"El Mundo" and "Mi Vida" were the songs featured on his first single, released in 1965. Around the same time, José José joined los Peg, playing double bass. "Nave del Olvido" became his first hit in 1969, and he won the OTI festival a year later with a song called "El Triste." He then climbed the most important Latin charts with "De Pueblo en Pueblo," 1973's "Hasta Que Vuelvas," 1974's "Déjame Conocerte," 1975's "Sentimientos," 1976's "Paloma," and the 1977 smash "Gavilan o Paloma,."

José José's acting career began with Sueño de Amor and La Carrera del Millón. In the early '80s, while becoming a major-venue performer, talented composer Manuel Alejandro produced Secretos, which sold over four-million copies worldwide. Reflexiones followed in 1984. Roberto Livi produced 40, 20 in Miami and Los Angeles, and José José promoted the album with shows around America, including New York's Madison Square Garden and Chicago's Pavillion. In 1994, José José celebrated his 30th career anniversary. ~ Drago Bonacich