José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz (born as a Pisces in February 17, 1948 ), known in the entertainment world as José José or ‘El Príncipe de la Canción’ (‘The Prince of the Song’) is the most talented and gifted Mexican singer ever, best known for his romantic ballads and gifted vocals. He has sold over 40 million albums in his career. Because of his performance and popularity, he is considered one of the most important world singers from the 70’s to the early 90’s.
He started participating in festivals and contests around Mexico City at a young age. “Pero te extrano” and “Mi Vida” were the songs featured on his first improvised single, released in 1965. Around the same time, José José joined Los Peg, playing double bass. after RCA discovered him they signed him and urge him to leave hes group. The “Nave del Olvido” became his first world hit in 1969, José José’s big break came on March 17 of 1970, when he represented Mexico in an international song festival “II Festival de la Canción” (predecessor of the Festival OTI de la Canción) with an amazing and passionate 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 all the best singers of that era and from the present celebrities like Angélica María, Alberto Vázquez, Marco Antonio Muñiz, and all the judges and the spectators in the Teatro Ferrocarrilero in Mexico City. The fact that José José got the third place shocked the audience. He was requested to perform again “El triste” but he refused and left the OTI. After that hit, his popular romantic ballad and hes unique voice made him the star of stars in America.
During the early 70’s, José José became one of the most known balladists in Latin America, despite competing with other Hispanic singers such as Dyango, Nino Bravo, Julio Iglesias, Roberto Carlos, Danny Rivera, Nelson Ned, Raphael, 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 several international number one hits, and 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’s hit “Let Me Get To Know You”), “Divina Ilusión”, “El Príncipe” song that gave him the nickname “El Príncipe De La Canción” (“The Prince Of The Song”). Also, he then climbed the most important Latin charts with “De Pueblo en Pueblo”, “Hasta Que Vuelvas”, “Déjame Conocerte”, “Sentimientos”, “Paloma” and the smash ballad “Gavilan o Paloma”.
During the early 80’s, 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 Más”. After that, he released the album “Romántico”; that production 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 nowadays are classics in Mexico and Latin America.
In 1983, José José got to the top of his career with his best selling album “Secretos”, wich sold 7 million copies between 1983 and 1984, and over 9 million units until today; this album was recorded in Spain by the Spanish master composer Manuel Alejandro, Roberto Livi produced 40 y 20 in Miami and Los Angeles, and José José promoted the album with shows around America, including New York’s Madison Square Garden and Chicago’s Pavillion.
José would suffer dire consequences from his problem with alcoholism, as his health faltered dearly during the 90’s.According to many people his excessive drinking and the incessant activity, caused his voice to falter and could no longer sing as he could before but most people believe hes health problems did not affect hes vocals. In 2001, after many number one hits like “Mi Vida”,”Amneseia “Sere”, “Sera”, “Almohada”, “Gavilan o Paloma”,”Quemame los ojos”,”Cuidado”,”La nave del olvido”,Nadie simplemente nadie”, “El Amor acaba”,”Si me dejas ahora”, “Me basta”,”Lo Pasado pasado”, “Volcan”, “Desesperado”,Voy a llenarte toda”,”Pero lo dudo”,”Vamos a darnos tiempo”,”Preso”,”Lagrimas”,”Lo que fue no sera”,”Me basta”,”Cuando vayas conmigo”,”A esa”,”No me platiques mas”,” Y que”, “Cuarenta y Veinte”,”Amor para dos”,”Cuidado”,with a very deteriorated voice, he recorded his last album, “Tenampa”, After that, he retired officially from recording.
In 2008, he recorded an emotive song called “Volver A Creer” with the world famous musician Yanni, included in his last album Yanni Voces. The same year, his wife Sara Salazar suffered from a severe cerebral hemorrhage, 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. In July, Univision and the Latin Grammys, recorded in Miami at the BankUnited Center a special TV tribute to José José, and the TV Co. described José José as: “one of the most beloved singers in Latin music” that night José José sang “Sere” and such great and emotive moment made cry all Latin America, Nowadays he lives in Miami with his wife and his youngest daughter.
During the 2009, there has been a small recovery in his vocals and he has been giving concerts in South America, Mexico and some cities of the U.S.
Albums:
- Tenampa (2001)
- Distancia (1998)
- Y Algo Más (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)
- ¿Qué Es El Amor? (1989)
- Sabor A Mí (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)
- Romántico (1981)
- Amor Amor (1980)
- Si Me Dejas Ahora (1979)
- Lo Pasado Pasado (1979)
- Volcán (1978)
- Reencuentro (1977)
- El Príncipe (1976)
- Tan Cerca…Tan Lejos (1975)
- Vive (1974)
- Hasta Que Vuelvas (1973)
- Cuando Tú Me Quieras (1972)
- De Pueblo En Pueblo (1972)
- Buscando Una Sonrisa (1971)
- El Triste (1970)
- La Nave Del Olvido (1970)
- Cuidado (1969)
