Christmas Madness-Part VII

José Montserrate Feliciano García was born on September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico. One of twelve children, Feliciano is blind because of congenital glaucoma. He was first exposed to music at age three. When he was five, his family moved to Spanish Harlem, New York City and, at age nine, he played on the Teatro Puerto Rico. He started his musical life playing accordion until his grandfather gave him a guitar. He reportedly sat by himself in his room for up to 14 hours a day to listen to 1950s rock albums, classical guitarists such as Andrés Segovia, and jazz players such as Wes Montgomery. He later had classical lessons with Harold Morris who earlier had been a student with Segovia.

At 17, he quit school to play in clubs, having his first professional, contracted performance in Detroit.

In 1970, he wrote and released an album of Christmas music, Feliz Navidad, which may be deemed to be his most famous recording. The title song has been covered by many artists and is now a traditional part of the musical landscape in the U.S, Canada and Latin America around Christmas time. Each year during the Christmas season, Feliz Navidad returns to US airwaves, one of the most-played and most-downloaded radio songs and downloaded songs of the season. Feliz Navidad is also recognized by ASCAP as one of the 25 all-time most-played Christmas songs in the world.

http://www.wikipedia.com/

Local favorite Tyrone Dunn will sing the song at this season's Christmas Madness concert on Friday and Saturday, December 17th and 18th.


Watch Feliciano sing his Christmas hit.