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.
Ya No Vivo Por Vivir
Juan Gabriel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No pude evitarlo yo te quiero tanto, pero
Tanto y tanto tú bien sabes cuánto eso y
Otro tanto te quiero decir
Que ya no vivo por vivir
Que ya no vivo por vivir
Poco a poco a poquito me fuiste enseñando
Tu cuerpo, soñando te tengo en mis brazos
Quiero ser de ti, yo voy a ser de ti
El más grande y dulce amor
El más grande y dulce amor
Poco a poco lentamente me enseñaste a querer
Poco a poco lentamente yo de ti me enamoré
Poco a poco lentamente me enseñaste a vivir
Poco a poco lentamente yo me enamoré de ti
Hoy canto y vivo contenta porque ahora ya
Puedo decir que por fin
Ya no vivo por vivir ya no vivo
Hoy canto y vivo contento porque
Ahora ya puedo decir que por fin
Ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
Poco a poco a poquito me fui enamorando
No pude evitarlo yo te quiero tanto, pero
Tanto y tanto tú bien sabes cuánto eso y
Otro tanto te quiero decir
Que ya no vivo por vivir
Que ya no vivo por vivir
Poco a poco a poquito me fuiste enseñando
A besar tus labios, tus ojos, tus manos
Tu cuerpo, soñando te tengo en mi brazos
Quiero ser de ti, yo voy a ser de ti
El más grande y dulce amor
El más grande y dulce amor
Poco a poco lentamente me enseñaste a querer
Poco a poco lentamente yo de ti me enamoré
Poco a poco lentamente me enseñaste a vivir
Poco a poco lentamente yo me enamoré de ti
Hoy canto y vivo contenta porque ahora ya
Puedo decir que por fin
Ya no vivo por vivir ya no vivo
Hoy canto y vivo contento porque
Ahora ya puedo decir que por fin
Ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
Yo ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
Yo ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
Yo ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
Yo ya no vivo
Que ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo por vivir
The song "Ya No Vivo Por Vivir" by Juan Gabriel is a love song that expresses the idea that the singer's life is now full of purpose and meaning after falling deeply in love with someone. The singer explains that they fell in love with their partner little by little, unable to resist their feelings, and that now they love them completely. The singer describes the gradual process of falling in love, including learning to kiss their partner's lips, their eyes, and their hands, and dreaming of holding them in their arms. The song talks about being "the greatest and sweetest love" and how the singer no longer lives just to exist but lives because of their love for their partner.
The repeated phrase "ya no vivo por vivir" translates to "I no longer live just to live" and implies that the singer's life lacked purpose and meaning before they fell in love but that now their love has given them a reason to live. The song ends with a repetition of this phrase, indicating that the singer's newfound purpose and fulfillment are attributed to their love for their partner.
Juan Gabriel is known for his popular love ballads, and "Ya No Vivo Por Vivir" is no exception. The song has become one of his most famous and beloved tracks and is often played at weddings and romantic events in Latin America. The song's message of finding purpose and fulfillment through love resonates with people of all ages and has solidified its place as a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Poco a poco a poquito me fui enamorando
Little by little, I fell in love with you
No pude evitarlo yo te quiero tanto, pero
I couldn't help it, I love you so much, but
Tanto y tanto tú bien sabes cuánto eso y
So much, and you know how much that is, and
Otro tanto te quiero decir
Another much I want to tell you
Que ya no vivo por vivir
That I no longer live just to exist
Poco a poco a poquito me fuiste enseñando
Little by little, you taught me
A besar tus labios, tus ojos, tus manos
To kiss your lips, your eyes, your hands
Tu cuerpo, soñando te tengo en mis brazos
Your body, as I dream of holding you in my arms
Quiero ser de ti, yo voy a ser de ti
I want to belong to you, I will belong to you
El más grande y dulce amor
The greatest and sweetest love
Poco a poco lentamente me enseñaste a querer
You slowly taught me to love
Poco a poco lentamente yo de ti me enamoré
Little by little, I fell in love with you
Poco a poco lentamente me enseñaste a vivir
You slowly taught me how to live
Poco a poco lentamente yo me enamoré de ti
Little by little, I fell in love with you
Hoy canto y vivo contenta porque ahora ya
Today I sing and live happily because now I
Puedo decir que por fin
Can finally say that
Ya no vivo por vivir ya no vivo
I no longer live just to exist, I no longer live like that
Hoy canto y vivo contento porque
Today I sing and live happily because
Ahora ya puedo decir que por fin
Now I can finally say that
Ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
I no longer live just to exist, I no longer live like that
Yo ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
I no longer live just to exist, I no longer live like that
Yo ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
I no longer live just to exist, I no longer live like that
Yo ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo por vivir
I no longer live just to exist, I no longer live like that
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Juan Gabriel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Efrem Escalona
Letras
Poco a poco a poquito me fui enamorando
No pude evitarlo, yo te quiero tanto
Pero tanto y tanto, tú bien sabes cuánto
Eso y otro tanto te quiero decir
Que ya no vivo por vivir
Que ya no vivo por vivir
Poco a poco a poquito, me fuiste enseñando
A besar tus labios, tus ojos, tus manos
Tu cuerpo soñado que tengo en mis brazos
Quiero ser de ti, yo voy a ser de ti
El más grande y dulce amor
El más grande y dulce amor
Poco a poco, lentamente, me enseñaste a querer
Poco a poco, lentamente, yo de ti me enamoré
Poco a poco, lentamente, me enseñaste a vivir
Poco a poco, lentamente, yo me enamoré de ti
Hoy canto y vivo contenta porque ahora
Ya puedo decir que por fin
Ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
Hoy canto y vivo contenta porque ahora
Ya puedo decir que por fin
Ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
Poco a poco a poquito, me fui enamorando
No pude evitarlo, yo te quiero tanto
Pero tanto y tanto, tú bien sabes cuánto
Eso y otro tanto te quiero decir
Que ya no vivo por vivir
Que ya no vivo por vivir
Poco a poco a poquito, me fuiste enseñando
A besar tus labios, tus ojos, tus manos
Tu cuerpo soñado que tengo en mis brazos
Quiero ser de ti, yo voy a ser de ti
El más grande y dulce amor
El más grande y dulce amor
Poco a poco, lentamente, me enseñaste a querer
Poco a poco, lentamente, yo de ti me enamoré
Poco a poco, lentamente, me enseñaste a vivir
Poco a poco, lentamente, yo me enamoré de ti
Hoy canto y vivo contenta porque ahora
Ya puedo decir que por fin
Ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
Hoy canto y vivo contenta porque ahora
Ya puedo decir que por fin
Ya no vivo por vivir, ya no vivo
Y hoy, y hoy ya no vivo por vivir (ya no vivo por vivir)
Ya no vivo (yo ya no vivo)
Y hoy, y hoy ya no vivo por vivir (ya no vivo por vivir)
Ya no, ya no vivo, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Y hoy, y hoy ya no vivo por vivir
Ya no, ya no vivo
Y hoy, y hoy ya no vivo
Que ya no vivo por vivir
Maria concepcion Guadalupe Gonzalez gutierrez
En este momento mi hijo de 15 años esta en terapia intensiva. Hace 8 años.me cantaba esta cancion a todo pulmon Espero que la vida le permita otra oportunidad, que despierte y sepa que es un guerrero. Te amo Rafita
Montserrat Marquez Vera
Dios estara contigo ten mucha fe deverdad mis mejores deceos que dios en su bendita misericordia este con tu hijo y contigo y las personas que amas pedire por ti 🥺👏te deceo lo mejor
Lorenzo E Méndez Hdz
Que el gran Dios lo permita, una oración de corazón para que tu hijo salve esta etapa de vida.
Maria concepcion Guadalupe Gonzalez gutierrez
@Montserrat Marquez Vera hola muchas gracias mi hijo desde ayer esta en casa sera un proceso largo pero esta en casa..muchas gracias por sus buenos deseos.
Maria concepcion Guadalupe Gonzalez gutierrez
@Lorenzo E Méndez Hdz hola muchas gracias por sus deseos mi hijo ya esta recuperandose en casa muchas gracias por sus buenos deseos
Montserrat Marquez Vera
@Maria concepcion Guadalupe Gonzalez gutierrez Deverdad le pedi a Dios por ustedes yo ya estube en un caso similiar pero con mi esposo y deverdad es increible como la fe nos ayuda muchisimo buena suerte en su vida y les deseo lo mejor deverdad
Nancy Coss
AMO A MÉXICO!!! Soy venezolana. Que Maravilla de cantantes y que belleza de canción ♥️😘🇲🇽 🇻🇪
♡♧Shinobu kochop
Gracias por queren tanto mi hermosa cultura Mexicana 💖
Luis Acosta
X2
Rikk Candelas
México es un país tan bueno y prodigioso en todos los aspectos que no duda en compartir toda su riqueza humana con todo el mundo, México es un país muy noble. Viva mi México querido y toda su color!