José Feliciano

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José Feliciano
Feliciano in 1998
Feliciano in 1998
Background information
Birth nameJosé Montserrate Feliciano García
Born (1945-09-10) September 10, 1945 (age 78)
Lares, Puerto Rico
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • composer
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • cuatro
  • vocals
Years active1962–present
Labels
Websitejosefeliciano.com

José Montserrate Feliciano García (Spanish pronunciation:

Christmas song "Feliz Navidad". Music genres he explores consist of fusion of many styles, such as Latin, blues, jazz, soul and rock music, created primarily with the help of his signature acoustic guitar sound.[1]

In the United States, Feliciano became popular in the 1960s, particularly after his 1968 album Feliciano! reached number 2 on the music charts.[1] Since then in his career, he released over 50 albums worldwide in both English and Spanish language.

Early life and family

José Montserrate Feliciano Garcia was born on September 10, 1945, in

cuatro.[4] When Feliciano was five, his family moved to Spanish Harlem, New York City, where he made his first public appearance at the Teatro Puerto Rico in The Bronx.[5]

Feliciano's knack for music became apparent when at age seven, he taught himself to play the accordion. About two years later, when he was nine years old, his father gave him his first guitar. He would play his guitar by himself in his room for up to 14 hours a day and would learn by listening to 1950s rock and roll, records of classical guitarists, and jazz players. Andrés Segovia and Wes Montgomery were among his favorites. As a teenager, Feliciano took classical guitar lessons with Harold Morris, a staff music teacher at The Light House School for the Blind in New York City. Morris himself had once been a student of Segovia.[6] In a 1969 interview, Feliciano mentioned soul music in general, and Ray Charles and Sam Cooke in particular, as influences on 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 Village, "passing the hat" as his "salary" in those clubs where he was invited to play. His first professional contracted performance was at The Retort, a coffee house in Detroit, Michigan.[8]

Career

1960s

In 1963, while gaining recognition in pubs, coffee houses and clubs throughout the U.S. and Canada, especially in

New York Times
columnist, Robert Shelton as a "10-fingered wizard".

In 1966, Feliciano visited

RCA Victor executives, that they wanted him to stay and record an album for them in Spanish. They were unsure how they wanted to record, so Feliciano suggested he record some of the bolero music of his parents where Feliciano then added his blues and folk influences from his experiences while playing in the Village. The result was two smash hits with the singles "Poquita Fe" ("Little Faith", also titled "Sin Fe", or "Without Faith"), and "Usted". This was the beginning of a series of successful singles, albums and gold records throughout Latin America and Hispanic communities in the United States where Feliciano revolutionized the sound of the bolero. Some of his most beloved interpretations include "La Copa Rota", "La Carcel de Sing Sing" and "Extraños en la Noche", which charted concurrently as the Spanish version of Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night
".

A year later, Feliciano was scheduled to perform in the United Kingdom but the authorities would not allow his guide dog, Trudy, into the country unless she was quarantined for six months. The stringent quarantine measures of those days were intended to prevent the spread of rabies. Devastated by their actions, Feliciano wrote a song about his experience entitled "No Dogs Allowed" (becoming a Netherlands Top 10 hit in 1969), which told the story of this first visit to London.[11]

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

Billboard advertisement, July 13, 1968

After two more successful albums, Feliciano, now a household name throughout

Robbie Krieger
has complimented the cover. On the strength of this success, Feliciano won two
Grammy Awards
in 1968 for Best New Artist of the Year and Best Pop Male Performance, bringing him worldwide recognition as an avant-garde pop star due to his unique "crossover" style from Latino music to English-language pop/rock. He is widely recognized as the first virtuoso classical guitarist to bring the sound of a nylon-string guitar into the pop/rock scene.

Feliciano's "Star-Spangled Banner"

On October 7, 1968, at the height of protests against the

Cooperstown
, New York.

Feliciano trying herring in Amsterdam (1970)

In 1969, Feliciano recorded two more albums with Rick Jarrard, 10 to 23 and the London Palladium double-disc LP,

gold discs.[12] He also worked with Quincy Jones on the Mackenna's Gold movie soundtrack, where he recorded the theme song "Old Turkey Buzzard" and appeared on numerous US television shows, performing duets with Johnny Cash, Bing Crosby, Glen Campbell, Andy Williams, and Diana Ross
.

1970s

Feliz Navidad
José Feliciano in 1970

In 1970, Feliciano released an album of Christmas music, again with Rick Jarrard, originally entitled Jose Feliciano, festively resembling a Christmas present in gold wrapping with a big green and red bow. Later, the album would assume the name of its most unlikely selection, that of Feliciano's composition

Christmas songs in the world and it is in the Grammy Hall of Fame.[15]

In 1971, Feliciano traveled to Italy to participate in the Sanremo Music Festival, singing the song "Che Sarà" in Italian, earning second place in that contest along with a standing ovation from the Italian public. Feliciano later recorded the song with Jarrard, which became a success in Italy, and in much of Europe, including the Eastern Bloc countries, as well as in Asia. They recorded it in Spanish as "Qué Será", which became a hit in Central and South America, and in English as "Shake a Hand", which was a hit in the Scandinavian countries.

Feliciano wrote and performed the theme song to the 1970s comedy series

Kung Fu, and the soundtrack for the 1976 movie Aaron Loves Angela. He has also been 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, Michael Nesmith's Tantamount to Treason Vol. 1, and has given concerts with Carlos Santana, Cat Stevens, and Paul Simon
.

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

In early 1974, Feliciano performed behind the Iron Curtain Prague, Czechoslovakia, sharing the stage there with Czech idol, Karel Gott.

In 1979, Feliciano recorded a spontaneous version of his 1968 hit "Light My Fire" as a duet with rhythm and blues/pop singer Minnie Riperton. The duet was included on Riperton's final studio album for Capitol Records. Riperton died of cancer two months after its release. Feliciano recalls that the duet was unplanned, which is why he is not heard until the second half of the song. He and Riperton were friends and he just happened to be working in an adjoining studio while she was recording and popped in to say hello.

1980s

During the 1980s, after a brief stay on Motown with two English-language albums produced by

Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester
.

Walk of Fame

Feliciano received his star on the

Vienna Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra also performed with him live on national television at Danube Park
in Vienna before 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 home. Always loving radio and wanting to one day be a disc jockey, Jose teamed up with Mark Graham, the owner/programmer/DJ of radio station WMMM in Westport, Connecticut, where they co-hosted a weekly live radio broadcast called Speaking of Music. Here the comical duo would chat about the music of all kinds and Jose shared his vast knowledge of the music industry. Jose would play live on air, take questions from callers and interview guest artists. He enjoyed that post for over a year and says he learned a lot from the experience.

Feliciano released a cover version of

disk jockeys around the world supported the record, helping the 12-inch dance record chart on Billboard and earning him new and younger fans.[17][citation needed
]

In 1996, he made a cameo appearance in the film Fargo as a lounge singer.

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

2000s

Jose Feliciano was presented the 2000 Grammy Legend Award at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, as well as performed the theme song "Behind the Mask" for the television series Queen of Swords also in 2000.

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

On December 6, 2006, Feliciano's Spanish album, José Feliciano y Amigos, was released by Universal Records, featuring Feliciano in duets with other Latin American stars including

Raúl di Blasio. A special edition was later released, featuring Ana Gabriel and Gloria Estefan
.

In 2007, Feliciano released an album called Soundtrax of My Life, the first English-language album completely self-penned.

On October 16, 2007, Feliciano appeared on the

Old Turkey Buzzard", the theme song from Mackenna's Gold. For several months prior, Letterman
had been using a clip from the movie and song as a running gag.

In 2008, Feliciano, a practicing

Roman Catholic, performed at the Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York.[19]

In 2009, Jose was awarded his 7th Grammy for the album Señor Bolero.

2010s

On December 15, 2010, Feliciano appeared as the featured guest on the 37th episode of

Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
.

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

In 2011, Feliciano signed with manager Howard Perl

Hispanic Heritage Month, he was invited to sing God Bless America for the seventh-inning stretch of the New York Yankees game at Yankee Stadium. Additionally, less than a month later, on October 14, 2012, Feliciano returned to baseball's post-season, and on national television, once again rendered his stylized version of the Star-Spangled Banner in San Francisco before the first game of the National League's Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Soon Feliciano appeared on a song with reggaeton artist Farruko called Su hija me gusta, where a young man tells a father I like your daughter.[22] He also began recording sessions[23] with Producers Howard Perl,[24] Jon Guggenheim, Juan Cristobal Losada, Wyclef Jean, Plácido Domingo, Billy Ray Cyrus
, and Frank Licari.

In 2017, Feliciano performed a cover of Stings 'Every Breath You Take' which was panned by critics. [25]

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

2018–present: Feliciano celebrates his golden anniversary

The year 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of Feliciano's entry onto the international music scene with his

Centro de Bellas Artes
, and was called Jose Feliciano: Transcendental 50th Aniversario de Oro y su Legado. To a full house, Feliciano and his homeland public shared his 50 years of musical celebrity in the two-hour spectacle.

On

Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. where 19 new citizens pledged their allegiance to the United States. The event was held in Flag Hall, where the actual banner that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the poem which would become "The Star-Spangled Banner" is exhibited. At this same event a donation ceremony was held where Feliciano presented to the Smithsonian Museum his Candelas guitar with which he first rendered "The Star-Spangled Banner", causing a national furor in 1968, along with other personal objects for the Smithsonian's permanent collection.[27]

On September 8, 2018, Feliciano was invited by the

National Anthem
publicly."

Feliciano's golden anniversary year culminated with a Christmas performance at the Vatican to perform in their annual Christmas celebration, Concerto di Natale, 2018. During their time in Rome, Feliciano and his son, Jonnie, were invited to attend a private audience with Pope Francis.

In January 2019, Feliciano was invited to appear on

En Mi Viejo San Juan". A studio version of the song was subsequently recorded for Anthem Records
and released on June 7, 2019, on all of the major digital platforms around the world. 20% of its proceeds are going to Miranda's Flamboyan Arts Fund, which supports all facets of the arts including music, theater, visual arts, dance, literature and arts education programs for youth and thus ensuring that arts and culture continue to flourish during the reconstruction of Puerto Rico.

On the same weekend in New York City, Feliciano was honored during the 62nd Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. with a Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring him for his contributions to the world of music, while celebrating his roots and love for his island home.

During May and June 2019, Feliciano was recording an album for

with his long-time producer, Rick Jarrard. The album is called Behind This Guitar and was released on January 31, 2020.

Personal life

Feliciano and his first wife Janna (1970)

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

In 1971, Ernie Harwell had introduced Feliciano to Susan Omillian (b. c. 1954) a young Detroit art student. Harwell and Omillian originally met during Feliciano's controversial rendition of the national anthem in 1968.[29][30]

Feliciano and Omillian dated for 11 years before marrying in 1982. The couple have two sons and one daughter and reside in Weston, Connecticut.[29]

Parody controversy

In December 2009, a parody of "Feliz Navidad" titled "The Illegal Alien Christmas Song" was created by radio producers Matt Fox and A. J. Rice and posted on the website for Human Events, an American conservative political website. The parody, sung in English, played on the racial stereotype of Mexican immigrants as heavy drinkers and that illegal immigrants were going to "spread bubonic plague".

Feliciano released a statement on December 23 on his official website:

This song has always been a bridge to the cultures that are so dear to me, never as a vehicle for a political platform of racism and hate. It's disgusting and my only wish that my song and I are distanced from the whole affair as soon as possible.[31]

In a statement to the Associated Press the same day, Jed Babbin, Human Events site editor, apologized for "any offense that Mr. Feliciano may have taken from this parody" and removed it from the site.[32]

Accolades

In Ponce, he is recognized at the Illustrious Ponce Citizens Plaza of the

Parque del Tricentenario.[33]

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

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

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

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

Discography

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "Feliciano!". AllMusic. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  2. ^ "Extremely Accomplished Musician José Feliciano - English Blog - By Puerto Rico Channel". Puertorico.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  3. ^ Deming, Mark. "José Feliciano Biography". allmusic. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  4. ^ Episode 37: Jose Feliciano:: Live From Daryl's House with Daryl Hall:: Current Episode. Livefromdarylshouse.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-12.
  5. ^ "Jose Feliciano Gateway - Welcome to the Official Jose Feliciano Website!". Josefeliciano.com. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  6. ^ "José Feliciano". FoxyTunes. Archived from the original on April 6, 2009.
  7. ^ a b c José Feliciano interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1970)
  8. ^ a b Gilliland, John (September 4, 1969). "Jose Feliciano". Pop Chronicles. Episode 40.
  9. ^ "José Feliciano". Discogs. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  10. ^ "Various - The Newport Folk Festival 1964 Evening Concerts: Vol. 1". Discogs. 1965. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  11. ^ "Jose Feliciano". LondonTown. October 27, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  12. ^ .
  13. ^ "The Story Of José Feliciano's World Series Guitar". NPR.org. October 6, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  14. ^ "A Different National Anthem, Before The Nation Was Ready For It". NPR.org. November 2, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  15. ^ "GRAMMY Hall Of Fame". Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  16. ^ "JF? - Goin' Krazy (1994, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1994. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  17. ^ "José Feliciano Goin' Krazy Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2019.[dead link]
  18. ^ "Independent Music Awards - Past Judges". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011.
  19. ^ "Papal Mass - Jose Feliciano Official Website". Josefeliciano.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  20. ^ "Jose Feliciano Biography, Discography, Chart History". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  21. ^ Cobo, Leila (July 8, 2014). "The Agency Group Opens Miami Office to Target Latin Market (Exclusive)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  22. ^ "Farruko: 'Un honor grabar con Feliciano'". Hoy Digital. November 15, 2011. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011.
  23. ^ Jose Feliciano and Manager Howard Perl at the Willoughby Brewing Company, archived from the original on November 17, 2021, retrieved January 23, 2020
  24. ^ "Howard Perl Entertainment Corporation". howardperl.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  25. Daily Motion
    . Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  26. Official Charts
    . Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  27. ^ George, Alice (June 15, 2018). "For More Than Five Decades, José Feliciano's Version of the National Anthem Has Given Voice to Immigrant Pride". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  28. ^ "Janna Merlyn Feliciano". Los Angeles Times. January 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2019 – via legacy.com.
  29. ^ a b "Musician will pay tribute to Harwell by singing national anthem in Detroit", The Detroit Free Press, p. 7B, Monday, May 10, 2010.
  30. ^ Daniels, Serena Maria (October 28, 2018). "José Feliciano Gets His Due Respect at 50th Anniversary of National Anthem Performance". Latino Rebels. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  31. ^ Jose Feliciano Official Site - OFFICIAL STATEMENT. Josefeliciano.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-12.
  32. ^ Ratner-Arias, Sigal (December 24, 2009). "Singer Feliciano protests 'Feliz Navidad' parody". Boston.com. Associated Press. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  33. ^ Music. Travel Ponce.com. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  34. ISSN 0006-2510
    . Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  35. ^ Salomon, Gisela (November 9, 2011). "Arroyo, Costa, Lora y Les Luthiers honrados por Academia Latina". Terra Networks (in Spanish). Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  36. ^ "International Latin Music Hall of Fame Announces Year 2000 Inductees". March 1, 2000. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  37. ^ Cantor-Navas, Judy (January 28, 2013). "Julio Iglesias in First Class to Enter Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2017.

External links