Think you know everything about the legendary José Feliciano?

Think again.

The blind guitar virtuoso and voice behind the timeless holiday hit “Feliz Navidad” has a life story packed with twists, triumphs, and trivia that even die-hard fans might have missed.

From shocking career risks to hidden talents, here are five little-known facts about José Feliciano that will make you see him in a whole new light.

1. He Played Guitar for The Doors (Almost)

Picture this: It’s 1968, and The Doors are scrambling to replace guitarist Robby Krieger for a gig.

Who do they call?

José Feliciano.

Though the collaboration never materialized, Jim Morrison himself was reportedly a fan of Feliciano’s fiery flamenco-inspired style.

Imagine how different “Light My Fire” might have sounded with José’s Latin flair!

2. His National Anthem Performance Caused a Firestorm

Long before Beyoncé or Lady Gaga put their spin on “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Feliciano’s soulful, slow-tempo rendition at the 1968 World Series sparked national outrage.

Purists called it “disrespectful,” but the controversy backfired—it shot his career into the stratosphere.

Fun fact: That performance marked the first time the anthem was sung with a guitar accompaniment at a major sporting event.

3. He Was a Child Prodigy… With a Twist

Blind since birth, Feliciano taught himself guitar at age six using a coffee can as his first instrument.

By nine, he was performing professionally in Puerto Rico.

But here’s the kicker: his first paid gig earned him exactly $3.

Not bad for a fourth grader who couldn’t even see his audience!

4. “Feliz Navidad” Was Almost Never Released

The song that earns him royalties every December almost didn’t make it out of the studio.

Record execs thought the Spanglish lyrics were “too risky” for American audiences.

Feliciano fought to keep it, and today it’s one of the most played holiday songs in history—with over 1.5 million airplays annually.

5. He Voiced a Spider-Man Villain

In a bizarre career pivot, Feliciano lent his voice to the 1990s “Spider-Man” animated series as the villainous Blind Al.

Yes, a blind musician playing a blind supervillain—talk about type-casting!

From nearly joining The Doors to revolutionizing how we hear the national anthem, José Feliciano’s career proves that true artistry knows no boundaries.

Which fact surprised you most?

Hit share and tag a friend who thinks they know music trivia—chances are, they’ve never heard these stories!