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A photo of Jose Jose by Gabriel –

Top 10 facts about Jose Jose

José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz was born on 17 February 1948 and died on 28 September 2019. He was known professionally as José José. Jose Jose was a Mexican singer and actor. He found success as a solo artist in the early 1970s.

Demonstrating his tenor vocal ability with a stunning performance of the song “El Triste” at a Latin music festival held in Mexico City in 1970, he climbed the Latin charts during that decade. In the article are the top ten facts about José José.

1. In the 1970s José José found success as a solo artist

He demonstrated his tenor vocal ability with a stunning performance of the song “El Triste” at a Latin music festival held in Mexico City in 1970. He then climbed the Latin charts during that decade. Having achieved recognition as a balladeer, his singing garnered universal critical acclaim from musical peers and the media. Success was then clinging onto his door.

2. Ariola Records records marketed him to the outside world

Ariola is a German record label. In the late 1980s, it was a subsidiary label of the Bertelsmann Music Group, which in turn has become a part of the international media conglomerate Sony Music Entertainment.

In the 1980s, after signing with Ariola Records, José rose to international prominence as one of the most popular and talented Latin performers. His 1983 album Secretos has sold over twenty-five million units.

With many international hits, he received several Grammy nominations and recognition worldwide. He sold out in Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall venues. His music reached non-Spanish-speaking countries like Japan, Israel and Russia.

3. He was considered the most emblematic and best Latin singer of all the times

A photo of Jose Jose by Jjorgemiami –

Due to his vocals and popularity, José José was considered by Latin audiences and media an icon of Latin pop music and one of the most emblematic and best Latin singers of all time.

Beloved by his fans in Mexico and abroad, his death was marked by many difficulties and grudges among his children, including the fact that his body wasn’t readily available to be seen and the rumour that his youngest daughter was plotting to keep his fortune to herself and her husband.

4. José Sosa Esquivel ws his father!

José Sosa Esquivel was a Mexican tenor.In 1953, he played the roles of Prince Vasiliy Ivanovich Shuysky and Yurodivy in Boris Godunov, next to Nicola Rossi-Lemeni.

In 1954, he participated in the inauguration of the Virginia Fábregas Theatre, singing the title role in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, and in 1958 at the world premiere of the “Cantata Homage to Juarez”, by Blas Galindo, at the Degollado Theatre.

He sang in productions like L’elisir d’amore, La traviata, Madama Butterfly in the roles of Pinkerton and Goro, Pagliacci in the role of Beppe, Mefistofele, Trionfo di Afrodite -at its premiere in Mexico-, Orphée aux Enfers, Tosca as Spoletta, L’amore dei tre re, Fedora, Andrea Chénier, L’amico Fritz, Carmina Burana and La bohème.

5. When did his interest in singing start?

It is not indicated when Jose Jose showed interest in singing. However, this happened before his father abandoned his family. When José showed interest in singing, they tried to discourage him claiming that it was too difficult to be successful in show business.

At the age of fifteen, his mother gave him his first piano. Besides working in his teens, he learned to play the guitar and sang in the church and serenades along with his neighbourhood friends for extra money.

6. José José was his first album

Jose Jose made a breakthrough in his artistic career when he was invited to perform a song for a friend’s sister on her birthday. His friend’s sister was the executive secretary for the managing director of Orfeón Records.

He joined his first name “José” with his father’s first name Jose. He then signed a contract with RCA Victor and recorded his first album: José José which is also known as Cuidado. The album featured songs by Rubén Fuentes and Armando Manzanero.

7. La nave del olvido was Jose Jose’s first big hit in Mexico and Latin America

La Nave Del Olvido which means “The ship of oblivion” is the title of the studio album released by Mexican singer José José in 1970. La nave del Olvido” became his first big hit in Mexico and Latin America.

The album combined the talent of composers such as Armando Manzanero, Rubén Fuentes, Dino Ramos and Nacho González, among others. Furthermore, the large orchestras of Chucho Ferrer and Magallanes gave a unique touch to the production. With this album, he earned a gold and platinum disc for its high sales.

8. He started drinking at the age of 15

José said that he started drinking at the age of fifteen when his alcoholic father left home. As a result of his alcoholism, he developed a cocaine habit. He stated that his addiction was because he “was frail, weak, innocent, ignorant, weak-willed and did not know how to say no.

His ongoing battle against alcoholism continued during the 1970s and 1980s. He attended AA meetings and stopped drinking for periods, but fell steadily back into the addiction. After his divorce from Anel in 1991, he reached his lowest point, reportedly declaring that he wanted to die drinking.

With the help of his friends, family and fellow artists, he decided to go to rehab. He went to the Hazelden clinic in Minnesota for rehab and remained a sober recovering alcoholic.

9. Jose Jose was once in a big financial crisis

In later years, José made his financial problems public. Despite being one of the most recognized Latin artists for decades, his alcoholism caused him a serious monetary loss. His career declined when he lost his vocal ability, stopping income from live performances.

He claimed that during his career he was constantly defrauded by people close to him, including his former wife Anel and her brother. In November 2008, his wife suffered a cerebral haemorrhage, José stated that the medical bills nearly caused him to go bankrupt.

10. He was married thrice throughout his life

In 1970 he started a relationship with TV hostess, actress, and model Ana Elena Noreña, known in show business as Anel. That year they split and he married Natalia “Kiki” Herrera Calles, a socialite 20 years older.

He separated from Herrera and returned to Anel shortly after. He divorced Herrera in 1975 and married Anel in 1976. They had two children: their first-born José Francisco who is also known as José Joél who was born in 1975, and their daughter Marysol Estrella, born in 1982.

In 1991 he divorced Anel. Four years later, he married Sara “Sarita” Salazar, his third wife. The same year during a Latin American tour, his third child Sara was born. He lived in Miami, Florida, with his wife.