“Amada Mia,” “El Raton” and “Anacaona” were just some of the hit songs of Puerto Rican Salsa singer Cheo Feliciano, who was known for possessing one of the most romantic and sweetest voices in Salsa music.
He started in the 1960s as a Joe Cuba Sextet singer, gaining the attention of recording companies. He became one of the most gifted artists of the Fania All Stars. He was so interested in music to drop out of high school and study the top Salsa orchestras in New York, which landed him a job as band boy with Tito Rodriguez, who was one of the best during that time. It was Rodriguez who encouraged him to audition as a singer in Joe Cuba’s band. He got accepted and in the 50s and 60s, recorded 17 songs with the group. He became a major soloist in New York in 1965 that allowed him to work with equally famous Salsa artists such as Eddie Palmieri. He joined the Fania All Stars in 1972.
