José José (José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, Mexico City, Mexico, February 17, 1948 —… Read Full Bio ↴José José (José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, Mexico City, Mexico, February 17, 1948 — September 28, 2019) was a Mexican singer, musician and occasional actor.
Born into a family of musicians and raised in Mexico City, José began his musical career in his early teens playing guitar and singing in serenades. He later joined a jazz and bossa nova trio where he sang and played bass and double bass. José found success as a solo artist in the early 1970s. Demonstrating his tenor vocal ability with a stunning performance of the song "El Triste" at a Latin music festival held in Mexico City in 1970, he climbed the Latin charts during that decade. Having achieved recognition as a balladeer, his singing garnered universal critical acclaim from musical peers and media.
In the 1980s, after signing with Ariola Records, José rose to international prominence as one of the most popular and talented Latin performers. His 1983 album Secretos has sold over 7 million units. With many international hits, he received several Grammy nominations and recognition worldwide. He sold out in venues such as Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. His music reached non-Spanish-speaking countries like Japan, Israel and Russia. José has also forged a career as an actor, starring in movies such as Gavilán o Paloma and Perdóname Todo.
Also known in the entertainment world as El Príncipe de la Canción (The Prince of Song), his performance and vocal style have influenced many Latin pop artists in a career that has spanned more than four decades.[4][5][6] Because of his vocals and popularity, José José is considered by Latin audience and media as an icon of Latin pop music and one of the most emblematic Mexican singers of his time.
José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz was born on 17 February 1948 in Azcapotzalco, Mexico City. He was raised in a Roman Catholic family of gifted musicians. His father, José Sosa Esquivel, was an operatic tenor (tenor comprimario) and his mother, Margarita Ortiz, was a classical pianist; neither achieved much success. When José showed interest in singing, they tried to discourage him claiming that it was too difficult to be successful in show business. In 1963, when he was fifteen years old, his mother gave him his first piano. In that time, his reportedly alcoholic father abandoned the family forcing José to work to help his mother and younger brother.
In his early teens, José began his attempts to become a singer. He started his career with serenades. Later, he co-founded a bossa nova and jazz trio called Los PEG, in which he sang and played bass and double bass. The band played at Mexico City's major jazz venues where musicians including Dizzy Gillespie, Erroll Garner, Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto used to play.
In 1967, looking for a solo career, he signed a minor contract to produce two singles under the name "Pepe Sosa". As Pepe Sosa he released the songs "El mundo" (Jimmy Fontana's "Il Mondo") and "Ma Vie" without success. José returned to serenades and playing with Los PEG in night clubs. He left Los PEG, and took the artistic name "José José" in honor of his father, who had recently died of alcoholism. He joined his first name "José" with his father's first name - also José - from whom he says he inherited his voice. He signed a contract with RCA Victor and recorded his first album: José José (also known as Cuidado). The album featured songs by Rubén Fuentes and Armando Manzanero. It was arranged by Mario Patrón, who was considered the best jazz musician of Mexico, and employed Brazilian percussionist Mayuto Correa, who was in Mexico City playing with bossa nova stars João Gilberto, Carlos Lira, Leny Andrade and Tamba Trio. The album's sound is a combination of boleros and romantic ballads with a jazz and bossa nova influence. The quality of his debut album garnered praise from critics but did not achieve much popular success.
By the late 1960s his fame increased as he was featured on several TV shows performing his songs live. With songs such as "Una mañana" and "Cuidado", José started to get attention from the Mexican audience and media.
In early 1970 he released the song "La nave del olvido" which became his first big hit in Mexico and Latin America, and recorded his second album: La Nave Del Olvido. José's big break came on March 15, 1970, when he represented Mexico in the international song festival the II Festival de la Canción Latina (Latin Song Festival II, predecessor of the OTI Festival) with a performance of the song "El Triste". He received standing ovations and cheers from Angélica María, Alberto Vázquez, Marco Antonio Muñiz, the judges and the audience in the Teatro Ferrocarrilero in Mexico City. José José finished in third place which shocked the audience. Thanks to "El Triste", his popular romantic ballad style mixed with a unique voice made him a major star in Mexico. His first international tour included Los Angeles, Miami, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil and Argentina. He played leading roles in such minor films as Sueño de amor and La carrera del millón. José performed concerts at the Hollywood Palladium and the Hollywood Bowl.
During the early 1970s, José José became one of the best known romantic ballad singers in Latin America. He was featured constantly on popular Mexican television shows, where he shared stage with icons of the Hispanic music scene such as Marco Antonio Muñiz, Pedro Vargas and Carlos Lico among others. In 1974, he performed at the Casino Royale & Hotel in Las Vegas.
He had many international hits and toured Latin America several times during the early to mid-1970s. His main hits were: "Del altar a la tumba", "Buscando una sonrisa", "De pueblo en pueblo", "Soy como quieras tú" (Mina's "Sono, come tu mi vuoi"), "Cuando tu me quieras", "Hasta que vuelvas", "Candilejas" (Charles Chaplin's "Terry's Theme"), "Paloma 'Cada mañana que te vas'", "Sentimientos", "Vive", "Dejame conocerte" (Paul Anka's "Let Me Get To Know You"), "Divina Ilusión" and "Sabrás que te quiero". "El Príncipe" (The Prince) is the song that earned him the nickname El Príncipe de la canción (The Prince of Song).
In 1977, José signed with Ariola Records (today part of Sony BMG) and recorded Reencuentro in London. The album's main hits " El amar y el querer" and "Gavilán o paloma" garnered universal acclaim and increased his popularity. Between 1978 and 1980, he achieved great success with the albums Volcán, Lo Pasado, Pasado and Si Me Dejas Ahora. The main hits from these were: "O tú o yo", "Farolero", "Volcán", "Lo que un dia fué no será", "Lo pasado, pasado", "Si me dejas ahora", "Te quiero tal como eres" and "Almohada".
In 1980, José released the album Amor Amor, recorded in Los Angeles. Singles released from it included: "Insaciable amante", "No me digas que te vas", "Amor Amor" and the classic bolero "No me platiques mas". He later recorded Romántico. On this album, he recorded classic boleros with a touch of romantic ballad, bringing some bolero songs back to mainstream. In 1981 Gracias was released. The songs "Me basta" and "Preso" were its main hits. José released the highly successful Mi Vida in 1982. The album featured the hits: "Desesperado" and "Mi vida" (an autobiographic song written by his future partner Rafael Pérez-Botija). José co-produced his albums and wrote songs like "Si alguna vez" and "Amor para los dos". He did a duet with Lani Hall on the hit "Te quiero así". José's performance was sold-out for seven days in a row at the National Auditorium and a month in the popular night club El Patio. He recorded the Spanish version of the hit "New York, New York", as a tribute to Frank Sinatra.
In 1983, José released what proved to be by far the biggest album of his career: Secretos. It was written and produced by Manuel Alejandro and recorded in Spain. This was also his first album with a music video produced for each song. Its main hits were: "Lo dudo", "El amor acaba", "Lagrimas", "He renunciado a ti", and "A esa". Secretos was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the Grammy Awards of 1985. It has sold over 7 million copies. Following the release of Secretos, José continued the international success. He released Reflexiones in 1984. The album was written, produced and arranged by Rafael Pérez-Botija. The songs: "Payaso", "Seré", "Tu ganas", "De hombre a hombre", and "¿Y qué?" were the main hits. Reflexiones sold over 2 million copies worldwide, became his first number- one on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums, and was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the 1986 Grammy Awards. Later, José José joined José Feliciano to release a duet that became a major hit for both: "Por ella". The song was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the 1986 Grammy.
In 1985, José José along with performers such as Plácido Domingo, Julio Iglesias, Roberto Carlos, José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma", Pedro Vargas and Vicente Fernández sang "Cantaré, cantarás". It was recorded in Los Angeles in April 1985 at the A&M Studios, the same studio used for "We Are The World". The same year, José starred in his autobiographic film Gavilán o Paloma, alongside Christian Bach and the comedian Jorge Ortiz de Pinedo. Later that year, he released the album Promesas, written, produced and arranged by Pérez-Botija. Its main hits were "Amantes", "Me vas a echar de menos", "Más", and "Tú me estás volviendo loco". The single "Pruébame" was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance at the 1987 Grammy Awards. Promesas became his second number-one album on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums. He received two Billboard awards: Top Latin Artist and Top Latin Album of 1985. On his next album Siempre Contigo in 1986 he worked with the Spanish producer and guitarist Paco Cepero. The songs: "Corre y ve con él", "Sin saber" and "¿Y Quién Puede Ser?" were its main hits. It was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the Grammy Awards of 1988 and became his third number-one album on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums chart.
In 1987, he released Soy Así, again written and produced by Rafael Pérez-Botija. It was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the 1989 Grammy Awards and became his fourth number-one album on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums. Soy Así included four successful singles: the title track reached the number-one position on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart while "Mi Hembra" peaked at number five, "Salúdamela Mucho" reached number 22, and "Vergüenza Me Da Quererte" reached number 8.
During the 1980s, José José sold out Madison Square Garden, The Dunes and performed several sessions at the Las Vegas Hilton, Greek Theatre, Gibson Amphitheatre and the Tropicana Casino and Resort Atlantic City among others. He was referred to as Mexico's Top Singer in advertising for his shows. On 20 August 1988, he sold out Radio City Music Hall. That same year, José traveled to Israel and performed in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In 1988, he played the role of the Mexican singer and composer Álvaro Carrillo in the movie Sabor A Mí, co-starring Angelica Aragón. In 1989, José sold out two massive concerts at the Plaza México, gathering over 100,000 people. The album ¿Qué Es El Amor? included the hit singles "Piel de azucar" and "Como Tú", and José reached to the top of popularity lists. The single "Como tú" spent ten weeks at number-one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.
In 1990, Raúl Velasco made a special TV show to celebrate José's 25th career anniversary. The show, broadcast by Televisa, lasted over five hours and featured special guests such as Armando Manzanero, Libertad Lamarque, Vicente Fernández and Marco Antonio Muñiz. In 1990, he released the hit "Amnesia" of the album En las Buenas... y en las Malas. The single lasted 21 weeks on the charts and peaked at number-one on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks, while his next single "Atrapado", spent 16 weeks and peaked at number 7. In 1992, he released another hit: "40 y 20". From the same titled album, the song speaks about men who fall in love with women that are much younger than them and the reaction of the society to those situations. "40 y 20" lasted over 17 weeks on the charts and peaked at number four. His next single "Eso no más", spent 15 weeks and peaked at number five.
By the early 1990s, José's vocals began to deteriorate. It worsened over time and became evident in his live performances. His excessive drinking and unceasing activity of his career caused his voice to falter.
On August 1993, to commemorate the allegedly 30th anniversary of José's career, BMG hosted a tribute in the city of Puerto Vallarta. It was called 30 Años de ser el Príncipe (30 years of being the Prince). The tribute included some of the most prestigious artists of Spanish music such as Rocío Dúrcal, Camilo Sesto, Armando Manzanero, Marco Antonio Muñiz and Raúl di Blasio. The tribute coincided with his recent divorce, a serious relapse into alcoholism and a significant loss of vocal abilities. He appeared to be in poor physical shape, too thin and lacking energy. Camilo Sesto even took a break in the middle of the presentation to speak words of encouragement. The album was not released until 1994. At that time, José suffered the worst stage of alcoholism of his life. During 1993, he retired from the stage and went into rehab. Upon completion of his rehabilitation, he started seasons in places like the famous "Teatro Blanquita" of Mexico City, and the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, among others.
In 1994, after the success achieved a decade before with Secretos, José re-teamed with Manuel Alejandro and released the album Grandeza Mexicana. The title track peaked at number 12 on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks and spent over seven weeks on the charts. He did a duet with his son José Joél in the song "La fuerza de la sangre", second single of the album. In 1995, he played the lead role in the movie Perdóname Todo, a drama about an alcoholic has-been and how he tries to survive against himself and the music business. That same year, his album "Mujeriego" was released. It sold more than 180,000 copies in its first two weeks and reached number 12 on the Billboard Latin charts. The song "Llora corazón" lasted 11 weeks on the charts and peaked at number 6, while the second single, the title track, spent only two weeks on the charts. On 9 May 1996, "Llora corazón" was nominated for Pop Song of the Year in the Lo Nuestro Awards.
In 1996, he performed a duet with Paul Anka on "Déjame Conocerte (Let me Get to Know You)" from Anka's Latin album Amigos. In 1997, he performed at the Bally's Atlantic City.[30] His last album of the decade, Distancia, was released in 1998. A video of the single "Ojala que te mueras" was released. On September 1999, he joined fellow countrymen Armando Manzanero, Marco Antonio Muñiz and Argentine pianist Raúl di Blasio for a series of concerts dubbed "Noche Bohemia" (Bohemian Night) at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.
In 2001, with a deteriorating voice he recorded Tenampa. It was his first studio album with mariachi and the last one of his career. It was written and produced completely by Juan Gabriel. The single "Cada vez y cada vez" lasted two weeks on the charts. Tenampa received poor reviews and sold only about 500,000 units. After that, he retired from recording full-length albums. His vocal problems worsened, affecting not only his ability to sing, but also to speak. In 2003, BMG released a collection of three albums entitled El Principe Con Trio with some of his greatest hits recorded between 1969 and 1983, separated from the original accompaniment, remastered and accompanied by the guitar trio "Los Tres Caballeros", transforming them into boleros. The technical work was overseen by José's long-time colleague Rafael Pérez Botija, who also directed and composed some of the original recordings. This collection of concept albums was a sales success.
In the mid-2000s, José appeared briefly as the Mystery Musician in the American movie Sueño and played the role of Erasmo Padilla (the father of Leticia "Lety" Padilla) in La Fea Más Bella, a successful Mexican version of the Colombian production Betty la Fea (adapted in the US as Ugly Betty). In 2006, José participated as a vocal coach in Televisa's hit show, Cantando por un sueño. In 2007, he won a TVyNovelas Award for best supporting actor for his work in La Fea Más Bella.
José released Mis Duetos in 2007, an album featuring duets he recorded in the past. However, it featured two new songs, "E-mail me" with his youngest daughter Sara, and "Aunque vivas con él" with pop singer Reyli. In 2008, José recorded an emotive song called "Volver a creer" ("Believe Again") with Yanni. The song is included on the album Yanni Voces. Yanni stated that he wanted to "help a true legend to fulfill his dream, to sing again". José José was invited by Yanni to sing their song live on Yanni's tour in Mexico. He published his autobiography Esta es mi vida (This is My Life).
In 2010, he released José José Ranchero, another concept album with some of his greatest hits, separated from the original accompaniment, remastered and accompanied with mariachi, giving his classics a traditional Mexican sound. The same year, José launched his own perfume, called simply "José José", the profits from sales help women and children sick with HIV/AIDS.
José was planning a new, untitled album, adding that it would consist of nine unreleased tracks and a melody he used to sing in serenades "Que viva mi tristeza", from songwriter Armando Manzanero. It was never completed due to his vocal problems. In 2011, he went on the short Mexican tour "José José y sus amigos" (José José and friends), with singers Dulce, Carlos Cuevas, Celso Piña, and Chamin Correa.
Throughout his career, José José has been very open about his personal life with the press and his audience. He constantly grants interviews and answers questions about his family, friends, alcoholism, financial problems, health issues, and other subjects.
In 1970 he started a relationship with TV hostess, actress, and model Ana Elena Noreña, known in show business as Anel. That year they split and he married Natalia "Kiki" Herrera Calles, a socialite twenty years older. He separated from Herrera and returned to Anel shortly after. He divorced Herrera in 1975 and married Anel in 1976. They had two children: their first-born José Francisco (known as José Joél) who was born in 1975, and their daughter Marysol Estrella, born in 1982.
José told Selecciones magazine that from 1985 to 1987, he underwent a serious personal crisis because his life "was spent on airplanes, tour buses and locked in a hotel room". In 1991 he divorced Anel. Several years before he finished his partnership with his manager Manuel Noreña, Anel's brother. In 1995 he married Sara Salazar, his third wife. The same year during a Latin American tour, his third child Sara was born. He lived in Miami, Florida with his wife.
José said that he started drinking at the age of fifteen, when his father (an alcoholic) left home.[43] As a result of his alcoholism, he developed a cocaine habit.
He stated that his addiction was because he "was frail, weak, innocent, ignorant, weak-willed and did not know how to say no". In the early 1970s, after the success of "El Triste", he fell into alcoholism but with help of his friends and family he managed to stop drinking for a while. His ongoing battle against alcoholism continued during the 1970s and 1980s. He attended AA meetings and stopped drinking for periods of time, but fell steadily into the addiction. After his divorce from Anel in 1991 he reached his lowest point, reportedly declaring that he wanted to die drinking. With the help of his friends, family and fellow artists, he decided to go to rehab. He went to the Hazelden clinic in Minnesota for rehab and remains a sober recovering alcoholic.
José suffered from a severe case of pneumonia in 1972 and his thoracic diaphragm was paralyzed. The disease almost ended his career. He recovered after months of therapy involving breathing exercises. One of his lungs was permanently damaged.
In 1987 he underwent an operation at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to remove nodes in his vocal fold as a consequence of the excessive use of cortisone before singing, alcohol use, and the lack of rest after many of his performances. José would suffer dire consequences from his problem with alcoholism, as his health faltered dearly during the 1990s. He developed diabetes.
In 2001, he suffered from a case of emphysema.[45] The effects of alcoholism, the abuse of cortisone, and his hiatus hernia have not only affected his ability to sing but also to talk. In 2007, he suffered from Bell's palsy. As a result of all these problems, he has fought a serious depression in recent years. He acknowledged this during an interview on the Univision program Don Francisco Presenta..., hosted by Don Francisco. He struggled with diabetic retinopathy in one of his eyes undergoing a successful operation. In 2012, he underwent a stomach surgery due to gastritis. In November 2013, he underwent an operation to remove cataracts from one of his eyes.
José has made his current financial problems public. Despite being one of the most recognized Latin artists for decades, his alcoholism caused him serious monetary loss. His career declined when he lost his vocal ability, stopping income from live performances. He claims that during his career he was constantly defrauded by people close to him, including his former wife Anel and her brother. On November 2008, his current wife suffered from a cerebral haemorrhage, José stated that the medical bills nearly caused him to go bankrupt. He told TV Notas magazine that he and his family live "day by day" and in 2014, he sold his five-million-dollar house in Coral Gables, Florida and moved to an apartment in Miami.
In March 2017, he announced that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
On 28 September 2019, José José died of the cancer on Miami, Florida at the age of 71.
Born into a family of musicians and raised in Mexico City, José began his musical career in his early teens playing guitar and singing in serenades. He later joined a jazz and bossa nova trio where he sang and played bass and double bass. José found success as a solo artist in the early 1970s. Demonstrating his tenor vocal ability with a stunning performance of the song "El Triste" at a Latin music festival held in Mexico City in 1970, he climbed the Latin charts during that decade. Having achieved recognition as a balladeer, his singing garnered universal critical acclaim from musical peers and media.
In the 1980s, after signing with Ariola Records, José rose to international prominence as one of the most popular and talented Latin performers. His 1983 album Secretos has sold over 7 million units. With many international hits, he received several Grammy nominations and recognition worldwide. He sold out in venues such as Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. His music reached non-Spanish-speaking countries like Japan, Israel and Russia. José has also forged a career as an actor, starring in movies such as Gavilán o Paloma and Perdóname Todo.
Also known in the entertainment world as El Príncipe de la Canción (The Prince of Song), his performance and vocal style have influenced many Latin pop artists in a career that has spanned more than four decades.[4][5][6] Because of his vocals and popularity, José José is considered by Latin audience and media as an icon of Latin pop music and one of the most emblematic Mexican singers of his time.
José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz was born on 17 February 1948 in Azcapotzalco, Mexico City. He was raised in a Roman Catholic family of gifted musicians. His father, José Sosa Esquivel, was an operatic tenor (tenor comprimario) and his mother, Margarita Ortiz, was a classical pianist; neither achieved much success. When José showed interest in singing, they tried to discourage him claiming that it was too difficult to be successful in show business. In 1963, when he was fifteen years old, his mother gave him his first piano. In that time, his reportedly alcoholic father abandoned the family forcing José to work to help his mother and younger brother.
In his early teens, José began his attempts to become a singer. He started his career with serenades. Later, he co-founded a bossa nova and jazz trio called Los PEG, in which he sang and played bass and double bass. The band played at Mexico City's major jazz venues where musicians including Dizzy Gillespie, Erroll Garner, Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto used to play.
In 1967, looking for a solo career, he signed a minor contract to produce two singles under the name "Pepe Sosa". As Pepe Sosa he released the songs "El mundo" (Jimmy Fontana's "Il Mondo") and "Ma Vie" without success. José returned to serenades and playing with Los PEG in night clubs. He left Los PEG, and took the artistic name "José José" in honor of his father, who had recently died of alcoholism. He joined his first name "José" with his father's first name - also José - from whom he says he inherited his voice. He signed a contract with RCA Victor and recorded his first album: José José (also known as Cuidado). The album featured songs by Rubén Fuentes and Armando Manzanero. It was arranged by Mario Patrón, who was considered the best jazz musician of Mexico, and employed Brazilian percussionist Mayuto Correa, who was in Mexico City playing with bossa nova stars João Gilberto, Carlos Lira, Leny Andrade and Tamba Trio. The album's sound is a combination of boleros and romantic ballads with a jazz and bossa nova influence. The quality of his debut album garnered praise from critics but did not achieve much popular success.
By the late 1960s his fame increased as he was featured on several TV shows performing his songs live. With songs such as "Una mañana" and "Cuidado", José started to get attention from the Mexican audience and media.
In early 1970 he released the song "La nave del olvido" which became his first big hit in Mexico and Latin America, and recorded his second album: La Nave Del Olvido. José's big break came on March 15, 1970, when he represented Mexico in the international song festival the II Festival de la Canción Latina (Latin Song Festival II, predecessor of the OTI Festival) with a performance of the song "El Triste". He received standing ovations and cheers from Angélica María, Alberto Vázquez, Marco Antonio Muñiz, the judges and the audience in the Teatro Ferrocarrilero in Mexico City. José José finished in third place which shocked the audience. Thanks to "El Triste", his popular romantic ballad style mixed with a unique voice made him a major star in Mexico. His first international tour included Los Angeles, Miami, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil and Argentina. He played leading roles in such minor films as Sueño de amor and La carrera del millón. José performed concerts at the Hollywood Palladium and the Hollywood Bowl.
During the early 1970s, José José became one of the best known romantic ballad singers in Latin America. He was featured constantly on popular Mexican television shows, where he shared stage with icons of the Hispanic music scene such as Marco Antonio Muñiz, Pedro Vargas and Carlos Lico among others. In 1974, he performed at the Casino Royale & Hotel in Las Vegas.
He had many international hits and toured Latin America several times during the early to mid-1970s. His main hits were: "Del altar a la tumba", "Buscando una sonrisa", "De pueblo en pueblo", "Soy como quieras tú" (Mina's "Sono, come tu mi vuoi"), "Cuando tu me quieras", "Hasta que vuelvas", "Candilejas" (Charles Chaplin's "Terry's Theme"), "Paloma 'Cada mañana que te vas'", "Sentimientos", "Vive", "Dejame conocerte" (Paul Anka's "Let Me Get To Know You"), "Divina Ilusión" and "Sabrás que te quiero". "El Príncipe" (The Prince) is the song that earned him the nickname El Príncipe de la canción (The Prince of Song).
In 1977, José signed with Ariola Records (today part of Sony BMG) and recorded Reencuentro in London. The album's main hits " El amar y el querer" and "Gavilán o paloma" garnered universal acclaim and increased his popularity. Between 1978 and 1980, he achieved great success with the albums Volcán, Lo Pasado, Pasado and Si Me Dejas Ahora. The main hits from these were: "O tú o yo", "Farolero", "Volcán", "Lo que un dia fué no será", "Lo pasado, pasado", "Si me dejas ahora", "Te quiero tal como eres" and "Almohada".
In 1980, José released the album Amor Amor, recorded in Los Angeles. Singles released from it included: "Insaciable amante", "No me digas que te vas", "Amor Amor" and the classic bolero "No me platiques mas". He later recorded Romántico. On this album, he recorded classic boleros with a touch of romantic ballad, bringing some bolero songs back to mainstream. In 1981 Gracias was released. The songs "Me basta" and "Preso" were its main hits. José released the highly successful Mi Vida in 1982. The album featured the hits: "Desesperado" and "Mi vida" (an autobiographic song written by his future partner Rafael Pérez-Botija). José co-produced his albums and wrote songs like "Si alguna vez" and "Amor para los dos". He did a duet with Lani Hall on the hit "Te quiero así". José's performance was sold-out for seven days in a row at the National Auditorium and a month in the popular night club El Patio. He recorded the Spanish version of the hit "New York, New York", as a tribute to Frank Sinatra.
In 1983, José released what proved to be by far the biggest album of his career: Secretos. It was written and produced by Manuel Alejandro and recorded in Spain. This was also his first album with a music video produced for each song. Its main hits were: "Lo dudo", "El amor acaba", "Lagrimas", "He renunciado a ti", and "A esa". Secretos was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the Grammy Awards of 1985. It has sold over 7 million copies. Following the release of Secretos, José continued the international success. He released Reflexiones in 1984. The album was written, produced and arranged by Rafael Pérez-Botija. The songs: "Payaso", "Seré", "Tu ganas", "De hombre a hombre", and "¿Y qué?" were the main hits. Reflexiones sold over 2 million copies worldwide, became his first number- one on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums, and was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the 1986 Grammy Awards. Later, José José joined José Feliciano to release a duet that became a major hit for both: "Por ella". The song was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the 1986 Grammy.
In 1985, José José along with performers such as Plácido Domingo, Julio Iglesias, Roberto Carlos, José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma", Pedro Vargas and Vicente Fernández sang "Cantaré, cantarás". It was recorded in Los Angeles in April 1985 at the A&M Studios, the same studio used for "We Are The World". The same year, José starred in his autobiographic film Gavilán o Paloma, alongside Christian Bach and the comedian Jorge Ortiz de Pinedo. Later that year, he released the album Promesas, written, produced and arranged by Pérez-Botija. Its main hits were "Amantes", "Me vas a echar de menos", "Más", and "Tú me estás volviendo loco". The single "Pruébame" was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance at the 1987 Grammy Awards. Promesas became his second number-one album on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums. He received two Billboard awards: Top Latin Artist and Top Latin Album of 1985. On his next album Siempre Contigo in 1986 he worked with the Spanish producer and guitarist Paco Cepero. The songs: "Corre y ve con él", "Sin saber" and "¿Y Quién Puede Ser?" were its main hits. It was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the Grammy Awards of 1988 and became his third number-one album on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums chart.
In 1987, he released Soy Así, again written and produced by Rafael Pérez-Botija. It was nominated for Best Latin Pop Performance in the 1989 Grammy Awards and became his fourth number-one album on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums. Soy Así included four successful singles: the title track reached the number-one position on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart while "Mi Hembra" peaked at number five, "Salúdamela Mucho" reached number 22, and "Vergüenza Me Da Quererte" reached number 8.
During the 1980s, José José sold out Madison Square Garden, The Dunes and performed several sessions at the Las Vegas Hilton, Greek Theatre, Gibson Amphitheatre and the Tropicana Casino and Resort Atlantic City among others. He was referred to as Mexico's Top Singer in advertising for his shows. On 20 August 1988, he sold out Radio City Music Hall. That same year, José traveled to Israel and performed in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In 1988, he played the role of the Mexican singer and composer Álvaro Carrillo in the movie Sabor A Mí, co-starring Angelica Aragón. In 1989, José sold out two massive concerts at the Plaza México, gathering over 100,000 people. The album ¿Qué Es El Amor? included the hit singles "Piel de azucar" and "Como Tú", and José reached to the top of popularity lists. The single "Como tú" spent ten weeks at number-one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.
In 1990, Raúl Velasco made a special TV show to celebrate José's 25th career anniversary. The show, broadcast by Televisa, lasted over five hours and featured special guests such as Armando Manzanero, Libertad Lamarque, Vicente Fernández and Marco Antonio Muñiz. In 1990, he released the hit "Amnesia" of the album En las Buenas... y en las Malas. The single lasted 21 weeks on the charts and peaked at number-one on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks, while his next single "Atrapado", spent 16 weeks and peaked at number 7. In 1992, he released another hit: "40 y 20". From the same titled album, the song speaks about men who fall in love with women that are much younger than them and the reaction of the society to those situations. "40 y 20" lasted over 17 weeks on the charts and peaked at number four. His next single "Eso no más", spent 15 weeks and peaked at number five.
By the early 1990s, José's vocals began to deteriorate. It worsened over time and became evident in his live performances. His excessive drinking and unceasing activity of his career caused his voice to falter.
On August 1993, to commemorate the allegedly 30th anniversary of José's career, BMG hosted a tribute in the city of Puerto Vallarta. It was called 30 Años de ser el Príncipe (30 years of being the Prince). The tribute included some of the most prestigious artists of Spanish music such as Rocío Dúrcal, Camilo Sesto, Armando Manzanero, Marco Antonio Muñiz and Raúl di Blasio. The tribute coincided with his recent divorce, a serious relapse into alcoholism and a significant loss of vocal abilities. He appeared to be in poor physical shape, too thin and lacking energy. Camilo Sesto even took a break in the middle of the presentation to speak words of encouragement. The album was not released until 1994. At that time, José suffered the worst stage of alcoholism of his life. During 1993, he retired from the stage and went into rehab. Upon completion of his rehabilitation, he started seasons in places like the famous "Teatro Blanquita" of Mexico City, and the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, among others.
In 1994, after the success achieved a decade before with Secretos, José re-teamed with Manuel Alejandro and released the album Grandeza Mexicana. The title track peaked at number 12 on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks and spent over seven weeks on the charts. He did a duet with his son José Joél in the song "La fuerza de la sangre", second single of the album. In 1995, he played the lead role in the movie Perdóname Todo, a drama about an alcoholic has-been and how he tries to survive against himself and the music business. That same year, his album "Mujeriego" was released. It sold more than 180,000 copies in its first two weeks and reached number 12 on the Billboard Latin charts. The song "Llora corazón" lasted 11 weeks on the charts and peaked at number 6, while the second single, the title track, spent only two weeks on the charts. On 9 May 1996, "Llora corazón" was nominated for Pop Song of the Year in the Lo Nuestro Awards.
In 1996, he performed a duet with Paul Anka on "Déjame Conocerte (Let me Get to Know You)" from Anka's Latin album Amigos. In 1997, he performed at the Bally's Atlantic City.[30] His last album of the decade, Distancia, was released in 1998. A video of the single "Ojala que te mueras" was released. On September 1999, he joined fellow countrymen Armando Manzanero, Marco Antonio Muñiz and Argentine pianist Raúl di Blasio for a series of concerts dubbed "Noche Bohemia" (Bohemian Night) at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.
In 2001, with a deteriorating voice he recorded Tenampa. It was his first studio album with mariachi and the last one of his career. It was written and produced completely by Juan Gabriel. The single "Cada vez y cada vez" lasted two weeks on the charts. Tenampa received poor reviews and sold only about 500,000 units. After that, he retired from recording full-length albums. His vocal problems worsened, affecting not only his ability to sing, but also to speak. In 2003, BMG released a collection of three albums entitled El Principe Con Trio with some of his greatest hits recorded between 1969 and 1983, separated from the original accompaniment, remastered and accompanied by the guitar trio "Los Tres Caballeros", transforming them into boleros. The technical work was overseen by José's long-time colleague Rafael Pérez Botija, who also directed and composed some of the original recordings. This collection of concept albums was a sales success.
In the mid-2000s, José appeared briefly as the Mystery Musician in the American movie Sueño and played the role of Erasmo Padilla (the father of Leticia "Lety" Padilla) in La Fea Más Bella, a successful Mexican version of the Colombian production Betty la Fea (adapted in the US as Ugly Betty). In 2006, José participated as a vocal coach in Televisa's hit show, Cantando por un sueño. In 2007, he won a TVyNovelas Award for best supporting actor for his work in La Fea Más Bella.
José released Mis Duetos in 2007, an album featuring duets he recorded in the past. However, it featured two new songs, "E-mail me" with his youngest daughter Sara, and "Aunque vivas con él" with pop singer Reyli. In 2008, José recorded an emotive song called "Volver a creer" ("Believe Again") with Yanni. The song is included on the album Yanni Voces. Yanni stated that he wanted to "help a true legend to fulfill his dream, to sing again". José José was invited by Yanni to sing their song live on Yanni's tour in Mexico. He published his autobiography Esta es mi vida (This is My Life).
In 2010, he released José José Ranchero, another concept album with some of his greatest hits, separated from the original accompaniment, remastered and accompanied with mariachi, giving his classics a traditional Mexican sound. The same year, José launched his own perfume, called simply "José José", the profits from sales help women and children sick with HIV/AIDS.
José was planning a new, untitled album, adding that it would consist of nine unreleased tracks and a melody he used to sing in serenades "Que viva mi tristeza", from songwriter Armando Manzanero. It was never completed due to his vocal problems. In 2011, he went on the short Mexican tour "José José y sus amigos" (José José and friends), with singers Dulce, Carlos Cuevas, Celso Piña, and Chamin Correa.
Throughout his career, José José has been very open about his personal life with the press and his audience. He constantly grants interviews and answers questions about his family, friends, alcoholism, financial problems, health issues, and other subjects.
In 1970 he started a relationship with TV hostess, actress, and model Ana Elena Noreña, known in show business as Anel. That year they split and he married Natalia "Kiki" Herrera Calles, a socialite twenty years older. He separated from Herrera and returned to Anel shortly after. He divorced Herrera in 1975 and married Anel in 1976. They had two children: their first-born José Francisco (known as José Joél) who was born in 1975, and their daughter Marysol Estrella, born in 1982.
José told Selecciones magazine that from 1985 to 1987, he underwent a serious personal crisis because his life "was spent on airplanes, tour buses and locked in a hotel room". In 1991 he divorced Anel. Several years before he finished his partnership with his manager Manuel Noreña, Anel's brother. In 1995 he married Sara Salazar, his third wife. The same year during a Latin American tour, his third child Sara was born. He lived in Miami, Florida with his wife.
José said that he started drinking at the age of fifteen, when his father (an alcoholic) left home.[43] As a result of his alcoholism, he developed a cocaine habit.
He stated that his addiction was because he "was frail, weak, innocent, ignorant, weak-willed and did not know how to say no". In the early 1970s, after the success of "El Triste", he fell into alcoholism but with help of his friends and family he managed to stop drinking for a while. His ongoing battle against alcoholism continued during the 1970s and 1980s. He attended AA meetings and stopped drinking for periods of time, but fell steadily into the addiction. After his divorce from Anel in 1991 he reached his lowest point, reportedly declaring that he wanted to die drinking. With the help of his friends, family and fellow artists, he decided to go to rehab. He went to the Hazelden clinic in Minnesota for rehab and remains a sober recovering alcoholic.
José suffered from a severe case of pneumonia in 1972 and his thoracic diaphragm was paralyzed. The disease almost ended his career. He recovered after months of therapy involving breathing exercises. One of his lungs was permanently damaged.
In 1987 he underwent an operation at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to remove nodes in his vocal fold as a consequence of the excessive use of cortisone before singing, alcohol use, and the lack of rest after many of his performances. José would suffer dire consequences from his problem with alcoholism, as his health faltered dearly during the 1990s. He developed diabetes.
In 2001, he suffered from a case of emphysema.[45] The effects of alcoholism, the abuse of cortisone, and his hiatus hernia have not only affected his ability to sing but also to talk. In 2007, he suffered from Bell's palsy. As a result of all these problems, he has fought a serious depression in recent years. He acknowledged this during an interview on the Univision program Don Francisco Presenta..., hosted by Don Francisco. He struggled with diabetic retinopathy in one of his eyes undergoing a successful operation. In 2012, he underwent a stomach surgery due to gastritis. In November 2013, he underwent an operation to remove cataracts from one of his eyes.
José has made his current financial problems public. Despite being one of the most recognized Latin artists for decades, his alcoholism caused him serious monetary loss. His career declined when he lost his vocal ability, stopping income from live performances. He claims that during his career he was constantly defrauded by people close to him, including his former wife Anel and her brother. On November 2008, his current wife suffered from a cerebral haemorrhage, José stated that the medical bills nearly caused him to go bankrupt. He told TV Notas magazine that he and his family live "day by day" and in 2014, he sold his five-million-dollar house in Coral Gables, Florida and moved to an apartment in Miami.
In March 2017, he announced that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
On 28 September 2019, José José died of the cancer on Miami, Florida at the age of 71.
Y Qué
José José Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Es que vamos a amarnos siempre así
Con prisa y escondiéndonos o nada
Amor esto es hacer a un pájaro volar
Con las alas atadas
Por qué no olvidar el qué dirán
Y lucir nuestro amor por todo el mundo
Amantes de verdad y si se han de enterar
Que se enteren y punto
¿Y qué?
Si nos llaman de todo ¿y qué?
Si nos juzgan o no ¿y qué?
Aquí solo contamos tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos cierran las puertas ¿y qué?
Si nos culpan o no ¿y qué?
Si vivimos felices tú y yo
Tú piensas que exagero, ¿no es verdad?
Con hacer el amor estoy servido pues créeme que no
Que me siento gorrión
Con el nido vacío
Por qué tenerles miedo a los demás
Vayámonos besando por las calles
Que sepan la verdad y si es que van a hablar
Adelante, que hablen
¿Y qué?
Si nos llaman de todo ¿y qué?
Si nos juzgan o no ¿y qué?
Aquí solo contamos tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos cierran las puertas ¿y qué?
Si nos culpan o no ¿y qué?
Si vivimos felices tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos llaman de todo ¿y qué?
Si nos juzgan o no ¿y qué?
Aquí solo contamos tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos cierran las puertas ¿y qué?
Si nos culpan o no ¿y qué?
Si vivimos felices tú y yo
Con prisa y escondiéndonos o nada
Amor esto es hacer a un pájaro volar
Con las alas atadas
Por qué no olvidar el qué dirán
Y lucir nuestro amor por todo el mundo
Amantes de verdad y si se han de enterar
Que se enteren y punto
¿Y qué?
Si nos llaman de todo ¿y qué?
Si nos juzgan o no ¿y qué?
Aquí solo contamos tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos cierran las puertas ¿y qué?
Si nos culpan o no ¿y qué?
Si vivimos felices tú y yo
Tú piensas que exagero, ¿no es verdad?
Con hacer el amor estoy servido pues créeme que no
Que me siento gorrión
Con el nido vacío
Por qué tenerles miedo a los demás
Vayámonos besando por las calles
Que sepan la verdad y si es que van a hablar
Adelante, que hablen
¿Y qué?
Si nos llaman de todo ¿y qué?
Si nos juzgan o no ¿y qué?
Aquí solo contamos tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos cierran las puertas ¿y qué?
Si nos culpan o no ¿y qué?
Si vivimos felices tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos llaman de todo ¿y qué?
Si nos juzgan o no ¿y qué?
Aquí solo contamos tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos cierran las puertas ¿y qué?
Si nos culpan o no ¿y qué?
Si vivimos felices tú y yo
The lyrics to José José's song Y Que speak about the power and importance of love, and the need to embrace it authentically without worrying about what others may say or think. The song starts by describing a love that is always going to be intense, rushed, and intense, but also secretive and hidden, or nothing at all. The singer then uses the metaphor of a bird with bound wings to explain that true love sets the soul free, and there is no shame in expressing it openly.
The chorus repeats the phrase "¿Y qué?" which translates to "So what?" or "What does it matter?" The singer questions the importance of the opinions and judgments of society, and stresses that love is all that counts. They acknowledge that people may call them names or judge them, but ultimately, they only answer to each other. The song ends with a call to show affection in public and to let people talk, for they have nothing to fear as long as they are happy together.
Overall, Y Que is a powerful anthem for those who have faced criticism or discrimination for their romantic choices. It urges listeners to be authentic and to love fearlessly, unencumbered by the opinions of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Es que vamos a amarnos siempre así
We will love each other like this forever
Con prisa y escondiéndonos o nada
We will love each other urgently and secretly or not at all
Amor esto es hacer a un pájaro volar
Our love makes a bird fly with its wings tied
Por qué no olvidar el qué dirán
Why care about what others say
Y lucir nuestro amor por todo el mundo
Let's show our love to the world
Amantes de verdad y si se han de enterar
We are true lovers and if others find out
Que se enteren y punto
Let them find out, who cares
Si nos llaman de todo ¿y qué?
If they call us all names, who cares
Si nos juzgan o no ¿y qué?
If they judge us or not, who cares
Aquí solo contamos tú y yo
Here, only you and I matter
Si nos cierran las puertas ¿y qué?
If they shut doors on us, who cares
Si nos culpan o no ¿y qué?
If they blame us or not, who cares
Si vivimos felices tú y yo
As long as we are happy together
Tú piensas que exagero, ¿no es verdad?
You think I'm exaggerating, don't you?
Con hacer el amor estoy servido pues créeme que no
Sex is not enough for me, believe me
Que me siento gorrión
I feel like a sparrow
Con el nido vacío
With the nest empty
Por qué tenerles miedo a los demás
Why be afraid of others
Vayámonos besando por las calles
Let's kiss on the streets
Que sepan la verdad y si es que van a hablar
Let them know the truth and if they are going to talk
Adelante, que hablen
Go ahead, let them talk
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Garcia Rafael Perez Botija, Maria Enriqueta Ramos Nunez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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M u s i c L y r i c s
LETRA❤️
Es que vamos a amarnos siempre así
Con prisa y escondiéndonos, o nada
Amor esto es hacer
A un pájaro volar con las alas atadas
Porque no olvidar el qué dirán
Y lucir nuestro amor por todo el mundo
Amantes de verdad
Y si se han de enterar, que se enteren, ¡y punto!
¿Y qué?
Si nos llaman de todo, ¿y qué?
Si nos juzgan o no, ¿y qué?
Aquí solo contamos, tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos cierran las puertas, ¿y qué?
Si nos culpan o no, ¿y qué?
Si vivimos felices, tú y yo
Tú piensas que exagero, no es verdad
Con hacer el amor estoy servido
Pues créeme que no
Que me siento gorrión con el nido vacío
Porque tenerles miedo a los demás
Vayámonos besando por las calles
Que sepan la verdad
Y si es que van a hablar, adelante, ¡que hablen!
¿Y qué?
Si nos llaman de todo, ¿y qué?
Si nos juzgan o no, ¿y qué?
Aquí solo contamos, tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos cierran las puertas, ¿y qué?
Si nos culpan o no, ¿y qué?
Si vivimos felices, tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos llaman de todo, ¿y qué?
Si nos juzgan o no, ¿y qué?
Aquí solo contamos, tú y yo
¿Y qué?
Si nos cierran las puertas, ¿y qué?
Si nos culpan o no, ¿y qué?
Si vivimos felices, tú y yo
Luis Alberto Herrera
¿Es que vamos a amarnos siempre así
Con prisa y escondiéndonos o nada?
Amor, esto es hacer
A un pájaro volar
Con las alas atadas
¿Por qué no olvidar el qué dirán
Y lucir nuestro amor por todo el mundo?
Amantes de verdad
Y si se han de enterar
Que se enteren y punto
¿Y qué? Si nos llaman de todo
¿Y qué? Si nos juzgan o no
¿Y qué? Aquí sólo contamos tú y yo
¿Y qué? Si nos cierran las puertas
¿Y qué? Si nos culpan o no
¿Y qué? Si vivimos felices tú y yo
¿Tú piensas que exagero, no es verdad?
¿Con hacer el amor, estoy servido?
Pues créeme que no
Que me siento gorrión
Con el nido vacío
¿Por qué tenerles miedo a los demás?
Vayámonos besando por las calles
Que sepan la verdad
Y si es que van a hablar
Adelante, que hablen
¿Y qué? Si nos llaman de todo
¿Y qué? Si nos juzgan o no
¿Y qué? Aquí sólo contamos tú y yo
¿Y qué? Si nos cierran las puertas
¿Y qué? Si nos culpan o no
¿Y qué? Si vivimos felices tú y yo
¿Y qué? Si nos llaman de todo
¿Y qué? Si nos juzgan o no
¿Y qué? Aquí sólo contamos tú y yo
¿Y qué? Si nos cierran las puertas
¿Y qué? Si nos culpan o no
¿Y qué? Si vivimos felices tú y yo
Artemio Morales
Como no tengo a quien dedicar este chingon tema te lo dedico a ti que leíste mi comentario
CORAZÓN DE MIEL
Dedicamelo a mí
LUPITA ROSAS PEREZ
En verdad linda cancion me encanta n💕💕💕💕💕
Ortencia Olivares Correo
De lo mejor k exsite del gran príncipe José José
martin mendez
Chanfle, ya lei tu comentario y ahora?
Fernanda
Me estás coqueteando?
Xavier Andrade
Es curioso y casi único que este gran artista no tenga ninguna canción mala ....para mí es el mejor artista de todos los tiempos en este género ... irrepetible e inigualable..nunca habrá uno igual ...
Corazones Enamorados
Les recomiendo un precioso tema que se llama "Te Encontré", es de un cantautor que se llama Yuniel Sánchez González.
Bichita Gomez
Es por la voz de casi tenor que se maneja, todas sus canciones con su timbre de voz les salen perfectas a cualquiera
Gael blu
Que no a escuchado email me dice