Cheo Feliciano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cheo Feliciano
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Cheo Feliciano in 2012
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | José Luis Feliciano Vega |
| Born | 3 July 1935 Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Died | 17 April 2014 (aged 78) San Juan, Puerto Rico |
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| Years active | 1957–2014 |
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Cheo Feliciano (born July 3, 1935 – died April 17, 2014) was a famous Puerto Rican singer and composer. He was known for his amazing salsa and bolero music. Cheo also owned his own music company called "Coche Records." He was the first tropical singer to perform at the Amira de la Rosa Theater in Barranquilla, Colombia. In 1987, he even acted in a musical called Clemente, playing the father of baseball legend Roberto Clemente.
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Cheo Feliciano's Early Life
José Luis Feliciano Vega was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. This is where he grew up and went to school. His parents were Prudencio Feliciano and Crescencia Vega. When he was a child, his family gave him the nickname "Cheo." This was a common way to say "José" among close friends. The name stuck, and he became known as Cheo Feliciano. This also helped avoid confusion with another famous Puerto Rican singer named José Feliciano, who was not related to him.
How Did Cheo Get Into Music?
When Cheo was young, he loved the bolero music of the Trio Los Panchos. At just eight years old, he started his first music group with his friends. They called themselves "El Combo Las Latas." They were so poor that they made their musical instruments from old cans. After finishing elementary school, Cheo went to the Escuela Libre de Música Juan Morel Campos in Ponce. There, he studied how to play percussion instruments.
Starting His Musical Journey
In 1952, Cheo and his family moved to New York City. They settled in a neighborhood called Spanish Harlem. Cheo tried out for a band called "Ciro Rimac's Review" as a percussionist. This was his first professional music job. The famous Bandleader Tito Rodríguez heard Cheo play. He offered Cheo a job in his orchestra. Cheo accepted, but later left to play the conga drum for Luis Cruz. He always stayed good friends with Tito. Cheo also played percussion for the Kako y su Trabuco orchestra. He even worked as a roadie for Mon Rivera.
Joining the Joe Cuba Sextet
In 1955, Tito Rodríguez learned that Joe Cuba needed a singer for his band, the Joe Cuba Sextet. Tito knew Cheo was also a great singer, so he told Joe Cuba about him. Cheo tried out and became a singer for the Joe Cuba Sextet. He had a unique deep voice, which was rare among salsa singers. His quick wit and ability to improvise made him a favorite among Latino fans.
On October 5, 1957, Cheo Feliciano officially started his singing career with the Joe Cuba Sextet. He sang a song called "Perfidia." He stayed with this group for 10 years. In 1967, he joined the Eddie Palmieri Orchestra and sang with them for two years.
Returning to Music and Solo Success
After taking a break, Cheo Feliciano returned to music in 1971. He released his first solo album called Cheo. This album had songs written by his friend Tite Curet. The album was a huge success, selling more copies than any other Latino music album at the time. It included popular songs like:
- "Anacaona"
- "Mi Triste Problema"
During the 1970s, Cheo recorded fifteen albums for Fania Record Co.. He had big hits with songs like "Amada Mia" and "Juan Albañil." He also recorded an album of bolero music called La Voz Sensual de Cheo. This album was made in Argentina with a band led by Jorge Calandrelli. Cheo also took part in the first salsa opera called Hommy.
New Ventures and Awards
In 1982, Cheo Feliciano started his own music company, "Coche Records." Two years later, in 1984, artists like Rubén Blades and Joe Cuba honored him in a concert called Tribute to Cheo Feliciano. The next year, he became the first tropical singer to perform at the Amira de la Rosa Theater in Barranquilla, Colombia. In 1987, he played the role of Roberto Clemente's father in the musical Clemente. Cheo also became very popular in Spain and often performed at the Tenerife Carnival. He also sang at the 1992 Universal Exposition in Seville.
In 1990, Cheo recorded another bolero album called Los Feelings de Cheo. He traveled all over the world, performing in Europe, Japan, Africa, and South America. In Venezuela, he reunited with Eddie Palmieri. In 1995, Cheo won a Platinum Record Award for his album La Combinación Perfecta.
In 2000, Cheo Feliciano recorded Una Voz, Mil Recuerdos. This album was a tribute to many Puerto Rican singers. It was named one of the top 20 recordings of the year by the National Foundation of the Popular Culture of Puerto Rico. In 2002, he recorded Cheo en la Intimidad. In 2012, Cheo and Ruben Blades released a joint album called Eba Say Aja. On this album, they sang each other's famous songs. In the same year, Cheo joined Sergio George's group called Salsa Giants. He was touring with them when he passed away. Cheo was very active and continued to travel and perform until his last day.
Cheo Feliciano's Personal Life
Cheo Feliciano met Socorro "Cocó" Prieto León in New York when she was 15 years old. They got married on October 5, 1958, and had four children together. Cheo dedicated his 1993 album, Motivos, to his wife.
Health Challenges
In June 2013, Cheo Feliciano shared that he was battling liver cancer. He was already getting chemotherapy treatments. Doctors found the illness when they were treating him for a dislocated shoulder. In early 2014, Cheo celebrated being "cancer-free."
Cheo Feliciano's Passing
Cheo Feliciano died early on April 17, 2014. He was in a car accident on Highway 176 in the San Juan neighborhood of Cupey. He lost control of his car and hit a concrete utility pole. His wife, Coco, told reporters that Cheo did not like to wear a seat belt. The Governor of Puerto Rico, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, announced three days of mourning for Cheo.
Memorial Services
A memorial service for Cheo Feliciano was held at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan on April 20, 2014. Thousands of people from all over Puerto Rico attended. Many fellow artists honored Cheo with songs and by standing guard near his coffin. Artists and groups like Danny Rivera, José Nogueras, Fania All-Stars, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Rubén Blades, Víctor Manuelle, Andy Montañez, and Tito Nieves were there.
The next day, Cheo's body was taken to his hometown of Ponce. A public service was held at the Ponce Convention Center. Governor Alejandro García Padilla and Mayor María "Mayita" Meléndez led the service. Afterward, a private ceremony was held for his family and close friends at La Piedad Cemetery. The gates were opened to the public after the family finished their memorial.
Cheo Feliciano had wished to be buried at the Panteón Nacional Román Baldorioty de Castro. The Puerto Rico Department of Health does not allow burials there, but remains can be placed there after five years. Ponce Mayor Maria Melendez said she would try to arrange for Cheo's remains to be moved to the Panteon, possibly after one year.
Cheo Feliciano's Influence on Music
Throughout his career, Cheo Feliciano was seen as a leader in the salsa genre. Many artists looked up to him and said he influenced their music. Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ruben Blades, Alex D'Castro, Jerry Rivas (from El Gran Combo), and his friend Gerardo (from NG2) are some singers who mentioned Cheo as an inspiration. Rivas called him "my inspiration." Blades even said he started his career by trying to copy Cheo's singing style and voice.
Cheo Feliciano's Music Albums
With Joe Cuba Sextet
- Cha Cha Cha's To Soothe The Savage Beast (1958)
- Steppin' Out (1962)
- Hangin' Out (1963)
- Diggin' the Most (1963)
- El Alma Del Barrio (1964)
- We Must Be Doing Something Right (1965)
- Comin' at You (1965)
- Bailadores (1965)
- Red Hot and Cha Cha (1966)
With Eddie Palmieri
- Champagne (1968)
- Eddie Palmieri (1981)
Solo Albums
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Popular Songs (Singles)
- "A las Seis" (1962)
- "El Pito" (1967)
- "Busca lo Tuyo" (1968), with Eddie Palmieri
- "Anacaona" (1971)
- "Mi Triste Problema" (1971)
- "Salomé" (1973)
- "Nabori" (1973)
- "Mapeye" (1973)
- "El Ratón" (1974), with Fania All Stars
- "Canta" (1976)
- "Los Entierros" (1979)
- "Amada Mía" (1980)
- "Juan Albañil" (1980)
- "Sobre Una Tumba Humilde" (1980)
- "Ritmo Alegre" (1981), with Eddie Palmieri
- "Trizas" (1982)
- "Yo No Soy Un Ángel" (1991)
- "Mentiras" (1991)
Awards and Recognitions for Cheo Feliciano
- 1975 - The Golden Cup - Venezuela
- 1976 - "Most Popular Artist" by Latin New York magazine
- 1977 - Daily News Front Page Award for "Best Latin Vocalist"
- 1985 - Owl of Gold (Panama); The Silver Chin Award (Miami, Florida); Golden Agueybana Award (Puerto Rico)
- 1983 & 1984 - Honored as a "Son of Ponce"
- 1999 - The Puerto Rican Senate held a special tribute in his honor.
- 2008 - June 20 was declared Cheo Feliciano Day in New York City.
- 2008 - Received the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In Ponce, he is recognized at the Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.
Images for kids
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Cheo Feliciano in 2012
See also
In Spanish: Cheo Feliciano para niños
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Black history in Puerto Rico
