23 Facts About Cheo Feliciano

Cheo Feliciano was a Puerto Rican singer and composer of salsa and bolero music.

Cheo Feliciano was the first tropical singer to perform at the "Amira de la Rosa Theater" in Barranquilla, Colombia, and in 1987 he played the role of Roberto Clemente's father in the musical Clemente.

Cheo Feliciano was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where he was raised and educated.

In 1952, Cheo Feliciano moved with his family to New York City and settled down in Spanish Harlem.

Cheo Feliciano accepted, but after playing for some time with Tito, he left the band to play the conga for Luis Cruz.

Aware that Cheo Feliciano was a talented singer, he recommended Cuba that he try out for the position.

Cheo Feliciano 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.

Cheo Feliciano's increasing addiction led him to heroin, which in turn threatened his life and career.

Cheo Feliciano decided to quit drugs "cold turkey" and eventually joined Puerto Rico's rehabilitation center, Hogares CREA.

In 1971, Feliciano came back to music with the album Cheo, his first solo recording.

Cheo Feliciano recorded one of his first albums bolero music titled La Voz Sensual de Cheo.

In 1982, Cheo Feliciano started his own recording company called "Coche Records".

Cheo Feliciano became a hit in Spain, and was a regular in the Tenerife Carnival.

Cheo Feliciano sang in the 1992 Universal Exposition in Seville.

In 1990, Feliciano recorded another album of bolero music, titled Los Feelings de Cheo.

Cheo Feliciano traveled all over Europe, Japan, Africa, and South America.

In 1995, Cheo Feliciano won a Platinum Record Award for La Combinacion Perfecta.

In 2000, Cheo Feliciano recorded Una Voz, Mil Recuerdos as a tribute to various Puerto Rican singers.

Cheo Feliciano was very active and continued traveling and performing all over the world until his last day.

Cheo Feliciano met Socorro "Coco" Prieto Leon in New York, when she was 15 years old.

In June 2013, Cheo Feliciano confirmed that he was suffering from liver cancer and was already undergoing chemotherapy.

Cheo Feliciano died in the early hours of 17 April 2014 in a single car accident on Highway 176 in the San Juan's barrio of Cupey, after losing control of his vehicle and hitting a concrete utility pole.

Cheo Feliciano's petition was to be buried at the Panteon Nacional Roman Baldorioty de Castro.