Born in Havana, he began his musical career at the age of 17, performing with Julio Gutierrez Y Su Orquesta, singing ballads and playing the conga. During the 1950s, he began co-hosting a nightly radio program, "A Solas Contigo", with the wildly popular singers Elena Burke and Meme Solís. He was also married for a time to the singer and dancer Olga Chaviano; the couple had two children together. During the '60s, Garcia was swept up by the booming musical style of "feeling" -a blend of American jazz, blues and Spanish balladry- and became one of its most well-known stars. Garcia recorded 39 records and was also an established musical composer. His songs were performed by many of Latin music's greats, and two were recorded by musical legend Celia Cruz, according to his daughter, Tere Angel. Garcia came to the United States in 1968, where he continued to flourish as a performer and radio personality. For two decades he hosted the Saturday evening program Feelings with Luis Garcia on Radio Mambí - "the No. 1 show on Saturdays for 18 years," his daughter said. In 1996, he opened the nightclub El Rincón del Feeling, on Flagler Street, where he also performed on weekends. Luis Garcia died September 14, 2004.