

‘To me, Alex aka “Wee Eck” was simply the best singer to ever do it,’ Auger said. ‘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.

Ligertwood and the late Jorge Santana performed at Shoreline Amphitheatre on October 9, 1993 in Mountain View, California 

‘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.’

Another colleague, music manager Gregor Boraman, posted a memorial describing the late singer as ‘the man with the vocal range of a Moog synth, teller of incredibly risqué jokes [and] very proud Glaswegian.’

Noting his significant accomplishments in the music business, Boraman said he would ‘never forgot the amazing music and laughs from my time on the road with’ the late vocalist.

Ligertwood’s ‘favorite thing in life was to make music, sing and to share his gift with us,’ his widow said. 

Brogan said Ligertwood ‘performed his last show just two weeks ago. I’m grateful for that,’ adding, ‘He did it his way, on his terms, till the end. I will always love you, my sweet Alex.’

She ended the somber statement in saying, ‘Rest in peace. Soar and sing with the angels, my love. Please keep me & his family, Lynn & Stewart Locke, Alex, Jenny, Kali, Merci & Marilo in your prayers.’