He was first exposed to music at age 3. At five, his family moved to Spanish Harlem, New York City. At age 9, he played on the Teatro Puerto Rico. He could play various instruments (such as the accordion) by then but he wanted to learn to play the guitar. To learn, he locked himself in his room for up to 14 hours a day to listen to 1950s rock albums but also classic guitarist like Segovia and Jazz player like Wes Montgomery, and had assistance from Harold Morris.

At 17, he quit school to play in clubs, because his family was going through a precarious economic situation. That year also, he had his first professional, contracted performance in Detroit.

In 1966, he went to Mar Del Plata, Argentina, to perform at the Festival de Mar Del Plata. There, he impressed RCA Victor officials, who told him to stay there to record an album in Spanish. They weren't sure what they wanted to record, but Feliciano suggested they record bolero music. The result was two smash hits with the singles Poquita Fe (Little Faith) and Uste (You; "uste(d)" being a more respectful way to say "you" in Spanish).

A year later Feliciano was to perform in Great Britain, but the authorities would not allow his guide-dog into the country. The stringent quarantine measures of those days were intended to prevent the spread of rabies. Feliciano expressed his anger in the song No dogs allowed. The live version made the charts in 1969.

After two more successful albums, Feliciano had become a household name all over Latin America. Then, he moved to Los Angeles, to pursue his dream of becoming a household name in the United States too. Feliciano then composed Feliz Navidad (I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas) which has become a Christmas classic in the United States as well as in Latin-America, and his own versions of The Doors' song Light My Fire and for his High Heel Sneakers, He immediately became a sensation all across North America and sold millions of albums on the strength of those three songs, he won 2 Grammy for "Best New Artist of the Year" and for "Best Pop Song of the Year" in 1969

In 1968, at the height of protests against the Vietnam War, Feliciano was given the opportunity to sing the Star-Spangled Banner at Tiger Stadium during the World Series. His highly personalized, slow, Latin-jazz performance proved highly controversial. Some called his rendition unpatriotic and a disgrace. Others understood the emotions and sincerity of his performance, and he emerged as a counterculture hero. The rendition was released as a single which charted for 5 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #50. Feliciano's Star-Spangled Banner took place 10 months before the now famous Jimi Hendrix rendition at Woodstock.

He also wrote and performed the theme song to the 1970s comedy series Chico and the Man, and played a guest role on that series as Chico's (Freddie Prinze) cousin, singer Pepe Fernando, also even in 70s, He act like actor and composer in some Tv series and movies including McMillan & Wife, Kung Fu episodes and the soundtrack of the movie "Aaron loves Angela" in 1976 and "Mackenna's Gold" with Quincy Jones.

Feliciano holds the distinction of being one of the few singers to have enjoyed success both in Spanish music and in English rock and roll. He has also recorded songs in Italian, being a well known act in Italy where he sing "Che Sara" great hit in half Europe, behind the Iron Curtain, Asia and recorded also it in spanish (Que Serà) great hit in all Central and South America and in english "Shake a Hand" big hit in Scandinavian countries Also Jose in 70s was really appreciated musician and considerated one of the most incredible guitarist of our time: He won for 5 time consecutives in 70s award for best Pop Guitarist from guitar Player Magazine and also was voted in Jazz, Classic and rock fields.

He received a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1987, after continuing on being a very popular singer during the 1980s. He had his hands cast on the famous Madame Tussaud's museum's Wall of Fame, and he has a star in the Walk of Fame of his native Puerto Rico. He also have a great hit in 1987 in Austria for the song "The Sound of Vienna" nr1 for 4 weeks and recorded with the famous "Vienna Simphony Orchestra" which also perform live with Jose at Danube Park in Vienna with more tha 50.000 people and broadcast in national Tv; but sure during 80s Record companies give to Jose much more space only for latin market and Jose recorded an impressive number of album and hit for that market, included the Motown allbums "Escenas de Amor" and "Me Enamore" and other from RCA, Emi and Capitol which add to Jose 4 more Grammy for best latin performer

In 1995, Feliciano was honored by the government of New York, which re-named Public School 155 the Jose Feliciano Performing Arts School.

In 2001, Feliciano admitted to having inpregnated a woman outside his marriage. The woman gave birth to a baby boy. Sadly, the boy was born with serious health problems and passed away a few weeks after birth.

Every year during the 2000s his perennial 1970 Christamas song "Feliz Navidad" return every years in any USA charts like one of most played from radio songs and downloaded songs in that christmas period, Feliz Navidad was also recognized from Ascap like one of the most 25 Christmas all time songs most played in the world

In 2006 Jose thanked God for give the possibility to download music from the net and recorded his first Instrumental album "Six String Lady" dedicated to his master Andres Segovia, this album is on the market only for donwload form his personal Jose Feliciano Official Site

He was also the number one answer for famous people with the first name Jose !!! FAMILY FUED BABY