Carlo Paul Santana

Some Details...

Born in this country of Italian mother and Polish father Carlo's parents came to the United Kingdom after the second world war. In his early years Carlo spent most of his childhood in Polish camps and could only speak Italian and Polish. His parents were very strict Roman Catholics and as a young boy was obsessed with his religion and wanted to be a Roman Catholic priest. His mother was constantly home sick and returned to Italy taking both Carlo and his sister back to her native land.
After two years they returned back to this country. His father was a coal miner for 35 years and worked in pits in Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

He was finally brought up in a small coal mining village called Shirebrook. He attended Brookfield Junior School and Shirebrook Carter Lane Secondary Boys School and then went on to Chesterfield College of Art where he studied to become an Art Teacher and also took a course on Graphic design.

After leaving college he had jobs in window dressing, interior design and printing and did a short vocational teaching job in Mansfield (evening classes) teaching students design and store advertising but unfortunately Carlo's love of music took the better and in 1972 Carlo turned professional, much to the disappointment of his mother and father. He played guitar in various groups, locally 'The Cheaters, 'The Dickins Faces', The Four R's and 'The Threepenny Piece' and in 1973 was 'spotted' by Keith Potger of the New Seekers fame, who was reforming 'The Springfields' later to be called 'Springfield Revival' and was offered the role of lead singer. Carlo reluctantly declined the offer and in 1974 was asked to join the hit recording artists 'Paper Lace' (as guitarist and lead singer). At first he declined the offer but finally was persuaded to join. Hits from the group include 'Billy Don't Be A Hero' and 'The night chicago died', 'The black eyed boys' and 'Hitchin' a Ride '74'. All four songs were worldwide hits. Carlo has appeared on various pop programmes including BBC 'Top of the pops'. He has met many top stars and one of his most memorable moments was appearing with Mama Cass at the London Palladium and The Royal Variety Command Performance.

Carlo left Paper Lace in 1976 to go solo. Voted number 1 male vocalist (1977 - 1978) "National Club Awards by the "Club Mirror". He has won all major trophies on Clubland and T.V appearances include 'Wheeltappers and Shunters Club', 'Seaside Special', 'Stars on Sunday', 'Rising Stars', 'Showcase from Wales' and recently Yorkshires T.V 'Calendar'.

He has starred in various radio broadcasts and was previously signed to the "Philips and Mercury" record label, (Phonogram). Carlo has had much success in Australia and Malta, where he has had his own T.V show.

In 1983 he teamed up with Bill Haslem a Nottingham songwriter and so far they have 'penned' about 850 songs some recorded by other Artists and also "Jingles". A prolific member of the "Performing Rights Society", B.A.S.C.A. M.C.P.S and Equity.

Also a keen fund raiser for charity and various organisations.

Trained in Opera for 18 months by singing coach, Laura Delaroc ex Royal College.