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.
Contigo en la distancia
Cheo Feliciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En que pueda apartarme de ti
El mundo parece distinto
Cuando no estas junto a mi
No hay bella melodia
En que no surgas tu
Ni yo quiero escucharla
Si no la escuchas tu
En parte de mi alma
Ya nada me consuela
Si no estas tu tambien
Mas alla de tu labios
Del sol y las estrellas
Contigo en la distancia
Amado mio, estoy.
Es que te has convertido
En parte de mi alma
Ya nada me consuela
Si no estas tu tambien
Mas alla de tu labios
Del sol y las estrellas
Contigo en la distancia
Amado mio, estoy
Contigo en la Distancia, a song that has been covered by many artists since its creation, expresses a deep bond between two individuals even when they are physically separated. The song tells the story of how the singer's world seems incomplete and different without the person they love. There is not a moment of the day when they can disconnect from their love interest. The lyrics go on to say that the singer cannot find comfort in anything when their love is not around, as they have become an integral part of their soul. The phrase "Contigo en la distancia, amado mío, estoy" translates to "with you in the distance, my beloved, I am." This line emphasizes the idea that even when they are far apart, the singer is always with the one they love.
The beauty of the lyrics lies in the simplicity of how love has transformed the singer's life. The person they love has become their soul, and they cannot function or find any solace in life without them. Every melody and every sound reminds them of their love. The song tells the story of how love can strengthen a bond despite physical distance.
Line by Line Meaning
No existe un momento del dia
There isn't a single moment in the day
En que pueda apartarme de ti
Where I can be away from you
El mundo parece distinto
The world seems different
Cuando no estas junto a mi
When you're not beside me
No hay bella melodia
There isn't a beautiful melody
En que no surgas tu
Where you don't arise
Ni yo quiero escucharla
And I don't want to listen to it
Si no la escuchas tu
If you're not listening to it
Es que te has convertido
It's because you've become
En parte de mi alma
A part of my soul
Ya nada me consuela
Nothing consoles me anymore
Si no estas tu tambien
If you're not there too
Mas alla de tu labios
Beyond your lips
Del sol y las estrellas
Beyond the sun and the stars
Contigo en la distancia
With you in the distance
Amado mio, estoy.
My beloved, I am.
Es que te has convertido
It's because you've become
En parte de mi alma
A part of my soul
Ya nada me consuela
Nothing consoles me anymore
Si no estas tu tambien
If you're not there too
Mas alla de tu labios
Beyond your lips
Del sol y las estrellas
Beyond the sun and the stars
Contigo en la distancia
With you in the distance
Amado mio, estoy.
My beloved, I am.
Writer(s): Cesar Portillo De La Luz
Contributed by Maria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nildamolina8857
Voz inconfundible !!! Romantico y Salsero, como es Puerto Rico !!! Gracias por dejarnos tan bello legado !!
@ralphblack6898
cheo q.e.p.d. gente como usted me haen sentir orgulloso de ser Boricua. un verdadero ejemplo de la humildad de mi gente. Dios lo tenga en la gloria.
@roquico52
Se fue mi tio Cheo,,,te recordaremos siempre...me fascina este disco interpretado por él...
@Sweetyjd98ify
Gracias mi hermoso amor Pedro Perez por dedicarme esta hermosa canción. Aunque hayas pasado a mejor vida, sigues viviendo en mi alma toda la eternidad. Te amo. Pedro y Yeidy amor infinito.
@omarrivera-rouss4019
Como nuestro Cheo Feliciano no hubo ni habrá nadie...... RIP Brother... We Love you..... Always...... God Bless Puerto Rico and the whole world...... Peace.....
@josedirizarry3903
de las mejores canciones de cheo para bailar en una loseta, recuerdos de mi adolecencia en mi pueblo de toa alta y los baile de marquesina
@orlandoaponte572
cheo feliciano gracias por tantas canciones que nos dictes.tu humildad y tu superacion nos llena de orgullo a todos tus fanaticos ejemplo de un senor de pueblo te recordaremos cheo feliciano.
@yexikarperezm3871
Una Voz tan cálida y hermosa no puede dejar de escucharse jamás
@teph_gr
simplemente MAESTRO
SIGUE CANTANDO EN EL CIELO a todos los salseros junto a HÉCTOR
@64jorthom
For me, he was one and will be forever the one!!!