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.
Mi Pueblo
Juan Gabriel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me fui de viaje para no sufrir
Y al llegar al pueblo en que nací
Tan solo al verlo me sentí feliz
Toda la gente comenzó a bailar
Cuando al llegar yo comencé a cantar
Al mismo ritmo del sol al girar
Ay, que alegría
Oh, what a feeling
La que sentía
My heart was singing
Pues a mi pueblo
The happy faces
Feliz veia (Oh, the memories)
And so the music goes on and on
All through the night until break of dawn
Y todo el pueblo en una sola voz
I hear the music everywhere
Que dice así
Ayayayayayayayayayayay
Ayayayay
Ayayayayayay
Ayayayayayayayayayayay
Ayayayay
Ayayayayayay
Ay, que alegría
Feliz reían
La que sentía
Oh, what a feeling
Pues a mi pueblo
(Todos contentos)
Feliz veía
And so the music keep goes on and on
Se acerca el año en mayo 22
All through the night untill the break of dawn
La gente canta al verme esta canción
Que dice así
Ayayayayayayayayayayay
Ayayayay
Ayayayayayay
Que dice así
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalalalalalala
Ay, que alegría
Oh, what a feeling
La que sentían
Such a big feeling
Pues a mi pueblo
People I like it
Feliz veía
Ayayayay, oh, what a feeling
Ayayayay, oh, what a feeling
Ayayayay, ayayayay
Ayayayay, Lalalalala
Qué viva mi pueblo
Y el pueblo de Paul
The lyrics of Juan Gabriel's song "Mi Pueblo" expresses the strong emotional connection the singer has with his hometown. The song captures the mixed feelings of happiness, joy, and nostalgia upon returning to his birthplace after a period of heartbreak and suffering. The singer's decision to leave his town after losing his loved one was a way for him to heal and find solace. As he arrives back, he instantly feels a sense of happiness just by seeing the place he grew up in.
The song describes how the people in the town started dancing when he arrived and began singing. The lyrics metaphorically portray the earth, moon, and sea dancing to the same rhythm, emphasizing the unity and contagious joy that the singer's presence brings. The repetition of the phrase "ay que alegría" (oh what a feeling) highlights the overwhelming happiness he experiences witnessing the happy faces and memories of his town.
Throughout the song, the music plays continuously, celebrating the town and the people's affection. The lyrics convey that the music can be heard everywhere, symbolizing how deeply ingrained the love and connection to the singer's hometown is. The song ends with a call to celebrate and cherish the singer's town and all the towns that hold sentimental value to everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
El mismo día que me quede sin ti
On the very day I lost you
Me fui de viaje para no sufrir
I went on a trip to avoid suffering
Y al llegar al pueblo en que nací
And upon arriving at the town where I was born
Tan solo al verlo me sentí feliz
Just by seeing it, I felt happy
Toda la gente comenzó a bailar
Everyone started to dance
Cuando al llegar yo comencé a cantar
When upon my arrival, I started to sing
Al mismo ritmo del sol al girar
To the same rhythm as the turning sun
Bailo la tierra, la luna y la mar
The earth, moon, and sea danced
Ay que alegría
Oh, what a feeling
La que sentía
The one I felt
Pues a mi pueblo
Because for my town
Feliz veia
I saw happiness
And so the music goes on and on
And so the music continues without stopping
Into the night of till break of dawn
Until the night turns into daylight
Y todo el pueblo en una sola voz
And the whole town in one voice
I hear the music everywhere
I hear the music all around
Que dice así ay aya ay ay aya aya ya ya ya ya
Which goes like ay aya ay ay aya aya ya ya ya ya
Ay ay ay ay ay aya ay ay aya ya ya
Ay ay ay ay ay aya ay ay aya ya ya
La gente canta al verme esta canción
People sing this song when they see me
Ay que alegría
Oh, what a feeling
La que sentían
The one they felt
Pues a mi pueblo
Because for my town
Todos contentos
Everyone was happy
Se acerca el año en mayo twenty-two
The year approaches in May twenty-two
All through the night untill the break of dawn
All through the night until the sunrise
Ayayayayyaa, oh what a feeling
Ayayayayyaa, oh what a feeling
Lara la la la
Lara la la la
Que viva mi pueblo y
Long live my town and
El pueblo de todos
The town of everyone
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Paul Anka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ANILU NOYOLA
WOOOOOOWWW Definitavamente Juan Gabriel siempre sera el numero uno, esta version es mucho mejor que la original. Llevaba la musica en su sangre, corazon, alma... Gracias por tanto que nos diste con tu musica. Siempre en nuestro corazon.
HONOR MAR
La versión original de Paul Anka era bonita pero JG la hizo inmejorable. Que maestría la de este gran artista.
julian rojas
si es muy buena version mejor que la version original lastima que no hizo diana recuerdame
Lorena Perez
HONOR MAR franco de vita
Maximo Romero
Un gran exponente de la música mexicana, compositor, cantautor, actor, intérprete, músico, productor discográfico y filántropo mexicano.
GRAN SER HUMANO me entristece mucho esta noticia que descanse en paz donde quiera k este el divo de la música
#JUANGABRIEL ALBERTO AGUILERA VALADEZ 😢siempre vivirás en mi corazón y en el de todos los que te admiran.
Amne Mastracchio
Siempre estará en nuestros corazones ❤️🙏🏻 te Amo Juan Gabriel 👏🏻
Mah cualli xihualacan.
¡Chulada! 😊❤️
RICARDO BENNET
Qué buena rola y más en la voz del Maestro Juan Gabriel 😎👍
SanBer Drak
Hermoso tema,y composición.
pollitorico1
siempre en mi mente estarás! descansa en paz!