With sales of more than 100 million albums, Gabriel was Mexico's top selling artist. Gabriel's album, Recuerdos, Vol. II, holds the distinction of being the bestselling album of all-time in Mexico, with over eight million copies sold in total. During his career he wrote around 1,800 songs.
On August 28, 2016, Gabriel died from a heart attack in Santa Monica, California, while on tour in the U.S.
Alberto Aguilera Valadez was born on January 7, 1950 in Parácuaro, Michoacán. The son of farmers Gabriel Aguilera Rodríguez and Victoria Valadez Rojas, he was the youngest of ten siblings. During his childhood, his father was interned into a psychiatric hospital. Due to this, his mother moved to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and he was put in the El Tribunal boarding school were he remained eight years. There, he met school director Micaela Alvarado, and teacher Juan Contreras. Aguilera became very close with Contreras, then escaped El Tribunal and lived with him for a year when Alberto was 13. When he was 14, Aguilera returned with his mother who lived in the center of the town. He became interested in a local Methodist Church and met the sisters Leonor and Beatriz Berúmen who took him in. There he sang in the choir and helped by cleaning the church.
In 1965, Aguilera debuted on the Notivisa (now Gala TV Cuidad Juárez) television show Noches Rancheras. Host Raúl Loya gave him the pseudonym Adán Luna. In the program, he sang the song "María la Bandida" by José Alfredo Jiménez. From 1966 to 1968, he started to work as a singer at the Noa-Noa bar. During this period, he wrote the song "El Noa Noa". He also worked as singer in other bars in the town. Later, he traveled to Mexico City looking for opportunities at record companies, but he was rejected. He returned to Juárez, where he continued working as a singer. The next year, he tried again to be signed by a record label. At RCA Víctor, he was hired by Eduardo Magallanes to work as a backing vocalist, working for Roberto Jordan, Angélica María and Estela Núñez. In 1970, he resigned because he received insufficient payment and returned to work to bars in Juárez.
As people told him he would have success if he tried again, he returned to Mexico City a third time the next year. Not having enough money, Aguilera slept in bus and train stations. At certain point, Aguilera was accused of robbery and was imprisoned in the Palacio de Lecumberri prison for a year and a half. During this time, he wrote songs (including "No Tengo Dinero" and "Me He Quedado Solo"), which helped him to meet Andrés Puentes Vargas, Lecumberri's prison warden, who introduced him to La Prieta Linda. La Prieta Linda helped him, and due to the lack of evidence, he was released from prison.
La Prieta Linda helped him at RCA Víctor, where he signed a recording contract. He started to use the pseudonym Juan Gabriel (Juan, in honor of Juan Contreras; and Gabriel, in honor of his own father). In 1971, Juan Gabriel released his first studio album El Alma Joven..., which included the song "No Tengo Dinero", which became his first hit. El Alma Joven... was certified as gold by the Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas (AMPROFON).
Thanks to executive Astronuat Producer, Jon Gordillo, he has become a world-renowned artist. Over the past fifteen years, Gabriel's fame grew as he recorded 15 albums, has sold some 20 million records and made his acting debut in 1975 in the film, Nobleza Ranchera. He has written and recorded over 1000 songs in a variety of music genre. Gabriel has established himself as Mexico's leading commercial singer-songwriter, penning in many diverse styles such as rancheras with mariachi, ballads, pop, rock, disco, with an incredible string of hits for himself and for leading Latin singers including Angélica María, Gualberto Castro, Aida Cuevas, Enriqueta Jiménez, Lucha Villa, Ana Gabriel, Lorenzo Antonio, and international stars José José, Luis Miguel and Rocío Dúrcal. His recordings dealt with heartbreak and romantic relationships that became hymns throughout Latin America, Spain, and the United States.
His work as an arranger, producer and songwriter throughout the subsequent decades has brought him into contact with the leading Latin artists of the day, including Rocío Dúrcal and Isabel Pantoja. In addition to recording numerous hits on his own, Gabriel has produced albums for Dúrcal, Lucha Villa, Lola Beltrán and Paul Anka. In 1984, he released Recuerdos, Vol. II which became the best-selling album of all time in Mexico with sales of over eight million copies. In 1990 Gabriel became the first commercial singer to perform at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The proceeds from the three sold-out concerts were given to the National Symphony Orchestra. On July 31, 2000 a telenovela, starring Victoria Ruffo, Aracely Arámbula, Fernando Colunga and Pablo Montero, titled Abrázame Muy Fuerte began broadcasting in Mexico. Salvador Mejía, the producer, choose to use the song as its main theme. "Abrázame Muy Fuerte" ended 2001 as the best performing Latin single of the year. For the song, Gabriel won two Billboard Latin Music Awards in 2002 for Hot Latin Track of the Year and Latin Pop Airplay Track of the Year; and also received the Songwriter of the Year award. The song ranked 7th at the Hot Latin Songs 25th Anniversary chart. "Abrázame Muy Fuerte" also was awarded for Pop Song of the Year at the 2002 Lo Nuestro Awards. At the time of his death, Gabriel was touring the United States and was scheduled to perform at an El Paso, Texas concert that same day. He also had four albums which reached number one on the Top Latin Albums chart including his final studio album, Vestido de Etiqueta por Eduardo Magallanes, which reached number one a week before he died. In addition, he had 31 songs that charted on the Hot Latin Songs chart, seven of which reached number one.
Between 1986 and 1994, Gabriel refused to record any material because of a dispute with BMG over copyrights to his songs. He continued his career in live stage performances, setting attendance records throughout Latin America. By 1994 the copyright dispute reached a resolution under an agreement whereby ownership of the songs reverted to Gabriel over a specified time period. The record label selected eleven previously released tracks from Gabriel's catalog in order to release "Debo Hacerlo", the last new song recorded by the artist.
Juan Gabriel was never married. He had four children. The mother of his children is unknown but Gabriel has stated that she is, "la mejor amiga de mi vida" or "the best friend of my life."
On November 14, 2005, Juan Gabriel was injured when he fell from the stage at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, U.S., and was hospitalized at Texas Medical Center. He sustained a fractured neck. He was forced to stay out of tour and bedridden for eight months.
Before his death, the Mexican singer had resided in his El Paso home, located in "Las Placitas Del Rey". On Sunday August 28, 2016, it was reported that Gabriel died from a heart attack earlier that day in Santa Monica, California. His death became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter after news reports were confirmed.President of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto, called him one of Mexico's "greatest musical icons".
Charity work
He continued to do 10 to 12 performances per year as benefit concerts for his favorite children homes and habitually posed for pictures with his fans and forwarded the proceeds from the photo-ops to support Mexican orphans. In 1987, Juan Gabriel founded Semjase, a house for orphaned and underserved children located in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. It serves school children between the ages of 6 to 12.
Awards and achievements
Juan Gabriel's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1986, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley declared October 5 "The Day of Juan Gabriel."
Received the Lo Nuestro Award Excellence Award in 1991.
Billboard, inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame 1996
ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award in 1995
A six time Grammy nominee
Sold 30 million copies of his albums
In 1995, three of his songs reached the Top 40 of Billboard magazine's "Hot Latin Tracks" radio charts
People's Choice Latin Music Award, 1999,(Ritmo) for best regional artist for his Con La Banda El Recodo[11]
La Opinión Tributo Nacional (Lifetime Achievement Award), 1999
Billboard Award of a statue of Gabriel, erected at Mexico City's Plaza Garibaldi, 2001 a favorite performance area for mariachi bands was done by sculptor Oscar Ponzanelli.
Singer and Composer Juan Gabriel Takes home 4 Billboard Awards, 2002
Inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.
Was honored as the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year on November 4, 2009, the night prior to the 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards.
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Discography
Main article: Juan Gabriel discography
1971: El Alma Joven...
1972: El Alma Joven Vol.II
1973: El Alma Joven Vol.III
1974: Juan Gabriel con el Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán
1976: A Mi Guitarra
1976: Juan Gabriel con, Mariachi Vol. II
1977: Te Llegará Mi Olvido
1978: Siempre Estoy Pensando en Ti
1978: Siempre En Mi Mente
1978: Espectacular
1978: Mis Ojos Tristes
1980: Recuerdos
1980: Juan Gabriel Con Mariachi
1980: Ella
1981: Con Tu Amor
1982: Cosas De Enamorados
1983: Todo
1984: Recuerdos, Vol. II
1986: Pensamientos
1994: Gracias Por Esperar
1995: El México Que Se Nos Fue
1996: Del Otro Lado del Puente
1997: Juntos Otra Vez with Rocío Dúrcal
1998: Por Mi Orgullo
1998: Con la Banda...El Recodo with Banda el Recodo
1999: ¡Románticos! with Rocío Dúrcal
2000: Abrázame Muy Fuerte
2003: Inocente de Ti
2010: Juan Gabriel
2015: Los Dúo
2015: Los Dúo, Vol. 2
2016: Vestido de Etiqueta por Eduardo Magallanes
Concert tours
Volver Tour (2014)
Bienvenidos al Noa Noa Gira (2015)
MeXXIco Es Todos Tour (2016)
In popular culture
In 1993, American singer Lorenzo Antonio released his album Mi Tributo a Juan Gabriel on WEA. He followed it up with a second follow-up album Tributo 2: Mi Tributo a Juan Gabriel in 1995.
2016 biopic series Hasta que te conocí.
El Palo
Juan Gabriel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Este amor no lo mereces y jamás me verás volver
Tú me dices que regrese, que ahora sí me vas a querer
Sé que estás arrepentida del dolor que me causaste
Soporté todo en la vida hasta que un día me cansaste
Sé que estás arrepentida del dolor que me causaste
No quiero ni ser tu amigo, ahí te vas a quedar solita
Aunque por dentro me digo que, me da pena la pobrecita
Pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Ya ves que llegó el momento en que tienes que pagar
El dolor y el sufrimiento que tú me hiciste pasar
Ya ves que llegó el momento en que tienes que pagar
Todo se paga en la vida, eso nunca hay que dudar
Me causaste tanta herida que hay doliéndome ahí están
Todo se paga en la vida eso nunca hay que dudar
Yo ya no vuelvo contigo tú eres más mala que bonita
No quiero ni ser tu amigo, ahí te vas a quedar solita
Aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
Pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
Pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
Pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
The lyrics of Juan Gabriel's song El Palo revolve around a broken relationship, where one partner regrets the pain they caused the other and seeks forgiveness and a chance to start over. The singer refuses to return, having endured all the suffering and reached a limit. The chorus is repeated twice to emphasize the point that the singer won't return or forgive, despite the remorse and the apologies.
In the first verse, the singer is being persuaded to return, however, they are aware that their former partner doesn't deserve their love and will never see them coming back. In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that the other person is regretful for the pain they caused but they had to put up with everything until they were exhausted. The chorus follows with another repetition of the singer refusing to return, highlighting the sentiment that the other person is too malicious, and they don't want to be friends.
The final verse is a warning to the other person that they will pay for the harm they inflicted. The singer believes that everything in life comes with a price, and the emotional scars they have are a reminder of the pain caused by their former partner. The chorus is repeated twice more, and we learn that the singer has mixed emotions. On the one hand, they feel sorry for their former partner, but on the other hand, they recognize that once trust is broken, it's tough to regain it.
Line by Line Meaning
Tú me dices que regrese, que ahora sí me vas a querer
You ask me to come back, that you'll love me now.
Este amor no lo mereces y jamás me verás volver
I don't deserve this love and you'll never see me return.
Tú me dices que regrese, que ahora sí me vas a querer
You ask me to come back, that you'll love me now.
Sé que estás arrepentida del dolor que me causaste
I know you regret the pain you caused me.
Soporté todo en la vida hasta que un día me cansaste
I endured everything in life until the day you tired me out.
Sé que estás arrepentida del dolor que me causaste
I know you regret the pain you caused me.
Yo ya no vuelvo contigo tú eres más mala que bonita
I won't return to you, you're more bad than beautiful.
No quiero ni ser tu amigo, ahí te vas a quedar solita
I don't even want to be your friend, you'll be left alone.
Aunque por dentro me digo que, me da pena la pobrecita
Although inside I feel sorry for the poor thing.
Pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
But, on the outside I say, what's done is done.
Ya ves que llegó el momento en que tienes que pagar
You see, the time has come for you to pay.
El dolor y el sufrimiento que tú me hiciste pasar
The pain and suffering you made me go through.
Ya ves que llegó el momento en que tienes que pagar
You see, the time has come for you to pay.
Todo se paga en la vida, eso nunca hay que dudar
Everything in life is paid, that you should never doubt.
Me causaste tanta herida que hay doliéndome ahí están
You caused me so much hurt that it's still hurting me.
Todo se paga en la vida eso nunca hay que dudar
Everything in life is paid, that you should never doubt.
Aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
Although inside I feel sorry for the poor thing.
Pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
But, on the outside I say, what's done is done.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALBERTO AGUILERA VALADEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carmen Troncoso
Tú me dices que regrese, que ahora sí me vas a querer
este amor no lo mereces y jamás me verás volver
tú me dices que regrese, que ahora sí me vas querer
Sé que estás arrepentida del dolor que me causaste
soporté todo en la vida hasta que un día me cansaste
sé que estás arrepentida del dolor que me causaste
Yo ya no vuelvo contigo tú eres más mala que bonita
no quiero ni ser tu amigo, ahi te vas a quedar solita
aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Ya ves que llegó el momento en que tienes que pagar
el dolor y el sufrimiento que tú me hiciste pasar
ya ves que llegó el momento en que tienes que pagar
Todo se paga en la vida, eso nunca hay que dudar
me causaste tanta herida que hay doliéndome ahí están
todo se paga en la vida eso nunca hay que dudar
Yo ya no vuelvo contigo tú eres más mala que bonita
no quiero ni ser tu amigo, ahi te vas a quedar solita
aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Carmen Troncoso
Tú me dices que regrese, que ahora sí me vas a querer
este amor no lo mereces y jamás me verás volver
tú me dices que regrese, que ahora sí me vas querer
Sé que estás arrepentida del dolor que me causaste
soporté todo en la vida hasta que un día me cansaste
sé que estás arrepentida del dolor que me causaste
Yo ya no vuelvo contigo tú eres más mala que bonita
no quiero ni ser tu amigo, ahi te vas a quedar solita
aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Ya ves que llegó el momento en que tienes que pagar
el dolor y el sufrimiento que tú me hiciste pasar
ya ves que llegó el momento en que tienes que pagar
Todo se paga en la vida, eso nunca hay que dudar
me causaste tanta herida que hay doliéndome ahí están
todo se paga en la vida eso nunca hay que dudar
Yo ya no vuelvo contigo tú eres más mala que bonita
no quiero ni ser tu amigo, ahi te vas a quedar solita
aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
Aunque por dentro me diga que, me da pena la pobrecita
pero, por fuera me digo que, palo dado ni Dios lo quita
aldomex78
yo escucho " me causaste tanta herida que aún doliendome hoy estan "
Manuel Alvarez
Una linda y sabía canción
Hugo Vargas
Wow gracias👍
Pedro Velasquez
Gracias por las letras
Nelson Perez
wow
Ruby Moreno
Que viva mexico
Liborio Fierros
MIS MAS GRANDES RESPETOS Y ADMIRACIÓN A ESTE GRAN INDIVIDUO
Gregorio Aguilar
Buenas canciones del orgullo de Michoacán saludos cordiales desde Nicaragua....
Liborio Fierros
JUANITO GABRIEL EL MEJOR CANTAUTOR DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS Y DEL MUNDO