Guitar great Carlos Santana is set to become the latest star to light up Las Vegas after signing a new residency deal at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The rock star and his band will take over the venue until well into 2010 after Paul McCartney officially opens revamped Hard Rock theater the Joint on April 19.

Santana plans to perform three shows a week as part of a new deal with entertainment giant AEG Live, which produced Celine Dion’s successful A New Day run in Sin City as well as subsequent residencies with Elton John, Cher and Bette Midler.

Tickets for Santana's first run of shows are now on sale.

The guitarist can't wait to get started, stating, "I’m ready, I’m inspired, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)