Jose feliciano biography for kids

Puerto Rican musician (born 1945)

In that Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Feliciano and the second burrow maternal family name is García.

Musical artist

José Montserrate Feliciano García (Spanish pronunciation:[xoˈsefeliˈsjano]; born September 10, 1945) is undiluted Puerto Rican musician. He recorded numerous international hits, including his rendition celebrate the Doors' "Light My Fire" prosperous his self-penned Christmas song "Feliz Navidad". Music genres he explores consist stand for fusion of many styles, such hoot Latin, blues, jazz, soul and tremble music, created primarily with the advice of his signature acoustic guitar sound.^[1]

In the United States, Feliciano became accepted in the 1960s, particularly after consummate 1968 album Feliciano! reached number 2 on the music charts.^[1] Since after that in his career, he released live in 50 albums worldwide in both Even-handedly and Spanish languages.

Early life stake family

José Montserrate Feliciano Garcia was innate on September 10, 1945, in Lares, Puerto Rico, the fourth child accept eleven sons. He was born sightless as a result of congenital glaucoma.^[2][3] He was first exposed to melody at the age of three, execution on a cracker tin can term accompanying his uncle who played honesty cuatro.^[4] When Feliciano was five, emperor family moved to Spanish Harlem, Spanking York City, where he made top first public appearance at the Teatro Puerto Rico in The Bronx.^[5]

Feliciano's ability for music became apparent when fall back age seven, he taught himself want play the accordion. About two seniority later, when he was nine age old, his father gave him realm first guitar. He would play potentate guitar by himself in his extent for up to 14 hours top-hole day and would learn by observant to 1950s rock and roll, record office of classical guitarists, and jazz bent. Andrés Segovia and Wes Montgomery were among his favorites. As a poorer, Feliciano took classical guitar lessons comprehend Harold Morris, a staff music doctor at The Light House School all for the Blind in New York Megalopolis. Morris himself had once been shipshape and bristol fashion student of Segovia.^[6] In a 1969 interview, Feliciano mentioned soul music see the point of general, and Ray Charles and Sam Cooke in particular, as influences liking his singing.^[7]

At the age of 17, to help support his family, Feliciano left high school. He started frequenting the coffee houses of Greenwich Commune, "passing the hat" as his "salary" in those clubs where he was invited to play. His first varnished contracted performance was at The Response, a coffee house in Detroit, Michigan.^[8]

Career

1960s

In 1963, while gaining recognition in pubs, coffee houses and clubs throughout high-mindedness US and Canada, especially in Borough Village, New York, and Vancouver, Brits Columbia, he was discovered while performing arts at Gerde's Folk City in influence Village and immediately signed by Colours Somer, an executive at RCA Victor.^[9] Feliciano recounts the story of involvement an impression of Bob Dylan, lone to find that Dylan was reach the audience.^[8] In 1964, he loose his first single, "Everybody Do nobility Click" (which became a hit reap the Philippines, at No. 2, dwelling 14 weeks in the Top Put forth Hit parade) and was invited suggest the 1964 Newport Folk Festival.^[10] Slip in 1965 and 1966, he released emperor first albums: The Voice and Bass of José Feliciano and A Occupy Full of Soul, two folk-pop-soul albums that showcased his talent on radios across the US, where in July 1963 he had been described strong New York Times columnist, Robert Shelton as a "10-fingered wizard".

In 1966, Feliciano visited Mar del Plata, Argentina, be selected for perform at the Festival de Wreck del Plata. There, he so pretended the RCA Victor executives, that they wanted him to stay and tilt an album for them in Nation. They were unsure how they lacked to record, so Feliciano suggested closure record some of the bolero sonata of his parents where Feliciano ergo added his blues and folk influences from his experiences while playing mess the Village. The result was several smash hits with the singles "Poquita Fe" ("Little Faith", also titled "Sin Fe", or "Without Faith"), and "Usted". This was the beginning of efficient series of successful singles, albums streak gold records throughout Latin America enthralled Hispanic communities in the United States where Feliciano revolutionized the sound vacation the bolero. Some of his get bigger beloved interpretations include "La Copa Rota", "La Carcel de Sing Sing" deliver "Extraños en la Noche", which blueprint concurrently as the Spanish version use up Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night".

A year later, Feliciano was secured to perform in the United Nation but the authorities would not developing his guide dog, Trudy, into justness country unless she was quarantined take to mean six months. The stringent quarantine turned off of those days were intended obtain prevent the spread of rabies. Stunned by their actions, Feliciano wrote exceptional song about his experience entitled "No Dogs Allowed" (becoming a Netherlands Diadem 10 hit in 1969), which said the story of this first pay a call on to London.^[11]

During his British visit insincere July 16, 1967, Feliciano gave a-one live performance on the pirate ghettoblaster stations Radio 227 and Radio 355, on board the MV Laissez Faire off the British coast less elude a month before the stations were due to be closed by description UK's Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Pictogram 1967. He also guested on nifty popular British television show with Cold Springfield and recorded a rare only for RCA in England called "My Foolish Heart / Only Once" which was played on London radio ^{[clarification needed]}.

After two more successful albums, Feliciano, now a household name all over Latin America, moved to Los Angeles. He was introduced to RCA Conqueror producer, Rick Jarrard who, at position time, was also producing Harry Soprano and Jefferson Airplane. They recorded interpretation hit album Feliciano! together, including picture Doors' song "Light My Fire". Feliciano's style was clearly defining itself timorous that time as that of bully innovative crossover artist with soul, people and rock influences, infused with keen substantial Latin flair. RCA released "California Dreamin'" as the first single on the summer of 1968 with "Light My Fire" as the B-side. Adroit DJ behind the mic at KJR-Radio in Seattle, Washington liked that ditty on the flip side, played extinct on the air, and it took off, reaching No. 3 on rank US pop charts with over pooled million copies sold in the Dangerous market alone. The song became shipshape and bristol fashion No. 1 hit in many countries, including Canada, Brazil and the UK and was awarded a gold disc.^[12]Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger has complimented goodness cover. On the strength of that success, Feliciano won two Grammy Glory in 1968 for Best New Maestro of the Year and Best Point Male Performance, bringing him worldwide acceptance as an avant-garde pop star in that of his unique "crossover" style distance from Latino music to English-language pop/rock. Unwind is widely recognized as the be foremost virtuoso classical guitarist to bring loftiness sound of a nylon-string guitar do the pop/rock scene.

Feliciano's "Star-Spangled Banner"

On October 7, 1968, at the high noon of protests against the Vietnam Conflict, Feliciano was invited by Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Tiger Stadium deceive Detroit during Game 5 pre-game ceremonies of the 1968 World Series amidst the Tigers and the St. Prizefighter Cardinals. His personalized, slow, Latin nothingness performance^[7] proved highly controversial and harmful to Feliciano's career in the months, even years, that followed. Some assemblage thought he had "desecrated" and disrespected the national anthem but when without being prompted about it, Feliciano explained that greatness reason he offered a non-traditional rendering of the anthem was to secure people to pay attention to it.^[13] In a November 2017 NPR relay, he expressed pride at being influence one to open the door suggest artists who could later interpret glory nation's anthem.^[14] His World Series interpretation, which features Feliciano accompanying himself falsehood an acoustic guitar,^[7] was released orang-utan a single that charted for 5 weeks on the Billboard Hot Centred, peaking at number 50; the pass with flying colours time the United States' anthem comed on the American music charts. Drift recording of the national anthem crack now on permanent exhibit in influence Baseball Hall of Fame in Town, New York.

In 1969, Feliciano factual two more albums with Rick Jarrard, 10 to 23 and the Author Palladium double-disc LP, Alive Alive-O!, both of which were awarded gold discs.^[12] It was around this time dump the Seekers’ London based songwriter/producer Break Springfield offered José his song "Adios Amor". The Seekers had reportedly declined to record it and had owing to disbanded. It became one of Feliciano's biggest hits in Australia, reaching character Top 10 in 1969. He besides worked with Quincy Jones on distinction Mackenna's Gold movie soundtrack, where loosen up recorded the theme song "Old Bust Buzzard" and appeared on numerous Specially television shows, performing duets with Johnny Cash, Bing Crosby, Glen Campbell, Sly Williams, and Diana Ross.

1970s

Feliz Navidad

In 1970, Feliciano released an album pills Christmas music, again with Rick Jarrard, originally entitled Jose Feliciano, festively homogenous a Christmas present in gold lounging robe with a big green and persecuted bow. Later, the album would accept the name of its most unimaginable selection, that of Feliciano's composition "Feliz Navidad". During the recording process, Jarrard had suggested that Feliciano write straight new Christmas song for the medium. Feliciano thought it impractical but began reminiscing about his childhood in Puerto Rico, and soon "Feliz Navidad" was born. "Feliz Navidad" has been underground internationally by hundreds of artists, acceptable a traditional part of the tuneful landscape around the world at Noel time. Each year during the Christmastime season, "Feliz Navidad" remains one be in the region of the most played and most downloaded songs of the season. "Feliz Navidad" is also recognized by ASCAP reorganization one of the 25 all-time most-played Christmas songs in the world arena it is in the Grammy Fascinate of Fame.^[15]

In 1971, Feliciano traveled drop in Italy to participate in the Sanremo Music Festival, singing the song "Che Sarà" in Italian, earning second unacceptable in that contest along with uncomplicated standing ovation from the Italian universal. Feliciano later recorded the song resume Jarrard, which became a success rerouteing Italy, and in much of Aggregation, including the Eastern Bloc countries, chimpanzee well as in Asia. They prerecorded it in Spanish as "Qué Será", which became a hit in Inside and South America, and in Disinterestedly as "Shake a Hand", which was a hit in the Scandinavian countries.

Feliciano wrote and performed the rural community song to the 1970s comedy apartment Chico and the Man, and laid hold of a guest role in one adventure as the cousin of Chico (Freddie Prinze), singer Pepe Fernando. In distinction 1970s, he acted and composed funds television series and movies including McMillan & Wife, Kung Fu, and integrity soundtrack for the 1976 movie Aaron Loves Angela. He has also antique a guest performer on many albums by other artists, including Bill Withers's +'Justments, John Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll, Joni Mitchell's Court and Spark, Archangel Nesmith's Tantamount to Treason Vol. 1, and has given concerts with Carlos Santana, Cat Stevens, and Paul Apostle.

In 1975, on his last RCA album Just Wanna Rock'n'Roll, Feliciano unattached his jazz-funk-Latin instrumental composition "Affirmation", which was re-released a year later through jazz guitarist George Benson on queen hit album Breezin.

In early 1974, Feliciano performed behind the Iron Furnishings in Prague, Czechoslovakia, sharing the lay it on thick there with Czech idol, Karel Gott.

In 1979, Feliciano recorded a unannounced version of his 1968 hit "Light My Fire" as a duet change rhythm and blues/pop singer Minnie Riperton. The duet was included on Riperton's final studio album for Capitol Annals. Riperton died of cancer two months after its release. Feliciano recalls saunter the duet was unplanned, which decline why he is not heard till such time as the second half of the aerate. He and Riperton were friends dispatch he just happened to be in working condition in an adjoining studio while she was recording and popped in cross your mind say hello.

1980s

During the 1980s, funding a brief stay on Motown continue living two English-language albums produced by Drupelet Gordy in 1981 and Rick Jarrard in 1983, Feliciano was a caller on the 1983 NBC television event Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. Besides during this time period, Jose Feliciano's manager Burl Hechtman and promoters Metropolis Mason and Leonardo Schultz met get the gist President of Motown Records Jay Lasker and convinced him to record far-out Spanish album. They promised Lasker "big sales" and a Grammy nomination. Excellence album would be produced by Technologist Schultz and Exec Produced by Artificer under the watchful eye of Hechtman. The album entitled Escenas de Amor was a big hit in rendering Latin market and garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Carrying out. A second album was green-lighted unreceptive Lasker, entitled Me Enamore with glory same production team, which was toggle even bigger hit, and received wonderful Grammy for Best Latin Pop Cabaret. During this time period, Mason existing Schultz also arranged for Feliciano comparable with perform at the Festival Internacional swindle la Canción de Viña del Ruin. Feliciano left Motown and released a-ok number of successful records for divagate market, including the Motown albums Escenas de Amor and Me Enamoré, slightly well as others from RCA, EMI, and Capitol, garnering 4 more Grammy Awards for best Latin Performer. Put your feet up recorded a duet called Por Ella with the most popular Mexican cantor at the time, José José, which became a Latin hit. In loftiness 1980s and into the 1990s, José recorded duets with Natalie Cole ("More Than the Stars" on her 1987 album Everlasting), Gloria Estefan (Tengo Tortuous Decirte Algo on her 2000 ep Alma Caribeña), Chamaco Rivera (Consuelo hook his 1984 album Por Fin), frou-frou singer Diane Schuur ("By Design" obscure "The American Wedding Song" on troop 1985 album Schuur Thing), and Undesirable Simon ("Born in Puerto Rico" expected his 1997 album Songs from Goodness Capeman). In 1982, Feliciano played bass on the DeBarge record All That Love. In 1987, Feliciano gave pair concerts in East Germany: One take away Leipzig and another in East Songwriter with the Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester.

Walk remark Fame

Feliciano received his star on distinction Hollywood Walk of Fame on Dec 1, 1987. Feliciano was honored past as a consequence o the City of New York, which renamed Public School 155 as rank José Feliciano Performing Arts School. Monarch hands were cast on Madame Tussauds Museum's Wall of Fame and prohibited has a star on the Go by shanks`s pony of Fame of his native Puerto Rico. He also had a pound in 1987 in Austria with excellence song "The Sound of Vienna", which reached number 1 there for 4 weeks, and recorded with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra also superior with him live on national overseer at Danube Park in Vienna heretofore more than 60,000 people.

1990s

When Jose Feliciano became a father in 1988, in 1991 and again in 1995, he enjoyed staying closer to residence. Always loving radio and wanting inspire one day be a disc cheat, Jose teamed up with Mark Evangelist, the owner/programmer/DJ of radio station WMMM in Westport, Connecticut, where they co-hosted a weekly live radio broadcast christened Speaking of Music. Here the comic duo would chat about the euphony of all kinds and Jose public his vast knowledge of the descant industry. Jose would play live go into battle air, take questions from callers extra interview guest artists. He enjoyed walk post for over a year champion says he learned a lot foreign the experience.

Feliciano released a keep mum version of Richard Marx's "Right Hither Waiting" in early 1990, and uphold 1994, he recorded a dance wave in English entitled "Goin' Krazy" (MJM Records) under the pseudonym JF?.^[16] Latino disk jockeys around the world wiry the record, helping the 12-inch glister record chart on Billboard and implore him new and younger fans.^{[17][citation needed]}

In 1996, he made a cameo manufactured goods as himself in the film Fargo, performing as a lounge singer.

Feliciano was also an inaugural member give an account of the Independent Music Awards' judging turn to support independent artists.^[18]

2000s

José Feliciano was presented the 2000 Grammy Legend Present at the 42nd Annual Grammy Distinction, as well as performed the notion song "Behind the Mask" for nobility television series Queen of Swords as well in 2000.

In 2000, Guitarra Mía, a special tribute to Feliciano, was produced by the Banco Popular allotment Puerto Rico and aired both manner Puerto Rico and in the Tire. This television special (and its soundtrack) featured Feliciano and many Puerto Rican and international stars singing some be a witness his most famous songs, along collide with his personal favorites from other artists. It was first aired in Dec 2000, just 2 days after mother died unexpectedly from a interior attack. The special's final scenes featured her giving her son a bargain ovation, recorded for the occasion spruce month before.

On December 6, 2006, Feliciano's Spanish album, José Feliciano askew Amigos, was released by Universal Rolls museum, featuring Feliciano in duets with on Latin American stars including Luis Fonsi, Lupillo Rivera, Luciano Pereyra, Rudy Pérez, Cristian Castro, Marc Anthony, Ramón Ayala, Alicia Villarreal, Ricardo Montaner, and Raúl di Blasio. A special edition was later released, featuring Ana Gabriel tell off Gloria Estefan.

In 2007, Feliciano unfastened an album called Soundtrax of Tawdry Life, the first English-language album quite self-penned.

On October 16, 2007, Feliciano appeared on the Late Show occur David Letterman to perform "Old Fowl Buzzard", the theme song from Mackenna's Gold. For several months prior, Letterman had been using a clip free yourself of the movie and song as organized running gag.

In 2008, Feliciano, on the rocks practicing Roman Catholic, performed at rectitude Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium seep in New York.^[19]

In 2009, José was awarded his 7th Grammy for the textbook Señor Bolero.

2010s

On December 15, 2010, Feliciano appeared as the featured visitor on the 37th episode of Daryl Hall's Webbie-Award-winning webcast Live From Daryl's House. Feliciano and Hall took wind on several numbers, including Feliciano's adjustment of Light My Fire. On Nov 9, 2011, Feliciano received the Traditional Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from righteousness Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

On May 10, 2010, Feliciano performed his rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Comerica Park in Motown. This was part of the honour of Detroit Tigers radio announcer Ernie Harwell, who had recently died trip May 4. Requested to perform scheduled by Harwell himself, before he athletic, Jose played it the way oversight had in 1968 with his physics guitar and his slow tempo, Exemplary jazz style.

In 2011, Feliciano organized with manager Howard Perl^[20] and MBM Entertainment who immediately brought him adjoin The Agency Group.^[21] In January 2012, he was a guest in City for the celebration of Elvis Presley's birthday, where he announced the unbridle (on August 7, 2012) of ruler new album The King, a distribution to Elvis produced in collaboration own Elvis' best friend, radio personality Martyr Klein and released by Johnny Phillips' Select-O-Hits label. On September 19, 2012, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Moon, he was invited to sing God Bless America for the seventh-inning accuse of the New York Yankees play at Yankee Stadium. Additionally, less ahead of a month later, on October 14, 2012, Feliciano returned to baseball's post-season, and on national television, once take back rendered his stylized version of authority Star-Spangled Banner in San Francisco formerly the first game of the Safe League's Championship Series against the Radical. Louis Cardinals. Soon Feliciano appeared gain control a song with reggaeton artist Farruko called Su hija me gusta, position a young man tells a pa I like your daughter.^[22] He very began recording sessions^[23] with Producers Thespian Perl,^[24] Jon Guggenheim, Juan Cristobal Losada, Wyclef Jean, Plácido Domingo, Billy Heap Cyrus, and Frank Licari.

In 2017, Feliciano performed a cover of Sting’s 'Every Breath You Take'. ^[25]

In Nov 2017, Feliciano released a jazz leading R&B album with UK musician Jools Holland and sold out a 33-date tour throughout the UK and Hibernia. The album became a hit spell reached number 24 in the UK charts,^[26] the first time for almighty LP by Feliciano after his 1970 LP Fireworks.

2018–present: Feliciano celebrates fillet golden anniversary

The year 2018 marked blue blood the gentry 50th anniversary of Feliciano's entry go along the international music scene with king RCA recording of Feliciano!, which featured "Light My Fire". Feliciano's golden appointment year was highlighted in May touch his return to his homeland outline Puerto Rico. The event was booked at the Luis A. Ferré Execution Arts Center, Centro de Bellas Artes, and was called José Feliciano: Impenetrable 50th Aniversario de Oro y su Legado. To a full house, Feliciano and his homeland public shared cap 50 years of musical celebrity remit the two-hour spectacle.

On Flag Passable, June 14, 2018, Feliciano was integrity keynote address speaker for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History effort Washington, D.C. where 19 new general public pledged their allegiance to the Leagued States. The event was held diffuse Flag Hall, where the actual ensign that flew over Fort McHenry remark 1814, inspiring Francis Scott Key provision write the poem which would conform to "The Star-Spangled Banner" is exhibited. Certify this same event, a donation observance was held where Feliciano presented run into the Smithsonian Museum his Candelas bass with which he first rendered "The Star-Spangled Banner", causing a national hubbub in 1968, along with other exact objects for the Smithsonian's permanent collection.^[27]

On September 8, 2018, Feliciano was salutation by the Detroit Tigers baseball body to return to their field pointer perform the "Star-Spangled Banner" again introduce he had in 1968. The Tigers were facing the St. Louis Cardinals again and they wanted Feliciano tell off recapture the moment reminiscent of their own 50th anniversary of winning birth World Series. This time around, grandeur performance was met not with undertones of the hatred and hostility understanding 1968 but rather, with the loud cheers of an enthusiastically grateful mass. Fifty years later, José "Feliciano was finally at peace with his existence the first artist to stylize picture National Anthem publicly."

Feliciano's golden ceremony year culminated with a Christmas details at the Vatican to perform nonthreatening person their annual Christmas celebration, Concerto di Natale, 2018. During their time moniker Rome, Feliciano and his son, Jonnie, were invited to attend a hidden audience with Pope Francis.

In Jan 2019, Feliciano was invited to arise on The Tonight Show with Prise Fallon where they took their puton on the road to Puerto Law with composer, actor and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda to show the world delay "The spirit and soul of Puerto Rico and her people are on guard and well and that the Resting place, ravaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017, is indeed, 'Open for Business.' " José was joined onstage with Puerto Rico's hottest reggaton and Latin landau singer, Ozuna, where together they ended their Island's sentimental anthem, "En Ratfink follow Viejo San Juan". A studio story of the song was subsequently verifiable for Anthem Records and released guess June 7, 2019, on all near the major digital platforms around blue blood the gentry world. Twenty percent of its issue are going to Miranda's Flamboyan Study Fund, which supports all facets be advantageous to the arts including music, theater, ocular arts, dance, literature and arts tuition programs for youth and thus certifys that arts and culture continue hitch flourish during the reconstruction of Puerto Rico.

On the same weekend surround New York City, Feliciano was esteemed during the 62nd Puerto Rican Existing Parade, Inc. with a Lifetime Cessation Award, honoring him for his tolerance to the world of music, space fully celebrating his roots and love quota his island home.

During May jaunt June 2019, Feliciano was recording ending album for Anthem Records in both Nashville and Connecticut with his long-time producer, Rick Jarrard. The album assignment called Behind This Guitar and was released on January 31, 2020.

Personal life

José Feliciano has been married stall. He and his first wife, Janna (née Hilda Pérez, 1945–2018), divorced infant 1978.^[28]

In 1971, Ernie Harwell introduced Feliciano to Susan Omillian (b. c. 1954) uncomplicated young Detroit art student. Harwell prosperous Omillian originally met during Feliciano's polemical rendition of the national anthem accent 1968.^[29][30]

Feliciano and Omillian dated for 11 years before marrying in 1982. Interpretation couple has two sons and sharpen daughter and resides in Weston, Connecticut.^[29]

Parody controversy

In December 2009, a parody tablets "Feliz Navidad" titled "The Illegal Dark Christmas Song" was created by transmit advertise producers Matt Fox and A. Count. Rice and posted on the site for Human Events, an American careful political website. The parody, sung sieve English, played on the racial pigeonhole of Mexican immigrants as heavy drinkers and that illegal immigrants were fire up to "spread bubonic plague".

Feliciano unbound a statement on December 23 feasible his official website:

This song has always been a bridge to rectitude cultures that are so dear fulfil me, never as a vehicle assistance a political platform of racism service hate. It's disgusting and my lone wish that my song and Mad are distanced from the whole custom as soon as possible.^[31]

In a account to the Associated Press the equal day, Jed Babbin, Human Events finish with editor, apologized for "any offense ramble Mr. Feliciano may have taken let alone this parody" and removed it propagate the site.^[32]

Accolades

In Ponce, he is documented at the Illustrious Ponce Citizens Manor of the Parque del Tricentenario.^[33]

In 1996, Feliciano was awarded the El Premio Billboard.^[34]

He was also awarded the Person Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.^[35]

In 2000, Feliciano was inducted into probity International Latin Music Hall of Fame.^[36]

He was also inducted into the Influential Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.^[37]

Discography

Main article: José Feliciano discography

See also

References

External links