José José (born José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz on February 17th, 1948 in Mexico City, Mexico), also known in the entertainment world as "El Príncipe de la Canción" ("The Prince of the Song") is a popular Mexican singer best known for his romantic ballads and renowned for his gifted vocals. Regarded as one of the most talented singers of Latin American popular music, recognizable by his pure vocal tone and his ability to sustain high and low notes.[1]
José José has sold over 50 million albums worldwide, his best-selling album Secretos has sold over 10 million units until today. Due to his vocals, his career in Latin music and the high popularity he achieved, he is considered by the the media, the press and the people as one of the most important Latin singers from the 1970s to the early 1990s.[2] [3][4]
Biography
Early life
José was born into a family of musicians: his father, José Sosa Esquivel, was an operatic tenor and his mother, Margarita Ortiz, was a classical pianist. They never achieved relative large success, and when José began to show interest in singing, they tried to discourage him, claiming that it was too difficult to achieve success in show business. His father was an alcoholic who didn't accept anything in his house but opera and classical music. In 1963, when he was fifteen years old, his father left the house, forcing him to work and help his mother and younger brother. He learned advanced singing techniques and started playing guitar, bass and piano.
Early career
José continued his attempts to become a singer, by his teens, he had launched his own career with serenades. Then he started singing and playing the bass and double bass with a bossa nova jazz band called "Los Peg". His main influences among others were The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Johnny Mathis. They played most of the time in night clubs and jazz festivals. He signed a small contract of two singles, releasing the songs "El Mundo" (Jimmy Fontana's "Il Mondo") and "Ma Vie" without success. He returned to serenades and to play with his band in night clubs.
José left the band, took the artistic name "José José" (in honor of his father, who had recently died of alcoholism; he joined his first name "José" and the first name of his father "José", from whom he says, had inherited the voice) and with the support of his mother recorded his first album. The album contains songs by Rubén Fuentes and Armando Manzanero and the music is a combination of boleros and romantic ballads with an influence of jazz and bossa nova. Because of the quality, the album was praised by the critics but did not achieve much popularity.[5] He struggled, but then during the late 1960s, his fame began to rise, and he was featured on various television shows. With songs like "Una Mañana" and "Cuidado", he started to get attention from the people and the media. He released the song "La Nave del Olvido" that became his first big hit in Mexico and Latin America, [5] and recorded his second album.
1970-1979: The beginning of success, BMG Ariola, a consolidated star
José José's recognition came on March 25, 1970, when he represented Mexico in an international song festival, the "II Festival de la Canción Latina" ( "Latin Song Festival II", predecessor of the OTI Festival) with an amazing performance of the song "El Triste". The performance of the song was so impressive that caused tears, standing ovations, expressions of amazement and cheers from Angélica María, Alberto Vázquez, Marco Antonio Muñiz, the judges and the spectators in the Teatro Ferrocarrilero in Mexico City. The fact that José José got the third place shocked the audience.[6] After that hit, his popular romantic ballad style mixed with a unique voice made him the star of stars in Mexico. He played the lead role in small movies like Sueño De Amor[7], Buscando Una Sonrisa[8] and La Carrera del Millón[9]; With the quick success, the fame and the money, like his father, he fell into alcoholism, but with help of his friends and his family he recovered. During the early 1970s, José José became one of the most known romantic ballad singers in Latin America, despite competing with other Hispanic singers such as Nino Bravo, Julio Iglesias, Jose Luis Perales, Danny Rivera, José Luis Rodríguez and Camilo Sesto, but still, none of those singers had his gifted vocal range, registration and technique. José was featured constantly on the most popular Mexican television shows, where he used to sing live with old legends of the Hispanic music such as Pedro Vargas and Carlos Lico, among others. He made various international number one hits, and toured Latin America various times. His main hits were: "Del Altar A La Tumba" , "Buscando Una Sonrisa", "De Pueblo En Pueblo", "Cuando Tu Me Quieras", "Hasta Que Vuelvas", "Candilejas" (Charles Chaplin's "Terry's Theme"), "Paloma 'Cada Mañana Que Te Vas' ", "Sentimientos" (Morris Albert's "Feelings"), "Vive", "Dejame Conocerte" (Paul Anka's "Let Me Get To Know You"), "Divina Ilusión" (an adaptation of Étude No. 5 of Frédéric Chopin), "Sabrás Que Te Quiero" and "El Príncipe" ("The Prince") song that gave him the nickname "El Príncipe De La Canción" ("The Prince Of The Song").
In 1977, he signed a contract with BMG Ariola and record in London the album Reencuentro, that released the hits " El Amar y El Querer" and "Gavilán o Paloma" and got him to the top of the lists of popularity. During 1978 and 1979 he achieved enormous success with the hits "Lo Que Un Dia Fué No Será", "Lo Pasado, Pasado", "Volcán", "Si Me Dejas Ahora", "Te Quiero Tal Como Eres" ( Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are") and the hit ballad "Almohada". By that time, José José became a "sure hit"; every one of his songs immediately became a hit and he sold-out in every place he performed.
1980–1992: International stardom, Secretos, Mexico's top singer
During the early 1980s, he released the album Amor Amor, recorded in Los Angeles, California, which contained the songs "Insaciable Amante", "No Me Digas Que Te Vas", "Amor Amor" and the classic bolero "No Me Platiques Mas". After that, he released the album Romántico; production that not only created a new way to sing boleros but also made very popular this form of old ballads. Songs like "El Reloj", "La Gloria Eres Tú", "Un Poco Más", "Cancionero" and "Regálame Esta Noche" were crafted in such exquisite form that they became classics in Mexico and Latin America. His next album was Gracias, that launched the songs "Me Basta" and "Preso", and the production Mi Vida, with the songs "Desesperado" and the autobiographic hit "Mi Vida". He recorded with Lani Hall the song "Te Quiero Así", another huge hit. In that time, José worked as producer in some of his albums and wrote songs like "Si Alguna Vez" and "Amor Para Los Dos". He performed with sold-out for seven days in a row at the National Auditorium and a month in the night club "El Patio".
In 1983, José José got to the top of his career with his album Secretos. The album sold 4 million copies between 1983 and 1984, and over 10 million units until today; Secretos was recorded in Spain and written by the composer Manuel Alejandro and has hits like "Lo Dudo", "El Amor Acaba", "Lagrimas", "He Renunciado A Ti", and "A Esa". After that, he kept on with success; during the 1980s he sold out in the Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and The Dunes. He was known as "Mexico's Top Singer" in his shows. He performed several seasons at the Las Vegas Hilton and the Tropicana Casino and Resort Atlantic City. In 1985 he released his autobiographic film Gavilán o Paloma[10], and recorded the very successful albums, Reflexiones ( that sold over 2 million copies[11]), Promesas[12], Siempre Contigo[13] and Soy Así[14]. His albums peaked the first position on Billboard Latin Pop Albums at the time of their release and produced hits like "Payaso", "Seré", "¿Y Qué?", "Pruébame", "Amantes", "Más", "Lástima", "Me Vas a Echar de Menos", "¿Y Quién Puede Ser?", "Corre y Ve Con Él", "Vergüenza Me Da Quererte", "Mi Hembra", "Cobarde", "Soy Así"[15], "Salúdamela Mucho", among others. He joined José Feliciano to release a duet that became a major hit for both singers: "Por Ella". In 1987, he traveled to Israel, and performed in Tel Aviv. In 1988, José José played the role of the Mexican singer and composer Alvaro Carrillo in the movie Sabor A Mí[16]. In the late 1980s he sold out with two massive concerts at the Plaza México, gathering over 100,000 people; then traveled to Japan, where he was featured on television shows and offered several performances. He had a comeback hit, with the pop songs "Piel De Azucar" and "Como Tú" of the album ¿Qué Es El Amor? he got back to the top of the lists of popularity. The song "Como Tú" lasted ten weeks at number-one on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks.[17]
In 1990, the late Raul Velasco made a special television show to pay homage to José José's 25th anniversary. The show lasted over five hours and featured very popular singers as special guests like Armando Manzanero, Vicente Fernández and Marco Antonio Muñiz. In 1991, he released the hit song "Amnesia" of the album En Las Buenas y En Las Malas. In 1992, he sold out at the UIC Pavilion, and released another hit: "40 y 20", from the album with the same name, which speaks about men who fall in love with women that are much younger than them and the way society sees those situations. [17]
1993-1999: Decline, alcoholism, minor hits
In the 1990s, began a deterioration on his voice, it worsened over time and became evident specially in his live performances. His excessive drinking and the incessant activity during his career, caused his voice to falter and could no longer sing as he could before. During those days, José suffered the worst stage of alcoholism in his career; he was living in a car and declared that he wanted to die drinking, but again, with the help of his friends, family, the journalist and personal friend Ricardo Rocha and other artists, he decided to rehabilitate.[5] He went to Hazelden in Minnesota for rehab. Until now, he hasn't returned to drinking.[5] In 1995, José played the lead role in the movie Perdoname Todo, a drama about an alcoholic has-been and how he tries to survive to himself and to the music business.[18] Between 1994 and 1998, he recorded Grandeza Mexicana, that released the hits "Dejalo Todo", "La Fuerza de La sangre", and "Grandeza mexicana"; Mujeriego with the hits "No valió la pena", "Llora Corazón", "Dele Gracias A La Vida", "Mujeriego" and "Olvidame"[17]; and his last album of the decade, Distancia, that released the hit "Ojala Que Te Mueras", the album was not as successful as his prior works, due the condition of his voice that worsened with the pass of time.
2000s: Loss of vocals, appearances in movies and TV
In 2001, with a very deteriorated voice, he recorded his last album, Tenampa, which received poor ratings.[19] The problem of his voice got worse, and affected not only his ability to sing, but also to talk. After that, he retired from recording. In the mid 2000s, he appeared briefly as the "Mystery Musician" in the movie Sueño and played the role of Erasmo Padilla (the father of Leticia "Lety" Padilla) in La Fea Más Bella, a very successful Mexican version of the Colombian production Betty la Fea (adapted in the US as Ugly Betty).[20][21] In 2007, he released Mis Duetos, an album featuring duets he recorded in the past. However, it featured two new songs, "E-Mail Me" with his daughter, "Sarita", which was written in reggaeton and "Aunque vivas con él" with Reyli. In 2008, he recorded an emotive song called "Volver A Creer" ("Believe Again") with the world famous musician Yanni, included in Yanni Voces. Yanni stated that he wanted to "help a true legend to fulfill his dream, to sing again".[22] José José was invited by Yanni to sing their song live in Yanni's tour in Mexico.
Health issues
José José has suffered of several health issues during whole of his career until today, due to his issues, appears constantly in the Latin media. In 1972, he suffered from a severe case of pneumonia; his thoracic diaphragm was paralyzed; the disease almost destroyed his voice, career and his life. He recovered after going through months of therapy based on breathing exercises, but one of his lungs was permanently damaged. [5] In the late 1980s, he underwent several operations on his vocal cords as a consequence of the excessive use of cortisol, alcohol and the lack of rest after many of his performances. José would suffer dire consequences from his problem with alcoholism, as his health faltered dearly during the 1990s. He developed diabetes. In 2001, he suffered from a case of emphysema.[23] The effect of alcoholism, the abuse of cortisol and his hiatus hernia, have not only affected his ability to sing, but also to talk.[24] In 2007, he suffered from Bell's palsy. As a result of all these problems he has fought a very serious depression over the recent years. He acknowledged this during an interview on the Univision program "Don Francisco Presenta..." hosted by popular TV host Don Francisco.[25] José has recently struggled with a diabetic retinopathy in one of his eyes, he underwent a operation and his doctor stated that he is recovering.[26]
Personal life
During the early 1970s he started a relationship with TV hostess, actress and model, Ana Elena Noreña (known as Anel), but they split. After that, in 1971 he married Natalia "Kiki" Herrera Calles, a socialite twenty years older than him. They divorced in 1973.[5] In 1974, he married Anel. His high-profile relationship with Anel ended in a divorce in 1991. Between the 1970s and 1980s, he had two children's with Anel, his first-born José Francisco (known as José Joél) and his daughter Marysol Estrella.[5] His alcoholism caused him serious financial problems, he claims that during his career he was constantly defrauded by his managers, including Anel's brother.[27]After his rehab, he married his third wife, Sara Salazar. In 1995 during a Latin American tour, his third daughter Sara ("Sarita") was born. In November 2008, his actual wife suffered from a severe cerebral hemorrhage,[28] José has declared that he is struggling with the medical bills, with the help of singers like Cristian Castro, Ana Barbara, the businessman Jaime Camil Sr. and his fans, he's been raising funds to help his situation.[29] Nowadays he lives in Miami with his wife and his youngest daughter.[30]
Legacy and awards
José José is considered one of the greatest Latin American singers of all time and also a huge influence to very popular artists like: Cristian Castro[31], Vicente Fernández[32], Alejandro Fernandez[33], Nelson Ned, Pepe Aguilar, Manuel Mijares[34], Lupita D'Alessio, and Reyli, among many others. In 1998, Latin bands of rock and hip hop like Molotov, Jumbo, Julieta Venegas, Beto Cuevas, and Aleks Syntek, recorded a tribute album called "Un Tributo (a José José)" ( "A Tribute [to José José]"), singing José's classic songs like "Lo Dudo", "El Triste", "Volcán", and many others, each song with a special personal style of the band. José José besides of singing, plays the piano, bass, guitar and double bass. His predilect music is the clasical (Ravel, Debussy, Musorgsky), jazz and bossa nova.[35] Besides his artistic quality, José is well known between his family, friends and fans for his kindness and modesty, his presence is so important that in 2004, with a completely deteriorated voice he sold out at the National Auditorium.[36]
In 1996, he was awarded a special concession by the Mexican government. The Mexican government deemed him deserving of this award based on the cultural impact José José has had on the country. In 2002 he achieved "El Premio a la Excelencia" ("Prize to Excellence") in the Premios Lo Nuestro ( Lo Nuestro Awards).[37] The Billboard Magazine awarded him for "Mejor Artista Latino" ("Best Latin Artist") and "Mejor Disco Latino" ("Best Latin Album") several times. In 2005 he received the "Personalidad del Año" ("Person of the Year") by the Latin Grammy Award Recording Association[38]; he has been nominated nine times to the Grammy. For his contribution to the recording industry, José José has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7036 Hollywood Blvd.[39]. In July 2008, Univision and the Latin Grammy, recorded in Miami at the BankUnited Center a special TV tribute to José José, called Latin Grammy Celebra: José José (Latin Grammy Celebrates: José José). Stars such as Marco Antonio Solis, Ana Barbara, Cristian Castro, Alicia Villarreal, Reyli, Olga Tañon, Luis Fonsi, David Bisbal and Aventura performed his greatest hits live; stars such as Plácido Domingo, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Pepe Aguilar, Pedro Fernandez, and RBD, sent him special messages congratulating him and showing their admiration.[40] In the show, Univision described José José as: "One of the most beloved singers in Latin music".[41]
Albums
- Tenampa (2001)
- Distancia (1998)
- Y Algo Mas (1998)
- Tesoros (1997)
- Mujeriego (1995)
- Grandeza Mexicana (1994)
- 30 Años De Ser El Principe (1993)
- 40 Y 20 (1992)
- En Las Buenas Y En Las Malas (1990)
- Que Es El Amor (1989)
- Sabor A Mi (B.S.O./Soundtrack) (1988)
- Soy Así (1987)
- Siempre Contigo (1986)
- Promesas (1985)
- Gavilan O Paloma (B.S.O./Soundtrack) (1985)
- Reflexiones (1984)
- Secretos (1983)
- Mi Vida (1982)
- Gracias (1981)
- Romantico (1981)
- Amor Amor (1980)
- Si Me Dejas Ahora (1979)
- Lo Pasado Pasado (1979)
- Volcan (1978)
- Reencuentro (1977)
- El Principe (1976)
- Tan Cerca...Tan Lejos (1975)
- Vive (1974)
- Hasta Que Vuelvas (1973)
- Cuando Tu Me Quieras (1972)
- De Pueblo En Pueblo (1972)
- Buscando Una Sonrisa (1971)
- El Triste (1970)
- La Nave Del Olvido (1970)
- Cuidado (1969)
Gold and Platinum albums
A TOTAL OF 22 GOLD AND PLATINUM RECORDS FOR "Secretos"
Compilations & boxed sets
- 2009 Jose Jose y Sus Amigos con Amor
- 2009 Secretos Intimos Del Amor
- 2009 Lo Esencial De Jose Jose
- 2008 Brillantes- Jose Jose
- 2008 Tres Voces y una Inspiracion
- 2008 Lo Esencial
- 2008 El Principe y El Bolero
- 2007 Mis Duetos [5 Track DVD]
- 2007 Mis Duetos [Norte CD/DVD]
- 2007 Mis Duetos [Televisa CD/DVD]
- 2007 Mis Duetos [DVD]
- 2007 Serie Herencia Vol. 2
- 2007 Serie Herencia Vol. 1
- 2007 Mi Historia, Vol. 2
- 2007 Mi Historia, Vol. 1
- 2005 Lo Mejor en Trios
- 2005 20 Éxitos Originales
- 2005 Jose Jose y 8 Grandes Idolos de la Balada Romántica: 100 Años de Musica
- 2005 Lo Esencial José José
- 2005 20 Inolvidables
- 2004 The Best of José José
- 2004 Jose Jose
- 2003 Los Grandes De La Balada
- 2003 Definiendo Jose
- 2003 40 Aniversario, Vol. 4
- 2003 40 Aniversario, Vol. 3
- 2003 40 Aniversario, Vol. 2
- 2003 40 Aniversario, Vol. 1
- 2003 El Principe Con Trio, Vol. 2
- 2003 El Principe Con Trio, Vol. 1
- 2002 Coleccion RCA: 100 Anos de Musica
- 2002 Lo Inolvidable de Jose Jose
- 2002 Todo Exitos de Jose Jose
- 2000 Lo Mejor de los Grandes, Vol. 2
- 2000 Serie 2000
- 1999 Coleccion Original
- 1999 Lo Mejor de Lo Mejor
- 1998 Serie Retratos
- 1998 35 Anos de Amor
- 1998 35 Aniversario, Vol. 7
- 1998 35 Aniversario, Vol. 6
- 1998 35 Aniversario, Vol. 5
- 1998 35 Aniversario, Vol. 4 (1981–85)
- 1998 35 Aniversario, Vol. 3 (1977–80)
- 1998 35 Aniversario, Vol. 2 (1972–1976)
- 1998 35 Aniversario, Vol. 1 (1969–1972)
- 1997 Romanticos del Siglo
- 1997 Serie Platino, Vol. 2: 20 Exitos
- 1996 Lo Mejor de Los 3 Grandes
- 1996 Serie Platino
- 1995 Serie Retrato
- 1994 30 Años de Ser El Principe
- 1992 Serie 20 Exitos
- 1992 15 Exitos de Oro
- 1990 15 Romanticas En La Voz De Jose Jose
- 1990 25 Aniversario, Vol. 2
- 1990 15 Exitos
- 1989 Exitos Vol. 2
- 1988 Romantico Vol. 2
- 1988 Exitos Vol. 1
- 1987 Ayer, Hoy, y Siempre
- 1986 25 Aniversario, Vol. 1
- 1982 20 Triunfadoras De Jose Jose
- 1981 Romantico Vol. 1
- 1977 Grandes Exitos de Jose Jose
- 10 Super Exitos de Jose Jose
- Lo Mejor de Jose Jose
- Los Grandes Exitos, Vol. 2
Films
- Buscando Una Sonrisa (1971)
- Sueño De Amor (1972)
- La Carrera Del Millon (1973)
- Gavilan O Paloma (1985)
- Sabor A Mi (1988)
- Perdóname Todo (1995)
- Sueño (2005)
- Double Tap (2006)
- Melate El Corazon (2009)
Soap operas
Duets
References
- ^ http://www.laquintacolumna.com.mx/2009/febrero/columnistas/colu_personajes_260209.html
- ^ http://www.famaweb.com/jose_jose_quotesta_es_mi_vidaquot_lanzamiento-6005.html
- ^ http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/41601.jose-jose-reflexiona-sobre-la-muerte-de-celia.html
- ^ http://www.grandesestrellas.com/j/jose-jose-home.html
- ^ a b c d e f g http://www.selecciones.com.mx/content/21588/
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skCZCaThiuM
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0228907/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0228096/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0321609/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0236247/
- ^ http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hifyxq9gldse
- ^ http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0iftxq9gldse~T3
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=295&cfgn=Albums&cfn=Latin+Pop+Albums&ci=3005343&cdi=6251496&cid=11%2F29%2F1986
- ^ http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wifyxq9gldse~T3
- ^ http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gzfyxql5ldje~T5
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379476/
- ^ a b c http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gzfyxql5ldje~T51
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0236590/
- ^ http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hcfpxql0ldke
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0383648/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497152/
- ^ http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/articulo/pianista-internacional-yanni-apoya-a-jose-jose
- ^ http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=14885&tabla=notas
- ^ http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?chid=6&schid=1363&secid=1408&cid=1300012&pagenum=1
- ^ http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?chid=6&schid=1363&secid=1408&cid=1300012&pagenum=2
- ^ http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2009/11/10/revista/7372
- ^ http://www.peopleenespanol.com/pespanol/articles/0,22490,1181091,00.html
- ^ http://www.peopleenespanol.com/pespanol/articles/0,22490,1860412,00.html
- ^ http://www.terra.com.mx/articulo.aspx?articuloId=777628
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0430978/bio
- ^ http://www.kodaktheatertickets.com/cristian-castro-tickets.php
- ^ http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/89253.vicente-fernandez-abre-su-corazon.html
- ^ http://alejandrofernandez.yaia.com/frases.html
- ^ http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=59127&tabla=espectaculos
- ^ http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=187441
- ^ http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/124465.jose-jose-festeja-en-familia.html
- ^ http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml;jsessionid=OTMXL4MK1LEGECWIAAOCFEYKZAAB0IWC?chid=10383&schid=10646&secid=10650&cid=490991&pagenum=2
- ^ http://latingrammyawards.blogspot.com/search/label/Jos%C3%A9%20Jos%C3%A9
- ^ http://www.terra.com/ocio/articulo/html/oci52221.htm
- ^ http://www.univision.com/content/channel.jhtml?chid=10383&schid=25336
- ^ http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=1608198
