In 1970, producer Rick Jarrad decided to ask Feliciano to create an original Villancico for his album.“José Feliciano”rebranded in 2022 by BMG as ““Feliz Navidad”. Aunque al principio el puertorriqueño dudó de poder compete in clásicos like ““White Christmas” Yes”“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”aceptó el reto y di vida a las canciones más emblemáticas de la Navidad.

In a 2021 statement, Feliciano gushed about his inspiration, deeply connecting with the children of his childhood in Puerto Rico. “Mientras grababa, think of the familiar table mountain with my 11 hermanos, the lechón, the pastels and the ron, the traditions that meet my children,” he said. “Once I compose the song, I hear the song and add it to my family and my family’s holidays“, añadió.

Hello, ““Feliz Navidad” Ranked 17th in the list of the 25 most popular songs in the United States, including the Sociedad Americana of Compositores, Authores y Editores. Since its launch in 1970, singing has been haunting on exit lists and has included several songs on stage Billboard Hot 100. In 2017 it was 12 years old, on January 2, 2021 it was number 2, consolidated like a current classic.

In November 2021, Feliciano released a new version of his iconic song in an emotional collaboration with Amazon Latin Music. 30 selected artists took part, including Gloria Gaynor, Jon Secada, Shaggy, Michael Bolton and Julio Iglesias.

With more than 520 million plays on Spotify since 2024, the original version will continue with caution in new generations.

Ecos de Navidad

At the end of their 54-year history: ““Feliz Navidad” I have inspired countless versions and become a global navigator. One of the most popular adaptations of Boney Men in 1981, followed by iconic interpretations such as Céline Dion and the Chicago group in 2003.

Raphael also featured in this classic, including two duets on his album.Navidad with Raphael and his friends in life” (2015): one together with Fangoria and others with the propio José Feliciano. In 2011, Michael Bublé and Thalía have now provided their own version of the theme.

In 1991, Azúcar Moreno released a flamenco head with his interpretation, including in the album “Navidad en España”. In 2016, Laura Pausini described her unique style on the theme of her album.“Laura Navidad”. Including the legendary three tenors – Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras – masterful interpreters accompanied by the Orquesta Sinfónica de Viena.

Cancellations that are worried

However, the creator of this classic Universal Music Festival 65 years ago has had the intention of canceling various concerts in the last two years, focusing above all on his health between his successors.

In May 2023, presentations in Medellín and Bogotá, Colombia were suspended, citing “impossible circumstances of the incident.” I don’t know what details I learned and it is speculative that I can contact his salvation. A year later, in May 2024, their concerts in Viña del Mar and Santiago de Chile were canceled due to “logistical problems and problems with the artist”.

In October of this year, their spectacular events in El Salvador and Guatemala were also canceled, but they had to resort to “precarious circumstances related to the international logistics of the event.”

The concert, which took place in Peru on October 5 this year, has not yet been canceled. The organizers of the concert inform that they need “actual motives for the mayor and the country”.

Two weeks before their visit to Peru, during a trip with El Comercio, I was expected by Feliciano for his recommendations from the country, his expectations and projects. However, your answers are completely incoherent and concerns about a possible health problem are often expressed.

At his last public appearance on November 23 at the Hacienda Lealtad de Puerto Rico, the rendition of “Por qué te tengo que olvidar” presented a version of “Feliz Navidad” that had obvious difficulties. During the actuation, I changed parts of the text and had trouble pronouncing some words, especially in English, as I was setting off the alarms because I had introduced them to the public at that stage of my life.