Carlos Santana to announce shock retirement from music?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Mexico City
  • Last updated on

Santana created a stir on Monday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Santana fans. Speculation had been rife that the Mexican guitarist best known for hit songs like Maria Maria, Smooth or Oye Como Va, is about to announce his retirement from music, at age 78, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 13/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a guitarist isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a guitarist just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouCarlos

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouCarlos was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Carlos Santana was unlike any other guitarist we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouCarlos”
— @universalObserver, 12 Jan 2026
“I thought Carlos Santana retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 12 Jan 2026

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