In November 1970, 25 year old
Puerto Rican born José Feliciano released the song “Feliz Navidad.” His
bilingual Spanish and English lyrics helped bring the first modern non-English
Christmas Carol to America.
In 1970 his song reached number 6
on the Billboard Top 100 Chart and number 3 on the Holiday Billboard Chart.
Today – 51 years after it’s release,
“Feliz Navidad” ranks 8th on the list of best-selling
Christmas/holiday digital singles and is in the top 25 Christmas songs played
around the world.
Not only did José Feliciano bring non-English modern Christmas Carols to the United States in the 1970s, but he also raised awareness to the Blind and Hard-of-Seeing (he was born Blind.) Before him most Disabled people were kept hidden away in institutions and definitely didn’t get put on television or have concerts.
You can hear his song on his YouTube Page:
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