Feliciano, José, << fuh lee see AH noh, hoh SAY >> (1945-…), is a Puerto Rican-born singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Feliciano has been successful recording pop songs in both Spanish and English. His music has also included elements of jazz, rock, folk, soul, and Latin and classical music. He is best known for his 1968 version of the song “Light My Fire” and his 1970 song “Feliz Navidad,” which became a Christmas classic.
Feliciano has won a number of Grammy Awards , beginning with best male pop vocal performance for “Light My Fire” and best new artist in 1968. He has also won awards for best Latin pop performance and best tropical performance. Feliciano has also won a number of Latin Grammy Awards, including a 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.
José Montserrate Feliciano García was born in Lares, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 10, 1945. He grew up in New York City. His family was poor. Feliciano has been blind since birth. He taught himself to play the guitar and other instruments as a child, practicing for as many as 14 hours each day. Feliciano performed in coffee houses during his teenage years. He became famous in the United States in 1968 with his album Feliciano! Also in 1968, Feliciano performed the national anthem of the United States during the World Series. His unconventional, soulful rendition was highly controversial, yet a recording of it later became a hit single. He also co-wrote and performed the theme song for the popular American television situation comedy “Chico and the Man” (1974-1978).
