As a child, he took boxing lessons at a school which shared space with Spanish dancers. When he was 9, he saw Pilar López and José Greco perform, and decided to become a dancer. His father had been imprisoned for three years during the Spanish Civil War, and now worked in a fish market. He was strongly opposed to his son's plans, but José's mother approved on the condition that he pay for his classes by working in the fish market. José took classes in neo-classical Spanish dance, escuela bolera, ballet, and flamenco. From age 16 to 19, he toured nightclubs in Europe and the Middle East as a flamenco and classical Spanish dance soloist, accompanied by piano and orchestra.