1. The kid got talent (and knows it)
At the mere age of 17, the boy from a small island Puerto Rico, arrived in the US, not only proving to be a giant guitar virtuoso, but also hugely adaptable - turning his hand to a vast array of different genres and styles, somehow managing to make them both true to the originals and quintessentially his own. In this clip performing a duet with Bing Crosby in 1968 (4 mins) he is either blissfully unaware that his talent is showing up a legend or he’s doing it on purpose. Is there’s a bit of tension and musical one-upmanship between the pair? Or is its just plain to see that Feliciano is that much better than Bing?
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2. No Blacks, No Irish, no Blind Dogs
José’s relationship with London got off to a shaky start in the 60s when the UK authorities refused his guide-dog entry unless it was quarantined for six months. Feliciano responded to the draconian measures, which were intended to stop the spread of rabies, with a song called ‘No Dogs Allowed’. This later became a top ten hit in the Netherlands. Here’s him performing it live:
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3. Better than the Originals
It’s an open secret in the music world that Feliciano’s many covers are without exception better than the originals. (yes even Hendrix’s Purple Haze). Perhaps this is the real reason why huge controversy followed Feliciano’s rendition of the American Nation Anthem before game five of the 1968 World Series between the St. Luis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers. Listeners were caught off guard by José’s personalised, Latin jazz interpretation with some veterans reportedly throwing their shoes at the TV as he sang. This was the first time that someone had dared to perform a non-traditional version of Star Spangled Banner and opened the way for numerous subsequent interpretations and renditions. Always ahead of his time:
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4. And You Dare duet with this guy?
Some may say that José was like the Pitbull of his time; every major artist wanted to do a duet with him, even though he pretty much left them sitting aghast in wonder. Being so difficult to choose one, we’ve opted for this fake one - Billie Jean with Michael Jackson - where Jose does on his guitar what Michael Jackson does with his feet; supreme virtuosity:
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5. One for the Latinos...
...Don't you just love a Latino love in?
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And well, if none of the above convinces you of the genius of Jose Feliciano, let the Germans have the last say…
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Jose Feliciano will be playing at St. Johns in an intimate concert on October 31st and November 1st. For more info go to:
