José Montserrate Feliciano García, born on September 10, 1945, in Lares, Puerto Rico, is a renowned Puerto Rican musician celebrated for his expressive tenor voice and mastery of the guitar. Blind from birth due to congenital glaucoma, Feliciano's musical journey began in his early childhood. By the age of three, he was already experimenting with rhythm, and by nine, he had received his first guitar, which he practiced tirelessly.

Feliciano's family moved to Spanish Harlem, New York City, when he was five. There, he made his first public appearance at the Teatro Puerto Rico in The Bronx. As a teenager, he honed his guitar skills by listening to rock and roll, classical guitarists, and jazz musicians, with influences including Andrés Segovia and Wes Montgomery. He also took classical guitar lessons from Harold Morris, a former student of Segovia, at The Light House School for the Blind.

To support his family, Feliciano left high school at 17 and began performing in Greenwich Village coffeehouses. His talent was recognized by RCA Victor executive Jack Somer, who signed him after a performance at Gerde's Folk City. His first album, "The Voice and Guitar of José Feliciano" (1964), although critically acclaimed, did not achieve commercial success. However, his subsequent Spanish-language albums gained popularity in Latin America.

Feliciano achieved international fame in 1968 with his cover of The Doors' "Light My Fire," earning him Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. His album "Feliciano!" went gold, and he became a prominent figure in the music world. Despite controversy over his blues-rock rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the 1968 World Series, his performance became a turning point for personalized renditions of the anthem.

Throughout his career, Feliciano released over 50 albums in both English and Spanish, exploring genres like Latin pop, blues, jazz, soul, and rock. His Christmas classic "Feliz Navidad" (1971) remains a beloved holiday staple. Feliciano's contributions to music have been recognized with numerous accolades, including nine Grammy Awards and a National Medal of Arts in 2021. He continues to influence and inspire musicians worldwide.