A Tribute to Carlos Santana featuring Lightning Larry Dupio is on August 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the Hilo Palace Theatre. He will be backed by a group of the Big Island’s finest musicians: Yumbel Marassi, Noa Eads, Josh Timmons, Trevor Veilleux, Leo Brayman, Reggae McGowen and Jason Sherbundy.
There is a back story of Santana and Dupio that instigated this tribute concert.
Larry was in awe of Santana and his music, it seems…forever.
Then suddenly, Larry was the victim in a serious auto accident that left him needing major surgery for a broken neck that affected his ability to ever play guitar again. He lost hope and went into a state of depression. It was the lowest part of his life.
Larry’s wife, Caroline urged him to go to Maui to attend a Santana concert to make him happy and in hopes of giving him inspiration. They pulled together all their resources and were able to get tickets for the concert and flights to and from the big island to Maui. They attended the concert and had a grand time.
The day following, while waiting for their flights at the airport, Larry and Santana saw each other and had breakfast together. Santana shared words of encouragement and urged Larry to have the surgery and keep pursuing his career as a guitarist. Caroline took a picture of that day.
Larry received the inspiration he needed to have the surgery, no matter what the odds are and pull through. Years of recovery and with much effort, he emerges and presents this tribute concert with much gratitude and joy!
Tickets are $30 at hilopalace.com. More info at larrydupio.com