The death of Alex Ligertwood, whose powerful voice defined Santana’s sound through much of the 1980s and early 1990s, was announced Saturday by his wife and agent, Shawn Brogan. The Scottish-born vocalist was 79 and died peacefully at his Santa Monica home on April 30, 2026.
Brogan revealed the news in a Facebook post Saturday evening, writing that Ligertwood “passed peacefully in his sleep with his doggy Bobo by his side yesterday.” She requested prayers for herself and the couple’s children — daughters Merci and Kali, and son Brandon. The Brogan Agency confirmed his death the next day, noting the vocalist had been onstage just three weeks before his passing. No cause of death was provided.
“It’s with great sadness and heartache to announce the passing of my sweet dear Alex Ligertwood, my husband of 25 years, we knew each other for 36 years,” Brogan wrote.
The Santana Years
Ligertwood’s legacy rests primarily on his work with Santana, where he served as lead vocalist across five separate periods from 1979 to 1994, making him the longest-tenured frontman of Carlos Santana’s band following the Woodstock era. His contributions included vocals on hits like “You Know That I Love You,” “Winning,” “All I Ever Wanted,” and “Hold On,” along with songwriting credits on tracks such as “Somewhere in Heaven” and “Make Somebody Happy.”
The Glasgow-born musician’s voice can be heard on several Santana records, including “Marathon” from 1979, “Zebop!” from 1981, “Shango” from 1982, and the 1993 release “Sacred Fire: Live in South America,” where he performed alongside Jorge Santana, Carlos Santana’s brother, delivering what many consider definitive live performances.
On July 13, 1985, Ligertwood fronted Santana at Live Aid, performing before an estimated 1.9 billion viewers worldwide in what became his most widely seen moment.
A Voice Forged In Glasgow
Before achieving recognition with Santana, Ligertwood established himself as a versatile vocalist with a technically commanding, soulful style suited to both jazz-rock fusion and stadium anthems. During the early 1970s, he performed with the Jeff Beck Group alongside the guitar virtuoso, then joined keyboardist Brian Auger — who had previously worked with Rod Stewart and Jimi Hendrix — in Oblivion Express.
His résumé also included work with French group Troc in the early 1970s, American rock outfit the Dregs during the 1980s, and Go Ahead, a Grateful Dead spinoff, in the mid-to-late 1980s.
Working Until The End
The vocalist remained active until his final weeks, performing with Icons of Classic Rock, a touring project with guitarist Brandon Paul that drew on his extensive body of work. According to his daughter Merci, Ligertwood performed concerts right up until his death, exactly as he wished.
“My dad loved many things,” Merci said. “At the forefront were his family & friends, music, and Scotland. He continued doing shows up until the very end, just the way he wanted.”
Paul paid tribute to his touring partner, calling him “a world-class professional” whose vocals were “a force of nature — soulful, from the heart, and legendary every single night.” He added that having “a vocalist who worked with icons like Carlos Santana and Jeff Beck compliment my guitar playing is something I will carry with me forever.”
Tributes Pour In
Brogan’s Facebook announcement, which included photographs of the musician, prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow musicians who remembered Ligertwood as gracious, dedicated, and deeply connected to his artistry.
Representatives for Santana had not issued a public statement as of Monday, May 4. Ligertwood leaves behind his wife, three children, and an extensive recorded catalog — from Marathon to Sacred Fire — that showcased a vocalist who inhabited every performance rather than merely executing it.
