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Three Generations of Musical Talent Under
One Roof
He may be The Prince of Song, but when it comes to his role as caregiver, Mexican recording icon José José, 54, is no different from many of us. The father of five is a prime example of the "sandwich generation," presiding over a Miami household that includes the singer's 92-year-old mother, his wife, and their three young daughters. In an exclusive interview with AARP Segunda Juventud, the singer reflected on hi>s career, his family, and dreams yet unrealized. 2003 is a milestone for José José, marking his 40th year in show business. Few careers have spawned as much international acclaim in the arenas of recording, television, film, and personal appearances. Although he has sold over 40 million records worldwide, he was genuinely humble and soft-spoken in our interview. Forty years, he says, have gone by "like the blink of an eye." He adds, "At 54, I'm quite healthy, and still have a lot to give. But not a day goes by that I don't thank God for my career,"
The singer's father, José Sosa Esquivel, was a tenor with the Mexican National Opera. His mother, Margarita Ortiz, was a concert pianist. That young José would develop a passion for music was hardly surprising, given his lineage. But in a story not unlike the classic Al Jolson film, The Jazz Singer, the younger Sosa's preference for popular romantic ballads over classical music was an ongoing source of tension between father and son. While still in high school, the young Sosa sang professionally with a trio, and by age 17, cut his first single. Appearances on Mexican television, and a recording contract soon followed. By the end of the 1960s, Sosa was a sensation in his native Mexico, changing his name to José José as a tribute to his father after the latter passed away. In time, José José was performing before sellout audiences in Mexico, South and Central America, and the United States. Influenced by his teenage favorites, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis, José José's romantic crossings, accompanied by rich orchestrations, launched a new musical genre, the "International Latin Ballad." With signature hits, such as Amar y querer, La nave del olvido, and El triste, the singer amassed an impressive nine Grammy nominations, dozens of gold and platinum records, as well as the sobriquet The Prince of Song. In addition to countless spots on television variety shows, José José has starred in several motion pictures and received numerous awards, such as Billboard's Latin Entertainer of the Year. His proudest achievement, however, is not the adoration of crowds, but the strong and stable family life he now enjoys. It wasn't always so. Years of grueling concert tours took a toll on José José's personal life. His first marriage failed-as did a second-although it did produce a son, José,and a daughter, Marysol. "I work hard to combine all the family, since the older children live in Mexico. My son is a professional actor and singer. And my older daughter is a vocal teacher and composer. We all get along very well," says José José. Married since 1995 to Sara Salazar, the mother of his three youngest daughters Celine, Monique and Sarita, the singer says he has finally found true happiness. Of his wife, who also serves as his manager, José José has these words of devotion: "Sara is the light of the household and the light of my life." But it's in speaking of his mother that the singer's voice fills with emotion. "I am helping my mother because she is my best friend. After my father died, she was my support. She pushed me early on in my career, and in many ways, I owe my success to her. Now, she is getting very old, and she needs me." Ever the dutiful son, the singer watches over his mom carefully. "She has a pretty healthy routine. She takes a walk every day, and has a pretty good appetite," he says. If there is one thing Margarita Ortiz instilled in her son, it was a sense of loyalty to family, and to his family-at-large, the entire community that has supported his career. The singer's gratitude is heartfelt. "I thank God every day for the Hispanic people. I know they are the ones who have stood by me, bought my records, and given me this wonderful success," he says. It is a goal of José José's to bring young Hispanic artists into his "show business family." Says the singer, "The beginning of a career is the most difficult part. So, if I can help young people by performing their songs, and bringing them to the attention of the music publishers and record labels, that's great." The singer also tries to "give back" to his family-at-large, by helping needy communities in crisis. He has performed in benefit concerts for causes as varied as the victims of the Mexico City earthquake to the We are the World artists campaign for famine relief. The singer's professional and humanitarian accomplishments have been rewarded with keys to the cities of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas, among others. To celebrate his 40th year in show business, José José will mount an ambitious concert tour, with performances throughout Mexico, as well as San Juan, Caracas, Los Angeles, and New York. A new album is due out in November; another one is slated for December. The latter will be a family affair, featuring duets with his seven-year-old daughter Sarita, who may take part in the concert tour with dad. He laughs mischievously. "You might say that I have a lot going on. It's been 40 years, but this old guy doesn't plan to slow down any time soon." Judging from all José José is involved in-career, family, and community-one cannot help but agree.
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