POP/ROCK - Oct. 17, 1990

Santana Sues Miller Beer: Rock guitarist Carlos Santana says a Miller Lite beer commercial sounds too familiar. Santana is suing Miller Brewing Co. and the New York advertising agency of Baker Spielvogel Bates Inc. for unspecified damages, for allegedly unauthorized use of an imitator to perform his 1970s hit “Black Magic Woman” in his style. A Miller spokeswoman says the company acquired all the appropriate rights to the song, but Santana’s suit contends Miller tried to pass off the “sound-alike” as if it were actually him, thus confusing the public and violating trademark laws. A Miller spokeswoman said the beer company did secure the appropriate rights to use the song in its advertising.