Cheo Feliciano

 ( 1935 Births ) 

In 1955, Rodríguez found out that Joe Cuba was in need of a singer for his sextet. Aware that Feliciano was also a talented singer, he recommended Cuba that he try out for the position. Feliciano auditioned and became a vocalist for the Joe Cuba Sextet. He was the rare baritone among salsa singers, and his deep voice and quick wit as an improviser made him a favorite among the Latino public.

On October 5, 1957, Feliciano made his professional singing debut with the Joe Cuba Sextet, singing the song "Perfidia". He remained with the sextet for 10 years. In 1967, he joined the Eddie Palmieri and sang for them for two years. However, at the same time he began using drugs at 21 years old. Las batallas de Cheo más alla de la música. Univision. 17 April 2014. Archived His increasing addiction led him to heroin, which in turn threatened his life and career. He decided to quit drugs "cold turkey" and eventually joined Puerto Rico's rehabilitation center, Hogares CREA. Feliciano credits Tite Curet Alonso, the author of most of his hits and his best friend, with pushing him through his rehabilitation. As a result, he was a vehement anti-drug spokesperson, who volunteered to assist in the rehabilitation of fellow salsa artists who fell prey to drug addiction.

• "Anacaona" and
• "Mi Triste Problema"

In 1982, Feliciano started his own recording company called "Coche Records". In 1984, he was honored by artists like Rubén Blades and Joe Cuba in a concert entitled 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 landed the role of Roberto Clemente's father in the musical Clemente. Feliciano also became a hit in Spain, and was a regular in the Tenerife Carnival. He also sang in the 1992 Universal Exposition in Seville.

In 1990, Feliciano recorded another album of bolero music, titled Los Feelings de Cheo. He also traveled all over Europe, Japan, Africa, and South America. In Venezuela, he had a reunion with Eddie Palmieri. In 1995, Feliciano won a Platinum Record Award for La Combinación Perfecta.

In 2000, Feliciano recorded Una Voz, Mil Recuerdos as a tribute to various Puerto Rican singers. The album was listed among the 20 outstanding 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, Feliciano and Ruben Blades released a collaboration album titled Eba Say Aja where both artists performed each other's previously recorded songs. In the same year, Feliciano became part of Sergio George's group called Salsa Giants whom he was touring with at the time of his death. Cheo Feliciano: Farewell to a salsa and bolero icon. Voixx.com Archived on 19 April 2014. Feliciano was very active and continued traveling and performing all over the world until his last day.

A memorial service in honor of Feliciano was held at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan on 20 April 2014. The service was attended by thousands of people from all over the island. Many fellow artists paid 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, and Tito Nieves were present. The next day, his body was taken to the city of Ponce, where he was born. A public service was held at the Ponce Convention Center, led by Governor Alejandro García Padilla and Mayor María "Mayita" Meléndez. After that, a private ceremony was held for the family and close friends inside La Piedad Cemetery. Although the public was not allowed entrance at first, the gates were opened once the family finished their memorial.

Feliciano's petition was to be buried at the Panteón Nacional Román Baldorioty de Castro. Ponceños lamentan la muerte de Cheo Feliciano. Darisabel Texidor Guadalupe. Primera Hora. 17 April 2014. Puerto Rico Department of Health does not allow for burials at the Panteon, ‘Mayita’ perpetuará memoria de ‘Cheo’. Yomaris Rodríguez. EL VOCERO. 22 April 2014. but interment of remains are permitted after five years. Puerto Rico le da el último adiós a Cheo Feliciano. NotiUno. 21 April 2014. Ponce Mayor Maria Melendez stated she would issue a municipal order to transfer Feliciano's remains to the Panteon, Alcaldesa confirma que Cheo Feliciano tendrá un velatorio de pueblo. Presencia. 17 April 2014. if possible after one year. Velatorio de Cheo Feliciano será este fin de semana. Inter News Service. 17 April 2014

• 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)

• Champagne (1968);
• Eddie Palmieri (1981)

• Cheo (1971)
• La Voz Sensual de Cheo (1972)
• Felicidades (1973)
• With a Little Help from My Friend (1973)
• Looking for Love (1974)
• The Singer (1976)
• Mi tierra y yo (1977)
• Estampas (1979)
• Sentimiento, tú (1980)
• Profundo (1982)
• Regresa el amor (1985)
• Sabor y sentimiento (1987)
• Te regalo mi sabor criollo (1987)
• Como tú lo Pediste (1988)
• Los Feelings de Cheo (1990)

• Cantando (1991)
• Motivos (1993)
• Soñar (1996)
• Un Solo Beso (1996)
• El Eterno Enamorado (1997)
• Cheo en Cuba (1997)
• Pinceladas Navideñas (1998)
• Una voz... Mil recuerdos (1999)
• En la Intimidad (2002)
• Salsa Caliente De Nu York (2003)
• Romántico (2004)
• Navidad más excelente de Cheo Feliciano (2005)
• Pura salsa (2006)
• La herencia (2007)
• A Man And His Music (2009)
• Historia de la salsa (2009)

• "A las Seis" (1962),
• "El Pito" (1967)
• "Busca lo Tuyo" (1968), Eddie Palmieri
• "Anacaona" (1971)
• "Mi Triste Problema" (1971)
• "Salomé" (1973)
• "Nabori" (1973)
• "Mapeye" (1973)
• "El Ratón" (1974), Fania All Stars
• "Canta" (1976)
• "Los Entierros" (1979)
• "Amada Mía" (1980)
• "Juan Albañil" (1980)
• "Sobre Una Tumba Humilde" (1980)
• "Ritmo Alegre" (1981), Eddie Palmieri
• "Trizas" (1982)
• "Yo No Soy Un Ángel" (1991)
• "Mentiras" (1991)

• 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 - Honorable Son of Ponce
• 1999 - A tribute in his honor from the Puerto Rican Senate
• 2008 - June 20 declared Cheo Feliciano Day in New York City
• 2008 - Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
• In Ponce, he is recognized at the Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens. Profile, travelponce.com; Retrieved 3 October 2013.

• List of Puerto Ricans
• Black history in Puerto Rico

• Salsa Talks: A Musical Heritage Uncovered by Mary Kent; Chapter 9, pp. 92–103, Cheo Feliciano; Digital Domain; /