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Cheers to 50 Years of Feliciano!
Conversations with a legend and his Lovely. by Ali Kaufman
This is a love story. It’s about love that the world has for José Feliciano, the love we feel for a song that unites us all during the holidays but also the love that José and his wife Susan have for each other and the life they share. I first met this globetrotting couple at the show in Willimantic that christened the brand new Shaboo Stage with a performance that lit the night on fire, just like José’s 1968 Grammy winning rendition of the Doors song. It is impossible not to be stunned by how welcoming and kind they are. You would think that after 50 years in the music business with legions of fans vying for their time and attention they would be tired of it but this could not be further from the reality. José is funny, really funny and this is not just because I was hearing his jokes for the first time. He has a mischievous smile and a joie de vivre that is palpable. His beautiful blonde wife has a laugh that fills the room like sparkly confetti but don’t think for one second that this woman is about fluff, she is strength, smarts and a dash of sass, you could not find a better gal to have your back or share a glass of wine with. We spoke that night in Willimantic and also granted another lengthy conversation this fall, both Mr and Mrs Feliciano were present and their affectionate banter was the thing I will remember most about them. They have the juice, the stuff that gets you through the tough times and makes the good times all the more sweet. Left: Feliciano’s “Concerto Candelas” guitar donation to the National Museum of American History.
