Biography
An American singer and keyboard player boasting deep roots in rock, Gregg Rolie co-established and led Santana, Journey, and Abraxas Pool, earning induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame through the first two ensembles. Beyond those projects he leads the Storm and the Gregg Rolie Band while also performing with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.
Born in Seattle, Rolie gained early experience in William Penn & His Pals during his high-school years in Palo Alto, California. Upon completing his studies in 1965 he joined budding guitar icon Carlos Santana to launch the Santana Blues Band, later trimmed to Santana. Serving as the ensemble’s original frontman, he contributed vocals and Hammond B-3 organ to landmark tracks such as “Evil Ways,” “Oye Como Va,” and “Black Magic Woman,” each of which became enduring classic-rock staples, and he appeared with the group at Woodstock in 1969 before parting ways amid creative tensions in 1971.
In 1973 he linked with ex-Santana guitarist Neal Schon to create Journey. Sharing stages with Schon, Aynsley Dunbar, George Tickner, and Ross Valory, Rolie handled lead vocals on the debut albums Journey (1975) and Look Into the Future (1976) and supplied keyboards across the first six releases, helping shape radio favorites that included “Lights,” “Wheel in the Sky,” “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” and “Any Way You Want It.”
He exited the lineup in 1980 and pursued a solo career, issuing the well-received Gregg Rolie (1985) and Gringo (1987); the earlier set contained “I Wanna Go Back,” later a hit for Eddie Money in 1986. In 1990 he assembled the Storm alongside former Journey colleagues Steve Smith and Ross Valory, releasing a self-titled debut in 1991 whose singles “I’ve Got a Lot to Learn About Love” and “Show Me the Way” achieved modest chart traction, followed by Eye of the Storm in 1996. The next year Rolie rejoined ex-Santana members Schon, Mike Shrieve, José “Chepito” Areas, Alphonso Johnson, and Mike Carabello for the Abraxas Pool project and its self-titled album.
The Gregg Rolie Band made its recorded bow with 2001’s Roots, and Rolie continued performing and recording with the group for two decades, delivering the live set Rain Dance in 2007, the Five Days EP in 2011, and the studio album Sonic Ranch in 2019. He has been a touring member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band since 2012 and rejoined surviving members of Santana’s classic 1970s roster for the 2014 release Santana IV.
Born in Seattle, Rolie gained early experience in William Penn & His Pals during his high-school years in Palo Alto, California. Upon completing his studies in 1965 he joined budding guitar icon Carlos Santana to launch the Santana Blues Band, later trimmed to Santana. Serving as the ensemble’s original frontman, he contributed vocals and Hammond B-3 organ to landmark tracks such as “Evil Ways,” “Oye Como Va,” and “Black Magic Woman,” each of which became enduring classic-rock staples, and he appeared with the group at Woodstock in 1969 before parting ways amid creative tensions in 1971.
In 1973 he linked with ex-Santana guitarist Neal Schon to create Journey. Sharing stages with Schon, Aynsley Dunbar, George Tickner, and Ross Valory, Rolie handled lead vocals on the debut albums Journey (1975) and Look Into the Future (1976) and supplied keyboards across the first six releases, helping shape radio favorites that included “Lights,” “Wheel in the Sky,” “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” and “Any Way You Want It.”
He exited the lineup in 1980 and pursued a solo career, issuing the well-received Gregg Rolie (1985) and Gringo (1987); the earlier set contained “I Wanna Go Back,” later a hit for Eddie Money in 1986. In 1990 he assembled the Storm alongside former Journey colleagues Steve Smith and Ross Valory, releasing a self-titled debut in 1991 whose singles “I’ve Got a Lot to Learn About Love” and “Show Me the Way” achieved modest chart traction, followed by Eye of the Storm in 1996. The next year Rolie rejoined ex-Santana members Schon, Mike Shrieve, José “Chepito” Areas, Alphonso Johnson, and Mike Carabello for the Abraxas Pool project and its self-titled album.
The Gregg Rolie Band made its recorded bow with 2001’s Roots, and Rolie continued performing and recording with the group for two decades, delivering the live set Rain Dance in 2007, the Five Days EP in 2011, and the studio album Sonic Ranch in 2019. He has been a touring member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band since 2012 and rejoined surviving members of Santana’s classic 1970s roster for the 2014 release Santana IV.
Albums
Singles
