José José
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| José José | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | José Romulo Sosa Ortiz |
| Born | February 17, 1948 |
| Origin |  Mexico City, Mexico |
| Genre(s) | Latin Pop – Ballad – Bolero – Bossa Nova – Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer – Double bassist – Guitarist – Producer – Actor |
| Years active | 1965—2008 |
| Label(s) | Ariola |
| Website | http://www.josejose.com/ |
José Romulo Sosa Ortiz (born February 17, 1948), better known in the entertainment world as José José or El Príncipe de la Canción (The Prince of Song). Because of his gifted voice, performance and popularity, he is considered one of the most important singers from Mexico .
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[edit] History
José was born into a family of musicians: his father was an operatic tenor and his mother 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. He started playing guitar, bass and keyboards.
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 Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis, they played most of the time in night clubs and opening local jazz festivals. He signed a small contract of two singles, released the songs "El mundo" and "Ma vie", without success, he returned to serenades and playing with his band in night clubs.
[edit] Career
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José left the band, took the artistic name "José José" honoring his father who had died of alcoholism and with the support of his mother recorded his first album. Because of the quality, the album was praised by the critics but did not achieved much popularity. 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 producers' and businessmen's attention. He released the song "La nave del olvido" that became his first big hit all around Mexico, and recorded a second album.
José José's big break came on March 14 1970, when he represented Mexico in an international song festival "II Festival de la Canción Latina" (predecessor of the Festival OTI de la Canción) with an amazing performance of the song "El Triste", between the tears of Angélica María, a standing ovation by Alberto Vázquez, Marco Antonio Muñiz's expression of amazement and cheers of the spectators in the Teatro Ferrocarrilero in Mexico City. José José did not win but was clearly the audience's favorite. 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 movies like Sueño de amor and Buscando una sonrisa, starts a relationship with his first couple Anel Noreña, but they split. With the quick success, the fame and money, like his father, he fell into alcoholism, but with help of his friends and family he got back on track. He was married to his first wife Natalia Herrera Calles, but they quickly divorced because of the age difference; she was twenty years older than him.
During the early 1970s, José José became one of the most known balladists in Latin America, despite competing with such other Hispanic singing legends as Nino Bravo, Julio Iglesias, Jose Luis Perales, Danny Rivera, José Luis Rodríguez and Camilo Sesto, but still, none of those singers had his singing quality and feeling. José José made various international number one hits, and he toured Latin America various times. His songs included "Del altar a la tumba", "Buscando una sonrisa", "De pueblo en pueblo", "Cuando tu me quieras", "Hasta que vuelvas", "Vive", "Dejame conocerte" (a Spanish version of the Paul Anka hit "Let me get to know you"), "Divina ilusión", "El principe" song that gave him the nickname "El Príncipe de la canción" ("The Prince of the song"). In 1974, José married his first couple and second wife, Anel. In 1977, José recorded " El amar y el querer" and "Gavilán o paloma"; both songs are nowadays classics of Mexican music. During 1978 and 1979 he achieved enormous success with the timeless classics "Lo que un dia fue no será", "Lo pasado, pasado", "Volcán", "Si me dejas ahora" and the striking ballad "Almohada". Between the 1970s and 1980s, José had two children's with Anel, his first-born José Francisco (known in Mexico as José Joél) and his daughter Marysol Estrella. By that time, José José became a "sure hit" singer; every song he released immediately became a hit.
During the early 1980s, José José recorded the very successful album Amor Amor, which contained the hit songs "Insaciable amante" by Camilo Sesto, "No me digas que te vas", "Amor amor" and the classic bolero "No me platiques mas". After that, he released the album Romantico; this one not only created a new way to sing boleros but made this form of old Latin ballads very popular. Songs like: "El reloj", "La gloria eres tu", "Un poco más", "Cancionero" and "Regalame esta noche", were crafted in such exquisite form that they nowadays are classics in Mexico and Latin America. Next was the album Gracias that gave the hit songs "Me basta" and "Preso", and Mi vida, that produced the hit "Desesperado" and an autobiographic hit song called "Mi vida", written by Rafael Pérez Botija, the same composer that gave him the song "Gavilan o paloma" and so many other hits of his career. He sold out for five days in a row at the National Auditorium and a month in the night club "El Patio".
In 1983, José got to the top of his career with his best selling album Secretos recorded in Spain by the great Spanish master composer Manuel Alejandro, with the combination of splendid musical arrangement, lyrics and José's great singing quality. It has major hits like "Lo dudo", "El amor acaba", "Lagrimas", "He renunciado a ti", and "A esa". After that, he kept on with success; between 1980 and 1989, he sold out in the Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and The Dunes, listed as "Mexico's top singer"; in 1985 he released his autobiographic hit film Gavilan o Paloma, and recorded several albums that produced major hits like "Payaso", "Seré", "¿Y qué?", "Amantes", "Más", "¿Y quién puede ser?", "Soy asi". Then he joined José Feliciano to produce what became a major hit for both singers: "Por Ella" told the tale of two friends who fell in love with the same girl, being then left heartbroken.
In 1988, José José played the role of the Mexican singer and composer Alvaro Carrillo in the movie "Sabor a mi"; in the late 1980s he sold out with a massive concert at the Plaza México, and had a comeback hit, of sorts, with the 1960s pop-flavored smash, "Piel De Azucar" and "Como Tú".
In 1990, the late Raul Velasco made a special television show to pay homage to José José's 25th anniversary. The show was a total hit, lasted six hours and had very popular singers as special guests like Vicente Fernández, Roberto Carlos, Julio Iglesias and Marco Antonio Muñiz. In 1991, he released the hit song "Amnesia" from the album En las buenas y en las malas. In 1992, he sold out at the UIC Pavilion, and produced another major hit, "Cuarenta y veinte", from the album with the same name, which spoke about men who fall in love with women that are much younger than them and the way society sees these situations. During those days, José started the hardest alcoholic frenzy of 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 reporter Ricardo Rocha and other artists, he decided to rehabilitate.
In 1998, Mexican rock and hip hop bands recorded a tribute album called "Un Tributo (a José José)", singing José classic songs like "Lo Dudo", "El Triste", "Volcán", and many others, each song with a special personal style of the band. "Lo Dudo" was sampled by rapper DMX on the song "Let Me Fly" from the album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot.
[edit] Decline
He would suffer dire consequences from his problem with alcoholism, as his health faltered dearly during the 1990s. His excessive drinking and incessant activity caused his voice to falter as well and could no longer perform with his voice as he could before. Fans can attest by comparing his first songs to albums such as Mujeriego and Distancia. Alcoholism was also one of the major factors for his divorce from his second wife. He went to Alcoholics Anonymous and claims to be cured, then he married his third wife, the Cuban Sara Salazar. 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 for himself and the music business. That same year during a Latin American tour, his third daughter "Sara" was born. She has shown interest in becoming a singer in the future. José José has three children.
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. Besides his artistic quality, José is well known between his family, friends and fans for his kindness and modesty; he uses very often the terms "mi amigo" ("my friend") or "mi hermano del alma" ("my dear brother") when he is having a conversation.
In 2001, with a very deteriorated voice, he recorded his last album, Tenampa which received poor ratings. After that, he officially retired from singing. His influence is strongly felt in Mexican pop culture and music, considered over Luis Miguel, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Juan Gabriel, Emmanuel (singer), and so many others, as the greatest Mexican romantic ballad singer of all times. For his contribution to the recording industry, José José has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7036 Hollywood Blvd.
José José played the role of Erasmo Padilla (the father of Leticia "Lety" Padilla) in the Mexican version of Ugly Betty, La Fea Más Bella.
In 2007, he released "Mis Duetos", an album featuring his past duet songs. However, it featured two new songs, "E-Mail Me" with "Sarita", which was written in reggaeton and "Aunque vivas con él" with Reyli. Nowadays José lives in Miami. He released an album called José José: El Príncipe y el Bolero which contains great boleros that he recorded in the past such as "Te extraño", "Tu mi delirio", "Contigo en la distancia", "La barca" and "Sabor a mí". He is also planning to return to television but his health issues have stopped him.
[edit] Health issues
In 1972, he suffered from a severe case of pneumonia; the disease almost destroyed his voice, career and his life. He recovered after going through months of therapy based on cortisol and breathing exercises. He recovered, but one of his lungs was permanently damaged. In the mid 1980s, he got a limp, the result of an operation on a nerve on his right leg. 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. The effect of alcoholism, the abuse of cortisol and his hiatus hernia, have not only affected his ability to sing, but also to talk. In June of 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.
[edit] 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 Asi (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)
[edit] Compilations & boxed sets
- 2008 Tres Voces y una Inspiracion
- 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]
- 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
- 2003 El Principe Con Trio, Vol. 2
- 2003 El Principe Con Trio, Vol. 1
- 2002 Coleccion RCA: 100 Anos de Musica
- 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 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 25 Aniversario, Vol. 2
- 1990 Exitos
- 1986 25 Aniversario, Vol. 1
- 1977 Grandes Exitos de Jose Jose
- 10 Super Exitos de Jose Jose
- Lo Mejor de Jose Jose
- Los Grandes Exitos, Vol. 2
[edit] Films
- Gavilán o Paloma
- Sabor a Mí
- Sueño de amor
- La carrera del millon
- Perdóname todo
- Buscando una sonrisa
[edit] Soap operas
- La fea más bella (2006)
[edit] Notable hits
- Lágrimas (Tears)
- 40 y 20 (40 and 20)
- Gavilán o Paloma (Hawk or Dove)
- Preso (Caged)
- La Nave Del Olvido (The Ship of Oblivion)
- Lo Pasado, Pasado (The Past Is Past)
- Volcán (Volcano)
- Amor Mío (My Love)
- Desesperado (Hopeless)
- No Valió La Pena (It Was Not Worth The Grief)
- Llora Corázon (My Heart Cries)
- Almohada (Pillow)
- Lo Que No Fue No Será (What It Wasn't, Won't Be)
- Voy A Llenarte Toda (I'm Going To Fulfill You)
- El Amar Y El Querer (The Loving And The Desiring)
- Amor Lo Que Se Dice (Love, What They Say Is)
- Si Me Dejas Ahora (If You Leave Me Now)
- Más (More)
- Mi Vida (My Life)
- Lo Dudo (I Doubt It)
- El Amor Acaba (Love Ends)
- Amor, Amor (Love, Love)
- Me Vas Echar De Menos (You Will Miss Me)
- El Triste (The Sad One)
- ¿Y Qué? (So What?)
- Me Basta (Enough For Me)
- Piel De Azucar (Sugar Skin)
- Amnesia (Amnesia)
- Como Tú (Like You)
- Él (He)
- Corre Y Ve Con Él (Run And Go With Him)
- ¿Y Quién Puede Ser? (And Who Could It Be?)
- Insaciable Amante (Insatiable Lover)
- Mujeriego (Womanizer)
- ¿Donde Andará? (Where Could She Be?)
- Payaso (Clown)
- Cuando Vayas Conmigo (When You Go With Me)
- O Tu o Yo (Either You Or I)
- Cada Vez Y Cada vez (Every Time And Every Time)
- La Primera Vez (The First Time)
- Nadie, Simplemente Nadie (Nobody, Simply Nobody)
- New York, New York
- Buenos Dias, Amor (Good Morning, Love)
- Gracias (Thank You)
- Del Altar a la Tumba (From the Altar to the Tomb)
- El Mundo (The World)
- Farolero (Lampost)
- La Gloria Eres Tu (You Are The Glory)
- Cuando Tu Me Quierias (When You Would Want Me)
- Cuidado (Watch Out)
- El Principe (The Prince)
- Hasta Que Vuelvas (Until You Return)
- Polvo Enamorado (Dust in Love) Composer: Mauricio González de la Garza
- He Renunciado A Ti (I have given up on you)
- No Me Platiques Más (Don't tell me more)
- Una Mañana (A Morning)
- Pero Me Hiciste Tuyo (But You Made Me Yours)
- Quiero Perderme Contigo (I want to get lost with you)
[edit] Duets
- Por Ella (For Her) – José Feliciano
- Tiempo (Time) – Marco Antonio Muniz
- Entre La Espada Y La Pared (Between the Sword and the Wall) – Pimpinela
- Cruz de olvido(The Cross of Oblivion) – Marco Antonio Muniz
- El triste (The Sadman) (Piano Version) – Raúl di Blasio
- Let me get to know you (and the Spanish version, "Dejame Conocerte") – Paul Anka
- Hay una mañana (There is a Tomorrow) – Valeria Lynch
- Te quiero así (I Love You Like This) – Lani Hall
- Dos corazones amigos (Two Heart Friends) – José Guadalupe Esparza
- La fuerza de la sangre con su hijo (The Force of the Blood With Its Child) – José Joel
- José y Manuel (José and Manuel) – Manuel Alejandro
- Aunque Vivas Con El (Although You Live With Him) – Reyli
- E Mail Me – Sarita
- Como Hacer Para Olvidar (How To Forget) – Juan Gabriel
