San Francisco, USA - A new standard is being set in rock music by the guitarist Carlos Santana, a lawsuit alleged yesterday.
While Sir Paul McCartney, a fellow 1960s music icon, insists that all his entourage are vegetarians, Santana is said to have gone further, firing an employee because he was not "closer to God".
Bruce Kuhlman, 59, claims that he was wrongfully dismissed as head of Santana's licensing operation, after Dr Dan, "spiritual guru" to the guitarist, decided he was too old to become "enlightened".
Santana, also 59, one of America's richest musicians, rose to stardom at the 1969 Woodstock festival, later becoming immersed in Eastern religions.
In his legal claim, Kuhlman said he was fired last year after working for Santana since 1988. He is claiming £550,000 compensation under a Californian law making it illegal to sack someone on the grounds of "religious creed".
A lawyer acting for the rock star said that he would have no comment on the case.