Cheo Feliciano

Biography

José Luis Feliciano Vega, known as Cheo Feliciano, was born on July 3, 1935, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Influenced early by bolero music from Trio Los Panchos, he formed his first group, El Combo Las Latas, at age eight, using cans as instruments due to poverty. He studied percussion at the Escuela Libre de Música Juan Morel Campos in Ponce, then moved to New York City's Spanish Harlem in 1952 with his family. Starting as a percussionist with bands like Ciro Rimac's Review, Tito Rodríguez's orchestra, and others, he transitioned to vocals on Tito Rodríguez's recommendation, debuting professionally with the Joe Cuba Sextet on October 5, 1957, singing 'Perfidia.' His rare baritone voice and improvisational wit made him a standout in salsa.[1][2][3][6]

Feliciano remained with Joe Cuba for a decade until 1967, then joined Eddie Palmieri's orchestra, but heroin addiction interrupted his career around 1969. After rehabilitation, he became a prominent anti-drug advocate. Relaunching in 1972 with his solo album Cheo on Vaya Records (a Fania subsidiary), featuring Tite Curet compositions like 'Anacaona' and 'Mi Triste Problema,' it broke sales records. He recorded 15 albums for Fania in the 1970s, including hits like 'Amada Mia,' 'Juan Albañil,' and bolero album La Voz Sensual de Cheo in Argentina under Jorge Calandrelli. He participated in the first salsa opera Hommy and joined the Fania All-Stars. In 1982, he founded Coche Records, continued releasing albums into the 2000s, and earned a 2008 Latin Grammy for Excellence in Music.[1][2][3][4][6]

Feliciano's style blended salsa sonero prowess with sensual bolero interpretations, earning him acclaim across Latin America, Spain, and Colombia, where he was the first tropical singer at the Amira de la Rosa Theater in 1985. He acted as Roberto Clemente's father in the 1987 musical Clemente. He died in a car accident in San Juan on April 17, 2014, at age 78, leaving a legacy as a powerful, versatile voice in salsa and bolero.[1][2][4][6]

Fun Facts

• At age 8, he formed 'El Combo Las Latas' with friends, using cans as instruments due to poverty.
• He paused his career in the late 1960s to protest the Vietnam War, halting for three years.
• Distinguished by 'Cheo' nickname to avoid confusion with guitarist José Feliciano, despite no relation.
• First tropical singer to perform at Colombia's Amira de la Rosa Theater in 1985; acted in musical Clemente (1987).

Associated Acts

• Fania All-Stars

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Tito Rodríguez - Recommended him for vocalist position with Joe Cuba Sextet after hearing him as percussionist (Worked as bandboy and percussionist in Tito Rodríguez orchestra) [1950s]
• Trio Los Panchos - Early musical influence on bolero style (N/A) [Childhood, pre-1950]

Key Collaborators

• Joe Cuba Sextet - Lead vocalist for 10 years (Debut 'Perfidia' (1957); various hits) [1955-1967]
• Eddie Palmieri Orchestra - Vocalist (Recordings during tenure) [1967-1969]
• Fania All-Stars - Member and performer (Multiple albums and live shows) [1972 onward]
• Tite Curet - Composer of key songs (Album Cheo (1972) including 'Anacaona', 'Mi Triste Problema') [1970s]
• Jorge Calandrelli - Band director for bolero album (La Voz Sensual de Cheo) [1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Rubén Blades - Honored him in tribute concert (Tribute to Cheo Feliciano concert) [1984]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #bolero, #latin, #salsa