Jose Feliciano protests use of his ‘Feliz Navidad’ for musical spoof about illegal immigrants

Singer Feliciano protests ‘Feliz Navidad’ parody

NEW YORK — Grammy-winner Jose Feliciano has gotten an apology after accusing a pair of radio producers of trashing the spirit of Christmas by using his popular holiday song, “Feliz Navidad,” for a racist musical spoof about undocumented immigrants.

Feliciano released a statement Wednesday saying that he was “revolted beyond words” and that the song was never meant to be “a vehicle for a political platform of racism and hate.”

“When I wrote and composed ‘Feliz Navidad,’ I chose to sing in both English and Spanish in order to create a bridge between two wonderful cultures during the time of year in which we hope for goodwill toward all,” the Puerto Rico-born singer said.

The parody, titled “The Illegal Alien Christmas Song,” was created by radio producers and writers Matt Fox and A.J. Rice and was posted in mid-December on the Web site for Human Events, a Washington-based conservative weekly publication founded in 1944.

Web site editor Jed Babbin apologized Wednesday and said the song would be removed from the site. The link to the song’s page was no longer available by Thursday.

“We regret any offense that Mr. Feliciano may have taken from this parody,” Babbin said in an e-mail sent to The Associated Press.

One passage from the parody, sung in English, riffed on the stereotype of Latino immigrants as heavy drinkers, while another said “illegals” were going to “spread bubonic plague.”

Born in Lares, Puerto Rico, in 1945, Feliciano was raised in New York City and wrote “Feliz Navidad” in 1970. It is one of the most popular Christmas songs in the world.