artist info

FELICIANO: A Name That is Synonymous with MUSIC. It is synonymous with an international presence that has influenced popular music for two generations. It is synonymous with a presence that has bridged musical styles in a way that has never been equaled. José Feliciano is recognized as the first Latin Artist to effectively cross over into the English music market, opening the doors for other artists who now play an important role in the American music industry.

As importantly, Feliciano has been acclaimed by critics around the world as "The greatest living guitarist." Referred to as "The Picasso of his Realm," José Feliciano's accomplishments are highly celebrated. He's been awarded over forty-five Gold and Platinum records; he has won nineteen Grammy nominations, earning nine Grammy Awards, including the "LARAS Award for Lifetime Achievement."

José Feliciano's musical career has been immortalized with a Star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame while New York City honored him by re-naming Public School 155 in East Harlem, "The José Feliciano Performing Arts School." The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, an ancient and prestigious Papal Order of the Catholic Church knighted José in Saint Patrick's Cathedral and he received a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, for his musical, as well as humanitarian, contributions to the world. Guitar Player Magazine awarded him "Best Pop Guitarist," placing him in their "Gallery of the Greats," and he was voted both "Best Jazz" and "Best Rock Guitarist" in the Playboy Magazine reader's poll, as well. In 1996, José was selected to receive Billboard Magazine's "Lifetime Achievement Award."

Continuing to be constantly in demand, José has performed for and with some of the most important people on Earth. He's enjoyed playing with many of the top symphonic orchestras including the London Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. He's appeared on major television shows worldwide; he has done a number of his own specials and his music has been featured on television, in films and on the stage.

José was born blind, to humble beginnings, on September 10, 1945, in Lares, Puerto Rico. One of eleven boys, his love affair with music began at the age of three when he first accompanied his uncle on a tin cracker can. When he was five, his family immigrated to New York City. Young José learned to play the concertina at age six, using a handful of records as his teacher. At the age of 8, he entertained his classmates at PS 57, and at 9, performed at The Puerto Rican Theater in the Bronx. Venturing beyond the accordion around that time, he taught himself to play the guitar with undaunted determination and again, with nothing but records as his teacher, practicing for as many as 14 hours a day. Exposed to the Rock'n'Roll of the 50's, José was then inspired to sing.

At 17, José quit school. His father was not working at the time and he needed to help his family. He starting playing in coffee houses in Greenwich Village and for his salary — as was the norm during that time in small clubs — they'd "pass the hat." He played in coffee houses, clubs and cafés from Boston to Cleveland to Detroit, Chicago and Denver. A music critic from the New York Times, reviewing his performance at Gerde's Folk City, referred to him as a "10-fingered wizard who romps, runs, rolls, picks and reverberates his six strings in an incomparable fashion." He added, "If you want to witness the birth of a star, catch Mr. Feliciano before he leaves tomorrow night." Around this time, Jack Sommer, an A&R executive from RCA, went to the Village to audition a trio who was there, saw José perform and signed him to RCA, instead. This was, indeed, the Birth of a Star.

Three songs that have been milestones for Feliciano are: 1) "Light My Fire," which topped the charts globally in 1968 and according to the song's publisher, is now considered a standard because of José's interpretation. 2) "Che Sará," the 1971 San Remo Music Festival entry that became a mega-success for José throughout Europe, Asia and South America, and of course, 3) "Feliz Navidad," the Christmas song that has become a tradition worldwide, and top digital download while being acclaimed by ASCAP as one of the 25 Greatest Holiday Songs of the Century!

Jose's most recent album "Behind The Guitar (Deluxe)" acknowledges the brilliant legacy of José Feliciano as it continues to evolve and includes the 50th Anniversary edition of "Feliz Navidad', "Eagle When She Flies" featuring Dolly Parton, "I'm America" featuring the Virginia Union University Choir and more. Recorded and produced with the great Rick Jarrard whose productions in 1968 catapulted José onto the American music scene the album was released on January 31st, 2020. Essentially, the title track tells José's story in 4.5 minutes. Written by Phil O'Donnell, Casey Beathard and Don Sampson, you might assume they'd worked off of José's bio for inspiration. The truth is, however, it was a tune that Rick had heard one of the writers perform in a Nashville club, years before. He knew at that moment, one day, José Feliciano's voice and guitar would, in fact, claim it as his own story, too.