Legendary Singer and Songwriter José Feliciano to be Presented with Roberto Clemente Foundation’s Essence of Roberto Lifetime Achievement Award
San Juan, PR
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September 15, 2022 04:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time
The Roberto Clemente Foundation, in partnership with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, Pittsburgh Pirates and Clemente Museum, today announced it will present the organization’s inaugural Essence of Roberto Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary singer, songwriter José Feliciano. Feliciano will receive the award this Friday, September 16 at a ceremony at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The program will also recognize previous Roberto Clemente Award winners and include a musical tribute by Puerto Rican pianist and composer Adlan Cruz.
José Feliciano is synonymous with an international presence that has influenced popular music for more than two generations. His work has bridged musical styles in a way that has never been equaled. Feliciano is recognized as the first Latin Artist to cross over into the English music market having firmly established himself there for over 50 years.
“Roberto Clemente has always, always been my personal hero and when I learned his Award would bear my name, I just couldn’t believe it. I still can’t. I am so honored and grateful. Thank you,” said José Feliciano.
“José Feliciano’s commitment to the betterment of humanity represents the essence of of the Clemente family,” said Roberto Clemente, Jr.
“His music is timeless, transcending traditional boundaries of the industry and paving the way for future generations. His work, both as an artist and as a person, is an example for the world. We can think of no better person to present with the first Roberto Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Luis Clemente.
The Roberto Clemente Family and Roberto Clemente Foundation are celebrating 50th anniversary events in 2022 and 2023 in recognition and commemoration of the 50th anniversaries of Roberto’s 3,000th hit, his final games, his untimely passing and his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame which will allow the public and generations of fans and communities to share in the milestone anniversaries.
September 15 marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month and Roberto Clemente Day throughout Major League Baseball, which will be highlighted by the Mets – Pirates game at Citi Field. All players, managers and coaches on the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Club for which Roberto played his entire Hall of Fame career, will once again wear Roberto’s “21” on their uniforms as will all players, managers and coaches on the Mets. José Feliciano will perform renditions of the United States and Puerto Rico national anthem in pre-game ceremonies.
2022 marks the 50th anniversary of when the Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star tragically died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. The Clemente Award winners will also be recognized during a special pregame ceremony that will include members of the Clemente family.
On September 30, the 50th anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th hit, Cardinals Care, the St. Louis Cardinals charitable foundation, is partnering with Roberto Clemente Award recipients Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright to raise funds for the Roberto Clemente Foundation. A pregame check presentation ceremony will take place at Busch Stadium in St. Louis that will include members of the Clemente family, who will accept the donation on behalf of the Roberto Clemente Foundation.
ABOUT THE ROBERTO CLEMENTE FOUNDATION
The Roberto Clemente Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded to honor and perpetuate the legacy, legend and courage and character of Roberto and Vera Clemente. The Foundation maintains the values which Roberto embodied on and off the field of hard work, faith, love, service and helping those less fortunate. The Foundation promotes sport and play, particularly through baseball and softball and has conducted numerous clinics with several partners. In addition to hospital and school visits, the Foundation provides college scholarships, led disaster relief efforts, military and veteran support initiatives, conducts equipment drives and supports the Clemente Cup for NAIA and Division III college baseball teams. For more information visit www.robertoclementefoundation.com
ABOUT THE ESSENCE OF ROBERTO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Essence of Roberto Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual, company, or organization whose humanitarian efforts embody the values of Roberto Clemente and whose contributions have made a long-lasting and significant impact.
ABOUT JOSE FELICIANO
José Feliciano has been acclaimed by critics around the world as “The Greatest Living Guitarist.” He’s been awarded over 45 Gold and Platinum records; he has won 19 Grammy nominations, earning nine Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and the LARAS Award for Lifetime Achievement. Feliciano’s musical career was immortalized with a Star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame and New York City honored him by re-naming Public School 155 in East Harlem, “The José Feliciano Performing Arts School.” The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, an ancient and prestigious Papal Order of the Church, has Knighted him. José has received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, for his musical and humanitarian contributions to the world. His music has been featured on television, film, and on the stage, around the world. Born blind in Lares, Puerto Rico, José came to New York as a child, and launched hismeteoric career in Greenwich Village. Over 50 years later, despite all his success, he remains humble, insisting that he has just started to share his talents with the world.
Contact Details
The Roberto Clemente Foundation
Tom Brasuell
+1 917-681-0344
tombrasuell@robertoclemente21.org
Company Website
