One of the most prominent Latin-born performers of the pop era, Puerto Rican guitarist, singer, and composer José Feliciano found mainstream success in the late 1960s with his appealing mix of flamenco guitar, bolero, folk, and easy listening pop music. Already a success in Latin America, Feliciano scored a major American hit with his 1968 cover of the Doors' "Light My Fire," before inciting controversy with his jazzy rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" during the World Series in October of that year. His 1970 Christmas pop classic "Feliz Navidad" went on to become one of the most ubiquitous songs in the holiday canon.
Feliciano was born September 10, 1945, in Lares, Puerto Rico; the victim of congenital glaucoma, he was left permanently blind at birth. Five years later, he and his family moved to New York City's Spanish Harlem area; there Feliciano began learning the accordion, later taking up the guitar and making his first public appearance at the Bronx's El Teatro Puerto Rico at the age of nine.
Unhappy with the direction of his music following the release of 1966's A Bag Full of Soul, Feliciano returned to his roots, releasing three consecutive Spanish-language LPs -- Sombras...Una Voz, Una Guitarra, Mas Exitos de Jose Feliciano, and Sentimiento, La Voz y La Guitarra -- on RCA International, scoring on the Latin pop charts with a single "La Copa Rota". With 1968's Feliciano!, he scored a breakthrough hit with a soulful reading of the Doors' "Light My Fire" that launched him into the mainstream pop stratosphere.
In 2022, Feliciano received the Legend Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards; he was the first artist to receive the honor. It was a busy year that saw two releases from the veteran artist. Right Here Waiting was a set of classic tunes that included a new recording of "Light My Fire".
Amazon Music ~ Jason Ankeny
Birth Name: José Feliciano
Born: September 10, 1945 (age 79)
From: Lares, Puerto Rico
Genre(s):
Latin pop,
pop,
soft rock,
bolero
Instrument(s):
Guitar,
cuatro,
vocals
Occupation(s):
Musician,
singer,
composer
Active From: 1962-present