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.
Eternamente Agradecido
Juan Gabriel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me traen muchos recuerdos de cuando era niño
Me parece ver a las gentes
Las cuales recuerdo con mucho cariño
Ha cambiado mucho mi barrio
Poco a poco van habiendo mas casas
Con agua, gas y luz
A la cual me da tristeza desde mi juventud
Las señoras amigas de mi madre
Cuando voy a olvidarles, nunca
Son todas un amor
A cada una le digo a nombre de ella y mío
Que las bendiga dios
Con cariño y respeto yo recuerdo a todos mis maestros
Pues de ellos parte soy
Hoy suspiro por todos esos anos
Recuerdos de momentos que hoy extraños
Gracias por tanto amor
Gracias por tanto amor
A los 7 años tuve mi primer gran amigo
Un lindo viejecito que se llamaba Juan
Por él me puse ese nombre tan bonito
Por que ese viejecito
Me enseño a trabajar
Juan, Juan, Juan
Mujer fuerte, audaz, capaz bastante
Activa y muy constante
Tal como era mi escuela
Directora amiga profesora
Y toda una señora
Su nombre Micaela
A todas aquellas personas que me conocieron y que siempre
Me dieron cariño y amor
Quiero decirles que los recuerdo
Que siempre los llevo conmigo por donde quiera que yo voy
Y que nunca los voy a olvidar
Ni a Micaela ni a mis maestros ni a las amigas de mi madre
Ni a mi gran amigo
Juan, Juan, Juan
Eternamente agradecido
Alberto Aguilera Valadez
Juárez
Oh Juárez es mi cuidad en mi gente
Es Juárez
Oh Juárez aquí es donde nace el amor
Arriba Juárez arriba Juárez
Juárez
Oh Juárez es mi cuidad en mi gente es Juárez
Juárez es siempre mi guía
Mi tarde mi noche mi luna y mi sol
A todo Juárez las gracias le doy
Las gracias le doy
Las gracias le doy
Si
Juan Gabriel's song "Eternamente Agradecido" is a nostalgic tribute to the people and places that influenced the singer's childhood in Juarez, Mexico. Through the lyrics, Juan Gabriel reflects on the changes that have occurred in his neighborhood and expresses his desire for progress that can lift his community out of poverty. He pays tribute to the women who were friends of his mother and who showed him kindness and affection, as well as to his teachers who played a crucial role in his education and personal development.
One of the most poignant moments in the song comes when Juan Gabriel reminisces about his first friend, an elderly man named Juan who taught him the value of hard work. This experience left such a deep impression on the singer that he even adopted his friend's name. He also acknowledges the importance of his school, which was led by a strong and capable woman named Micaela, who served as both a director and a teacher there.
Overall, "Eternamente Agradecido" is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and appreciation for the people and places that shaped Juan Gabriel's life in Juarez. The song is a testament to the singer's deep connections to his hometown and his compassion for the struggles of his community.
Line by Line Meaning
Cada vez que paso por la calles de Juárez
Whenever I walk through the streets of Juarez,
Me traen muchos recuerdos de cuando era niño
It brings back many childhood memories.
Me parece ver a las gentes
I seem to see the same people
Las cuales recuerdo con mucho cariño
I cherish the memories of each of them dearly.
Ha cambiado mucho mi barrio
My neighbourhood has changed a lot
Poco a poco van habiendo mas casas
Houses are being developed gradually over time.
Con agua, gas y luz
With access to utilities like water, gas and electricity
No quiero que se respire la misma pobreza
I don't want the same poverty to prevail
A la cual me da tristeza desde mi juventud
Which has made me sad since my youth.
Las señoras amigas de mi madre
My mother's dear friends,
Cuando voy a olvidarles, nunca
I can never forget them,
Son todas un amor
Each of them holds a special place in my heart.
A cada una le digo a nombre de ella y mío
I say to each on behalf of myself and my mother,
Que las bendiga dios
May God bless them.
Con cariño y respeto yo recuerdo a todos mis maestros
With love and respect, I remember all of my teachers
Pues de ellos parte soy
For I am a part of who I am because of them.
Hoy suspiro por todos esos anos
Today, I long for all those years gone by.
Recuerdos de momentos que hoy extraños
Memories of moments that I miss today.
Gracias por tanto amor
Thank you for so much love
A los 7 años tuve mi primer gran amigo
At 7 years old, I found my first great friend,
Un lindo viejecito que se llamaba Juan
A nice old guy named Juan.
Por él me puse ese nombre tan bonito
I got my beautiful name because of him.
Por que ese viejecito
Because that old guy,
Me enseño a trabajar
Taught me how to work.
Mujer fuerte, audaz, capaz bastante
Strong, courageous and capable women,
Activa y muy constante
Active and very determined.
Tal como era mi escuela
Just like my school was.
Directora amiga profesora
Director, friend and teacher,
Y toda una señora
Truly a lady.
Su nombre Micaela
Her name was Micaela.
A todas aquellas personas que me conocieron y que siempre
To all those people who knew me and always,
Me dieron cariño y amor
Showed me love and affection,
Quiero decirles que los recuerdo
I want to tell them that I remember them
Que siempre los llevo conmigo por donde quiera que yo voy
That I always carry them with me wherever I go.
Y que nunca los voy a olvidar
And I will never forget them,
Ni a Micaela ni a mis maestros ni a las amigas de mi madre
Not Micaela, nor my teachers, nor my mother's friends,
Ni a mi gran amigo
Not my great friend,
Juan, Juan, Juan
Juan, Juan, Juan.
Eternamente agradecido
Eternally grateful,
Alberto Aguilera Valadez
Alberto Aguilera Valadez,
Juárez
Juarez,
Oh Juárez es mi cuidad en mi gente
Oh, Juarez is my city and its people,
Es Juárez
It is Juarez.
Oh Juárez aquí es donde nace el amor
Oh, this is where love is born,
Arriba Juárez arriba Juárez
Up with Juarez!
Juárez
Juarez,
Oh Juárez es mi cuidad en mi gente es Juárez
Oh, Juarez is my city and its people,
Juárez es siempre mi guía
Juarez will always be my guide,
Mi tarde mi noche mi luna y mi sol
My afternoon, my night, my moon and my sun.
A todo Juárez las gracias le doy
I give thanks to all of Juarez,
Las gracias le doy
I give thanks,
Las gracias le doy
I give thanks.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALBERTO AGUILERA VALADEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Heriberto Alvarez
Yo estaba en mi plena flor de la juventud y con mi primer sueldo me compres ese cassette, desde entonces ya era un señoron de la música, hasta ahora es el más grande compositor de Iberoamérica, letras profundas y significativas por algo el "mundo literal" se deleita en sus composiciones.
Elvi Mashaa Allah
Heriberto Alvarez en 1987
Compro mi madre ese disco que tiempos tan hermosos!!!!😍😘
Ramiro Morgan
me gusta esa frase de un lindo viejesito, pues en efecto yo tengo un amigo que se llama Juan y me a enseñado a trabajar el es mecanico y tiene 83 años y le digo que aun tiene que sacarme como mecanico. Dios te bendija maestro. pues esta cancion me recuerda a ese gran Sr. Juan Martinez.
Eddi Rodríguez
Amigo, contame cómo está tu amigo Juan. Yo tengo un viejecito a quien también aprecio mucho; en cierta forma me libro del alcohismo y del suicido. Ahora tengo una familia y he prosperado. Por eso me gustó tu comentario.
Alejandro Piña
Arriba Juárez! Siento el mismo amor por esta mi ciudad, pudiste haber nacido en otra parte pero llevaste siempre a nuestra ciudad en el corazón!
El Chupanochas
Arriba
Martin Jimenez
nacio en Paracuaro Michoacan pero adopto Juarez Chihuahua como su ciudad
Fernando Rivera
Guhkhv
manuel Cruz
Me gusta mucho esta cancion pero en especial la parte donde describe la ciudad sus calles y como la gente iba progresando, las personas (amigas) que rodeaban a su mama, y como fue su infancia y el porque adopto el nombre de Juan Grabiel.
Creo esto suena como una hermosa poesia.
Abi Ziur
a la gente agradecida siempre Dios la bendice!