Jose Feliciano Biography

José Feliciano was born in 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico, into a large family of eleven boys. At the age of five, he and his family relocated to New York City, where the vibrant musical landscape captured his imagination. As a child, Feliciano learned to play the concertina by listening to records and was performing in his neighborhood by the age of ten. Self-taught in guitar, he committed long hours to mastering the instrument and began to explore his vocal talents in his mid-teens, foreshadowing his future as a celebrated musician.

Despite his artistic inclinations, Feliciano faced a challenging upbringing marked by poverty. At seventeen, he left school to support his family financially, turning to music as his best chance for a sustainable income. He started performing in Greenwich Village coffeehouses, where his unique style began to draw attention. His big break came in 1966 when he performed at the Mar del Plata Festival in Argentina, capturing the interest of RCA executives. This led to the production of his first album, inspired by childhood memories of traditional "boleros."

Feliciano's subsequent discography includes a series of hit albums and singles that have left a lasting mark on the music industry. Albums like Feliciano! (1968) and Fireworks (1970) were pivotal in his rise to fame, and hits such as "Light My Fire" and "Suzie Q" showcased his unique blend of genres. With more than forty-five records achieving gold or platinum status, Feliciano has received numerous accolades, including sixteen Grammy nominations, six Grammy wins, and the Billboard Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. His commitment to humanitarian efforts has also been recognized, leading to an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Sacred Heart University.

Despite the challenges he faced throughout his career, Feliciano has continued to captivate audiences around the world. He has performed alongside esteemed symphony orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the London Symphony. In 2012, he stirred emotions by performing the "Star-Spangled Banner" for both the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals, marking a return to a cherished tradition that began in 1968. His performance fifty years later at the 2018 World Series was met with enthusiastic cheers, symbolizing a long-awaited sense of peace and acknowledgment.

In December 2018, José Feliciano celebrated his golden anniversary with a performance at the Vatican during their annual Christmas celebration, the Concerto di Natale. His time in Rome allowed him the extraordinary opportunity to meet Pope Francis during a private audience, further solidifying his legacy as an artist of great cultural significance.

The following year, Feliciano joined Lin-Manuel Miranda on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, promoting Puerto Rico's recovery post-Hurricane Maria through music. Together, they performed the beloved anthem "En Mi Viejo San Juan," with a studio version released to benefit arts education programs in Puerto Rico. This commitment to his roots was also recognized at the 62nd Puerto Rican Day Parade, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2019, Feliciano recorded a new album, Behind This Guitar, with long-time producer Rick Jarrard, which was released in January 2020. His unwavering dedication to music and his community continues to inspire, ensuring that José Feliciano’s legacy endures as a trailblazer in the crossover of Latin music and popular culture.