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Heavy Metal is World Music — How a Metal Band was Influenced by a Latin Percussionist
Metal bands hail from all six populated continents, maybe there’s a field scientist/metal band in Antarctica too. It would be fitting. About a year ago, chatting with a much younger work colleague, he informed me, what I thought passed for heavy metal doesn’t anymore, it’s just hard rock. Times have indeed changed.
Now what’s this about heavy metal is also world music? What?! There are metal bands who sing in countless languages, world music qualifier, check. There are metal bands who incorporate indigenous instruments, world music qualifier, also check.
Where did this revelation come from? As many do in contemporary times, working from home is common. A major perk, being able to listen to whatever music suits the mood. A few days ago, Santana was the virtual jukebox selection.
Latin rhythms and rock n roll is the signature of Carlos Santana’s musical creations. He played Woodstock, the original in 1969. 31 years later his Supernatural album scorched the music charts. A San Francisco Bay Area musical treasure, he influences and collaborated with scores of players the world round.
One such player, William “Bobo” Correa born in New York, Puerto Rican heritage was a percussionist extraordinaire. Sadly he passed at a young age…
