Jose Feliciano celebrity print 1973

Summary

This concrete handprint was formerly located as a part of the iconic McEwans celebrity pavement. Between 1972 and 1994, scores of celebrities had their handprints and footprints immortalised in cement at the entrance to the McEwans hardware store on Bourke Street. The City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection acquired a number of these impressed concrete slabs from the original celebrity pavement in 2005.

"José Feliciano (born 1945) is a Puerto Rican-born singer, songwriter and musician. His style blended folk, pop and Latin beats, and he is credited as the first classical guitarist to cross over to the pop/rock scene. His breakout hit came in 1968 with his version of The Doors’ ‘Light My Fire’. ‘Feliz Navidad’ from his 1970 album is one of the most played Christmas songs of all time. Feliciano was in Melbourne in August 1973 to perform at Festival Hall as part of his Australian tour." - Robyn Annear, 2023