Michael Carabello, born on November 18, 1947, in San Francisco, California, is an esteemed percussionist and songwriter of Puerto Rican descent. Growing up in the city's Mission District, Carabello was influenced by the rich musical culture around him, particularly Afro-Cuban rhythms. He was a founding member of the Latin rock band Santana, joining in 1968 and contributing to their distinctive sound by blending rock with Latin percussion. Carabello played congas and other percussion instruments on Santana's first three albums: "Santana," "Abraxas," and "Santana III," all of which achieved international success. Notably, he co-wrote several tracks, including "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts" on the "Abraxas" album. After departing from Santana in 1971, Carabello formed the jazz band Cobra in 1975 and later appeared on The Rolling Stones' 1981 album "Tattoo You." In 1998, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Santana, recognizing his significant contributions to music.