Biography
Who is José Feliciano?
Early life and education
José Feliciano was born on September 10, 1945, in Lares, Puerto Rico. He was the fourth of eleven sons. Congenital glaucoma caused him to be born blind. He started playing music at age three using a cracker tin can. His family moved to Spanish Harlem in New York City when he was five. He first performed in public at the Teatro Puerto Rico in The Bronx.
José taught himself the accordion at age seven. His father gave him a guitar when he was nine. He spent up to 14 hours a day practicing in his room. He listened to jazz players and classical guitarists. He studied under Harold Morris at The Light House School for the Blind. He also attended PS 6 and the Bayard Rustin Educational Complex.
Path to fame
José left high school at age 17 to support his family. He performed in Greenwich Village coffee houses. His first professional contract was for a show at The Retort in Detroit, Michigan. In 1963, Jack Somer from RCA Victor discovered him at Gerde's Folk City.
José released his first single, "Everybody Do the Click", in 1964. This song reached number 2 in the Philippines. He performed at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. His first two albums were The Voice and Guitar of José Feliciano and A Bag Full of Soul. These folk pop soul records gained radio play across the United States.
International success
In 1966, José visited Mar del Plata, Argentina. He played at the Festival de Mar del Plata. He recorded bolero music there and released singles called "Poquita Fe" and "Usted". He also recorded "La Copa Rota" and "Extraños en la Noche".
In 1967, he visited the United Kingdom. Authorities banned his guide dog, Trudy, unless she stayed in quarantine. José wrote the song "No Dogs Allowed" about this event. He also performed on pirate radio stations Radio 227 and Radio 355.
The World Series and honors
José Feliciano played "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Tiger Stadium on October 7, 1968. This was for Game 5 of the World Series between the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals. He used a slow Latin jazz style. The recording reached number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. This version is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame in New York.
In 1968, he won Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Pop Male Performance. He later received a Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award. He also won a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has three Grammy Awards for Best Latin Pop Album.
Family and personal life
José Feliciano is married to Hilda Pérez. Throughout his career, he has released over 50 albums in English and Spanish. He has worked with Quincy Jones on the Mackenna's Gold soundtrack. He recorded the theme "Old Turkey Buzzard" for that film.
He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He has performed duets with Diana Ross and Johnny Cash. He also sang with Andy Williams and Glen Campbell.
Birthday and age
José Feliciano was born on September 10, 1945, which makes José 81 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. José shares the date with 23 other famous people.
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