Feliciano was raised and educated in the city of Ponce, which is located in the southern part of Puerto Rico. As a child, he was nicknamed "Cheo" by his family - a name which means Jose and is a term normally only used by close friends and family. However, the name stuck and became part of his everyday name (using the nickname avoids confusion with Jose Feliciano, another major Puerto Rican singer to whom he is not related). At a young age he was influenced by the bolero music of the "Trio Los Panchos". When he was only eight years old he formed his first group with his friends and named it "El Combo Las Latas". They were so poor that their musical instruments were made out of cans. Cheo attended the Free School of Music in Ponce after finishing his primary education where he studied and became a percussionist.
In 1952, Feliciano moved with his family to New York City and settled down in Spanish Harlem. Here he auditioned as a percussionist in the "Ciro Rimac's Review" band - giving him his first professional musical job. Bandleader Tito Rodriguez, heard Feliciano play and offered him a job in his orchestra; this he accepted but after playing for some time with Tito, he left the band to play the conga for Luis Cruz. Despite leaving he always remained on friendly terms with Tito. Feliciano also played perussionist for "Kako y su Trabuco" orchestra. He was also a roadie for Mon Rivera.
In 1955, Tito Rodriguez found out that Joe Cuba was in need of a singer for his sextet. Aware that Feliciano was also a talented singer, Tito recommended 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 song "Perfidia" (he was also married on that same day). He sang for the sextet for a total of 10 years. During those years, he enjoyed successes with the following "hits",:
* "A la Seis" (At Six),
* "Como Ríen" (How They Laughed),
* "El Pito (I'll Never Go Back To Georgia)" and
* "El Ratón" (The Rat), which he composed.
Feliciano was also an anti-war activist during the Viet Nam War era.
In 1967, Cheo joined the Eddie Palmieri Orchestra and sang for them for 2 years. However, an increasing addiction to heroin threatened his life and career. He decided to cure himself "cold turkey" and eventually join Puerto Rico's rehabilitation center, Hogares CREA. He credits Tite Curet Alonso, the author of most of his hits and his best friend, with pushing him through his rehabilitation. As a result, Feliciano is a candid (and vehement) anti-drug spokesperson, who has volunteered to assist in the rehabilitation of fellow salsa artists who fall prey to drug addiction.
In 1972, Feliciano came back to music and made album "Cheo", his first solo recording, which broke all sales records in the Latino music market. The album included:
* "Anacaona" and
* "Mi Triste Problema" (My Sad Problem).
During the 1970s, Feliciano recorded for the "Fania Record Co." and had "Hits" with "Amada Mia" (My Love) and "Juan Albañil". He also participated in the first salsa opera "Hommy".
In 1982, Feliciano formed his own recording company called "Coche Records" and in 1985 he became the first singer of tropical themes to perform at the Amira de la Rosa Theater in Barranquilla, Colombia. In 1987, Feliciano landed the role of Roberto Clementes father in the musical "Clemente".
In 1990, he recorded his first album of boleros title "Los "Feelings" de Cheo". Feliciano traveled and performed in many Latin American countries including Cuba and Venezuela. In Venezuela, he had a reencounter and performed with Eddie Palmieri. In 1995, Feliciano won a Platinum Record Award for "La Combinación Perfecta" (The Perfect Combination).
In 2000, Feliciano recorded "Mil Voces, Mil Recuerdos" (A Thousand Voices, A Thousand Memories) as a tribute to various Puerto Rican singers. The album was named among the 20 outstanding recordings of the year by the National Fundation of the Popular Culture of Puerto Rico. In 2002, Feliciano recorded "Cheo en la Intimidad".
During the years, Cheo Feliciano has received the following recognitions:
* 1975-The Golded Cup-Venezuela,
* 1976-"Most Popular Artist" by Latin New York magazine,
* 1977-Daily News Front Page Award "Best Latin Vocalist",
* 1985-Owl of Gols-Panama, The Silver Chin Award-Miami, A Golden Agueybana Award-Puerto Rico,
* 1983-Honorable Son of Ponce and 1984,
* 1999-A Tribute in his honor from the Puerto Rican Senate.
Cheo Feliciano currently resides in Puerto Rico and continues to record boleros. He is also the anti-drugs spokesperson for the Government of Puerto Rico.
Amiga
Cheo Feliciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
con un beso inmenso que es sincero.
que llego del fondo de tu amor. Mmmmmm.
Amiga, verte a la verdad es ver la vida.
Siempre llevas algo a escondidas,
que conservas para quien te brinda amor, siiii.
es que duerme tu alegría,
pues jamás la olvidarías, ese es tu mejor camino
es tu sueño mas feliz y seguirás así. Mmmmmm.
Amiga, tus retoños cuidaran tus pasos
y en la noche sentirás mi abrazo, cuidare tus sueños
para que tus días no pierdan tu forma
de querer. Mmmmmm.
Amiga, corazón sediento e ternura
el cariño es tu mayor fortuna. Mmmmmmm.
Hecha en el silencio esta tu bondad
Eres como el viento libre y natural.
In Cheo Feliciano's song "Amiga," he expresses how much he appreciates and loves his friend by singing to her. The lyrics are very powerful and carry deep meaning. Cheo wants to express his love for his friend in many ways, but a sincere and immense kiss is what he believes can explain his feelings. The kiss comes straight from the depths of his love for her. Cheo believes his friend is the meaning of life, and to see her is to see life. She always has something hidden that she only reveals to those who show her love. Cheo understands that when his friend is not smiling, she is not happy, and her happiness lies in her dreams. She treasures her dreams because they make up her happiest moments, and therefore, she ensures to keep them alive.
Cheo believes that his friend's children will be there for her, and in the night, he will be there around her, ensuring that she gets to dream all her dreams. Cheo believes his friend's heart is pure and in need of nothing but tenderness, as that is her greatest fortune. Cheo recognizes that his friend's kindness is silent, free, and natural, just like the wind.
Line by Line Meaning
Amiga, hoy quiero cantar decir te quiero,
Friend, today I want to sing and say I love you, with a sincere and immense kiss that comes from the bottom of your love.
que llego del fondo de tu amor. Mmmmmm.
Which comes from the depths of your love. Mmmmmm.
Amiga, verte a la verdad es ver la vida.
Friend, seeing you is to truly see life. You always carry something hidden, which you keep for those who offer you love.
Siempre llevas algo a escondidas,
You always carry something hidden,
que conservas para quien te brinda amor, siiii.
which you keep for those who offer you love, yes.
Cuando callas y no hay sonrisa,
When you're silent and there's no smile,
es que duerme tu alegría,
it's because your joy is sleeping,
pues jamás la olvidarías, ese es tu mejor camino
as you would never forget it, that's your best path
es tu sueño mas feliz y seguirás así. Mmmmmm.
it's your happiest dream and you'll keep going like that. Mmmmmm.
Amiga, tus retoños cuidaran tus pasos
Friend, your offspring will take care of your steps
y en la noche sentirás mi abrazo, cuidare tus sueños
and in the night you will feel my embrace. I will take care of your dreams,
para que tus días no pierdan tu forma
so that your days don't lose their shape
de querer. Mmmmmm.
of loving. Mmmmmm.
Amiga, corazón sediento e ternura
Friend, a heart thirsty for tenderness
el cariño es tu mayor fortuna. Mmmmmmm.
love is your greatest fortune. Mmmmmmm.
Hecha en el silencio esta tu bondad
Your kindness is made in silence,
Eres como el viento libre y natural.
you are like the free and natural wind.
Contributed by Charlotte B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.