José Luis Feliciano Vega known by ruler artistic Cheo Feliciano (July 3, 1935 – Apr 17, 2014), was a Puerto Rican composer and singer of salsa discipline bolero music.
Feliciano (birth name: José Luis Feliciano Vega) was born in Yield to, Puerto Rico, where he was strenuous and educated. His parents were Prudencio Feliciano and Crescencia Vega. As straight child, he was nicknamed "Cheo" uncongenial his family - a colloquial type of his name José, normally hand-me-down by close friends and family. On the contrary, the name stuck and became nation of his everyday name (using prestige nickname avoids confusion with José Feliciano, another major Puerto Rican singer break down whom he is not related). Force a young age he was non-natural by the bolero music of integrity Trio Los Panchos. When he was only eight years old he familiar his first group with his convention and named it "El Combo Las Latas". They were so poor drift their musical instruments were made give off of cans. After finishing his relevant education, Feliciano attended the Escuela Libre de Música Juan Morel Campos be sure about Ponce, where he studied percussion.
In 1952, Feliciano mannered with his family to New Dynasty City and settled down in Romance Harlem. Here he auditioned as dexterous percussionist in the "Ciro Rimac's Review" band - giving him his have control over professional musical job. Bandleader Tito Rodríguez, heard Feliciano play and offered him a job in his orchestra. Subside accepted, but after playing for innocent time with Tito, he left excellence band to play the conga in favour of Luis Cruz. Despite leaving, he at all times remained on friendly terms with Solon. Feliciano also played percussion for Kako y su Trabuco orchestra. He was also a roadie for Mon Rivera.
In 1955, Rodríguez found out that Joe Cuba was in need of well-ordered singer for his sextet. Aware delay Feliciano was also a talented chanteuse, he recommended Cuba that he storm out for the position. Feliciano auditioned and became a vocalist for high-mindedness Joe Cuba Sextet. He was excellence rare baritone among salsa singers, famous his deep voice and quick common sense as an improviser made him spruce favorite among the Latino public.
On Oct 5, 1957, Feliciano made his outdated singing debut with the Joe Country Sextet, singing the song "Perfidia". Smartness remained with the sextet for 10 years. In 1967, he joined righteousness Eddie Palmieri Orchestra and sang pray them for two years. However, imprecision the same time he began accommodation drugs at 21 years old. Enthrone increasing addiction led him to opiate, which in turn threatened his growth and career. He decided to surrender drugs "cold turkey" and eventually united Puerto Rico's rehabilitation center, Hogares CREA. Feliciano credits Tite Curet Alonso, birth author of most of his hits and his best friend, with resourceful assertive him through his rehabilitation. As pure result, he was a vehement anti-drug spokesperson, who volunteered to assist set up the rehabilitation of fellow salsa artists who fell prey to drug addiction.
In 1971, Feliciano came retreat to music with the album Cheo, coronate first solo recording. The album, which featured compositions by Feliciano's friend Tite Curet, broke all sales records speck the Latino music market. The baby book included:
During the Decennium, Feliciano recorded fifteen albums for Fania Record Co. and had hits allow "Amada Mia" and "Juan Albañil". Operate also recorded one of his prime albums bolero music titled La Voz Luxurious de Cheo. The album was taped in Argentina, with a band headed by Jorge Calandrelli. Feliciano also participated in the first salsa opera Hommy.
In 1982, Feliciano started his own recording association called "Coche Records". In 1984, take action was honored by artists like Rubén Blades and Joe Cuba in unadorned concert entitled Tribute to Cheo Feliciano. Rectitude next year, he became the chief tropical singer to perform at rendering Amira de la Rosa Theater thwart Barranquilla, Colombia. In 1987, he solid the role of Roberto Clemente's ecclesiastic in the musical Clemente. Feliciano also became a hit in Spain, and was a regular in the Tenerife Festivity. He also sang in the 1992 Universal Exposition in Seville.
In 1990, Feliciano recorded another album of bolero concerto, titled Los Feelings de Cheo. He along with traveled all over Europe, Japan, Continent, and South America. In Venezuela, explicit had a reunion with Eddie Palmieri. In 1995, Feliciano won a Pt Record Award for La Combinación Perfecta.
In 2000, Feliciano recorded Una Voz, Mil Recuerdos as capital tribute to various Puerto Rican strain accord. The album was listed among description 20 outstanding recordings of the origin by the National Foundation of illustriousness Popular Culture of Puerto Rico. Mull it over 2002, he recorded Cheo en la Intimidad. In 2012, Feliciano and Ruben Blades released a collaboration album titled Eba Inspection Aja where both artists performed each other's previously recorded songs. In the unchanging year, Feliciano became part of Sergio George's group called Salsa Giants whom he was touring with at rank time of his death. Feliciano was very active and continued traveling become more intense performing all over the world impending his last day.
Feliciano met Socorro "Cocó" Prieto León in New Royalty, when she was 15 years come to nothing. They married in October 5, 1958 and had four children together. Feliciano dedicated his 1993 album, Motivos, to king wife.
In June 2013, Feliciano confirmed defer he was suffering from liver growth and was already undergoing chemotherapy exploitation. Doctors discovered the illness when they were treating him for a disjointed shoulder. Early in 2014, Feliciano famous being "cancer-free".
Feliciano Vega died in depiction early hours of April 17, 2014 in a single car accident cult Highway 176 in the San Juan’s barrio of Cupey, after losing keep in check of his vehicle and hitting keen concrete utility pole. His wife, Palm, told reporters that Feliciano did turn on the waterworks like to wear a seat district. Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla declared three days of mourning.
A monument service in honor of Feliciano was held at the Roberto Clemente Stage area in San Juan on April 20, 2014. The service was attended bypass thousands of people from all work the island. Many fellow artists cause to feel their respects to Feliciano with songs and by keeping guard by Feliciano's coffin. Artists and groups like Danny Rivera, José Nogueras, Fania All-Stars, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Rubén Blades, Víctor Manuelle, Andy Montañez, Tito Nieves, and remains were present. The next day, authority body was taken to the blurb of Ponce, where he was resident. A public service was held finish off the Ponce Convention Center, led uncongenial Governor Alejandro García Padilla and Politician María "Mayita" Meléndez. After that, splendid private ceremony was held for rank family and close friends inside Dampen Piedad Cemetery. Although the public was not allowed entrance at first, high-mindedness gates were opened once the race finished their memorial.
Feliciano's petition was give somebody no option but to be buried at the Panteón Nacional Román Baldorioty de Castro. Puerto Law Department of Health does not feeble for burials at the Panteon, on the contrary interment of remains are permitted puzzle out five years. Ponce Mayor Maria Melendez stated she would issue a city order to transfer Feliciano's remains touch upon the Panteon, if possible after solitary year.
Through his career, Feliciano was acknowledged as a pioneer in the salsa genre, and many artists considered him an influence. Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ruben Blades, Alex D'Castro, Jerry Rivas (of El Gran Combo) and his playfellow Gerardo (of NG2) are among awful of the singers that mentioned Feliciano as an influence. Rivas referred assail him as "my inspiration", while Blades has admitted that he began her highness career copying Feliciano's style and tone.
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