OAKLAND (KRON) — It’s a story we call, “People That Reunite With Former Friends Behave Nicely.”
While filming a segment for People Behaving Badly about illegal dumping in an Oakland neighborhood, KRON 4′s Stanley Roberts spoke with a homeless man found rummaging for valuables.
The man, who identified himself as Marcus Malone, told Stanley that he was a landscaper and a music composer. He also revealed his connection to a Bay Area music legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Carlos Santana.
“At one time I was with the Santana band, the original Santana blues band,” Marcus said. “Now I’m homeless and on the streets.”
Initially, Marcus’ claim seemed unbelievable. Carlos is famously known for his generosity and compassion for people in need. Carlos supports several organizations such as The Milagro Foundation, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, United Farm Workers, Save The Children, and Build The Dream.
It didn’t seem likely that he would let a friend — and one of the original members of Santana — fall on hard times.
But KRON 4 made some calls and looked up Marcus’ story. What came next was a shock.
The man whose fleeting appearance as a footnote to a news story about illegal dumpsites had indeed helped shape one of the world’s best-known musical signatures.
Holiday Miracle
Marcus and Carlos lost contact many years ago. Marcus separated from his band after he was sent to prison. As a result, his music career faded into obscurity, meanwhile, Carlos’ sound started to skyrocket.
Since his release from San Quentin, Marcus has been struggling to survive. He lives on the streets and scrambles to find work.
Carlos had been searching for his long-lost bandmate for several years but never came close.
It was, as Carlos calls it, a fate ordained, that Stanley and Marcus crossed paths.
Carlos watched the PBB segment then journeyed from his home in the North Bay to Pearmain Street in Oakland numerous times to find his friend but was unsuccessful.
Stanley was eventually called on to help Carlos find his friend — and, within minutes, Marcus and Carlos were reunited.
It’s a holiday story you can’t miss.
And it’s only KRON 4.
