José Feliciano

Malagueña



José Feliciano was born in Puerto Rico, one of eleven children. Permanently blind at birth, due to congenital glaucoma, he was first exposed to music at age three. At five, his family moved to Spanish Harlem, 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 reputedly 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 dropped out of school and started playing clubs in Detroit.

Jammin' with Johnny Cash



Bluegrass!



Ridiculous Album Art...