ANTHEM RECORDS KICKS OFF GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF JOSÉ FELICIANO’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY FOR HIS HOLIDAY CLASSIC “FELIZ NAVIDAD” WITH A NEWLY RE-IMAGINED SINGLE TITLED “FELIZ NAVIDAD 50th ANNIVERSARY (FN50)” PRODUCED BY RUDY PEREZ FEATURING A DIVERSE ROSTER OF 30 SUPERSTAR ARTISTS FROM 9 COUNTRIES, AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON AMAZON MUSIC
ANTHEM RECORDS TEAMS WITH AMAZON FOR GLOBAL LAUNCH OF AMAZON ORIGINAL SONG, FIRST EVER OFFICIAL “FELIZ NAVIDAD” VIDEO, FELIZ NAVIDAD CHILDREN’S BOOK, JOSÉ ALEXA INITIATIVE, AND AN OFFICIAL AMAZON ARTIST STOREFRONT FEATURING THE FESTIVE NEW MERCHANDISE LINE
ADDITIONAL CELEBRATIONS FOR FELIZ NAVIDAD 50TH ANNIVERSARY (FN50) TO BE ANNOUNCED THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS AT FELIZNAVIDAD50th.COM
NEW YORK [November 19th, 2020] – Today Anthem Records released global icon José Feliciano’s newly reimagined re-recording of his bilingual hit holiday song, “Feliz Navidad” titled “Feliz Navidad 50th Anniversary (FN50)”. Produced by Grammy award-winning international producer, Rudy Pérez, José and 30 artists and celebrities from around the world remotely joined forces to create this special celebratory track of his timeless holiday classic. See below for the full star-studded list of guest artists and celebrities. The Amazon Original “Feliz Navidad 50th Anniversary (FN50)” is available now exclusively on Amazon Music.
STREAM/PURCHASE “FELIZ NAVIDAD 50th ANNIVERSARY (FN50)” ON AMAZON MUSIC HERE
The roster of artists performing (in order of first appearance) on “Feliz Navidad 50th Anniversary (FN50)” include: José Feliciano, CNCO, Isabela Merced, Shaggy, Jon Secada, Jason Mraz, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rachael Ray, Gloria Gaynor, Big & Rich, Michael Bolton, Los Temerarios, Emmanuel, Isabella Castillo, Jencarlos Canela, Pitingo, Patricia Manterola, Jesus Molina, La India, Julio Iglesias Jr., Tony Carreira, Bertin Osborne, Pablo Montero, El Dasa, Nikki Vianna, Adam Irigoyen, Gord Bamford, Leo Dan, Frankie J, Sam Moore, and Styx.
On the release, José Feliciano said: “It’s hard to believe I’ve been singing ‘Feliz Navidad’ for 50 years. I am overwhelmed with the generosity of spirit and passion that all my friends have put into this track and I am grateful that this song continues to unify people around the world. I want to give a special thank you for the unequivocal love and dedication from my friend Rudy Perez, who has produced some of my favorite Grammy award-winning albums over the years. I would also like to thank Helen Murphy and the entire team at Anthem Records who have championed me for the last several years and made this amazing celebration possible. Feliz Navidad, everyone!”
Rudy Perez added: "I'm very grateful to Helen Murphy and Anthem Records for the privilege and honor to produce such an incredible event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the beloved Christmas classic ‘Feliz Navidad’. It is humbling to be doing this project in collaboration with my mentor, the legendary José Feliciano, who gave me my first break as a songwriter and producer. This new version of ‘Feliz Navidad’ crosses genres and generations and the global superstars who came together for the track delivered amazing performances full of passion and joy bringing the Christmas spirit to us all."
“Feliz Navidad is the greatest bilingual Christmas song of all time. This iconic new single will continue the legacy of José’s original Christmas classic for another 50 years. The track is infectious and full of joy and love. José Feliciano is a cultural icon and a national treasure,” commented Helen Murphy, CEO, Anthem Entertainment. “We hope this song brings happiness to all as we enter the Holiday season.”
Also released today is “José Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad 50th Anniversary” the first ever animated video available now exclusively on Prime Video and new hardcover editions of the illustrated children’s book “José Feliciano's Feliz Navidad 50th Anniversary”, available in English and Spanish [HERE].The video, based on the book, takes readers through the journey of three children; Marie from Paris, Xavier from New York, and Camila from Puerto Rico. In anticipation of Christmas Day, the children follow the music of superhero José Feliciano singing Feliz Navidad to people gathering from all over to hear the true meaning of Christmas. The video first made its debut at the Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) alongside the new documentary “José Feliciano: Behind This Guitar” (awarded Best Hispanic Film at NaFF). Watch the video HERE.
In addition, beginning December 1, 2020, Amazon customers will also be able to interact with José through Alexa with voice. Customers can ask questions like, “Alexa, tell me about the song ‘Feliz Navidad’,” or “Alexa, what is José Feliciano’s favorite holiday memory?” and hear a recorded response from José Feliciano himself.
The milestone occasion will also be celebrated with the launch of the official Feliz Navidad 50th Amazon Storefront featuring the exclusive FN50 branded merchandise line available now. The merchandise is based on the new classic book “José Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad” and introduces the world to José bear. With a range of great holiday gifts for the entire family, the line includes a special 50th Anniversary edition stuffed José teddy bear, the children’s book, holiday apparel and much more. View the “Feliz Navidad 50th Anniversary (FN50)” merchandise store amazon.com/feliznavidad50th
All assets available HERE
ABOUT “FELIZ NAVIDAD”
Written and performed by José Feliciano, “Feliz Navidad” is one of the best-selling holiday songs of all time. The evergreen song was originally recorded with producer Rick Jarrard in October 1970 and released one month later in November 1970 on RCA Records. Surprisingly, the song first hit the charts in 1998 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and then charted again in 2017, an astounding 47 years after its original release. After it landed on the Hot 100 again in 2019, Forbes declared it’s the “gift that keeps on giving.” ASCAP recognized “Feliz Navidad” as one of the top 25 most played and recorded Christmas songs around the world. A seemingly endless list of artists across all genres has covered the iconic song, including Céline Dion, Garth Brooks, Chicago, The Three Tenors, Michael Bublé featuring Thalia, Gwen Stefani & Mon Laferte, Kacey Musgraves, and many more. “Without my friend Rick at my side, we might not have had ‘Feliz Navidad’,” said Feliciano.
ABOUT JOSÉ FELICIANO:
José Feliciano is a beloved singer/songwriter/guitarist and nine-time GRAMMY Award Winner, including a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to music. The Puerto Rican-born artist is known for his many international hits, including his rendition of The Doors’ “Light My Fire,” “Che Sarà,” “La Copa Rota,” “Por Qué Te Tengo Que Olvidar?” the theme song, “Chico and The Man” from the hit television show, and his rendition of “California Dreamin” which was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s acclaimed film, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and went on to be one of the most streamed tracks from its soundtrack.
José’s most recent album, Behind This Guitar released earlier this year on Anthem Records, joins his 60-plus albums in an incredible discography, solidifying José’s revered standing with critics and fans alike. The Miami Herald noted songs such as “I’m America” “fits Feliciano as well as any of the hundreds of songs he has recorded”; Guitar Player raved the album “is an energetic and soulful eight-song set,” Billboard commented on its “authentic melodies,” and People Magazine aptly stated in an extensive feature, “once again, he’s in the midst of a resurgence.” Take a listen to José’s full album here, watch the video for his version of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” here and his patriotic love letter to the U.S. “I’m America” here.
ABOUT RUDY PÉREZ: Rudy Pérez is an International Songwriter, Producer, Arranger, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist. During the last 30 years, he has composed over 1,000 songs with over 300 of them leading to #1 or top ten hits. Pérez was named Producer of the Decade by Billboard Magazine for having more top ten hits than any other Producer from 2000-2010—more than any other Latin Producer in their history. He is also the first Latin record producer to win the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks Producer of the Year for four consecutive years. A recipient of over 500 certified Gold and Platinum album awards, five Grammy awards, 19 Grammy nominations and five ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards, Pérez has been called by industry leaders, “the Producer, Songwriter with the Midas touch”. He is one of the founders of the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (LARAS), the Latin Grammys and Co-Founder of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also currently sits on the global Board of Directors of ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers), President of Spirit Music Group Miami, as well as the Classical Crossover Director of the Miami Symphony Orchestra MISO.
Pérez has written and produced tracks for artists including Beyoncé, Julio Iglesias, Christina Aguilera, Il Divo, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Luis Miguel, José Feliciano, Marc Anthony, Jon Secada, Cyndi Lauper, Roberto Carlos, Los Temerarios, Juan Gabriel, Alejandro Fernández, Marco Antonio Solís, José Luis Rodriguez (El Puma) Alexandre Pires, Arturo Sandoval, Chayene, Luis Fonsi, Dima Bilan, Leonid Agutin and Jaci Velasquez, Juan Luis Guerra among many more.