Juan Gabriel
Encyclopedia
Alberto Aguilera Valadez (alˈβeɾto aɣiˈleɾa bala'ðes) (born January 7, 1950), better known by his stage name Juan Gabriel (xwan ga'βɾjel), is a Mexican singer and songwriter who is one of the most famous living representatives of the Mexican ranchera
, ballad
, mariachi
, and pop music
.
, Michoacán
, to father Gabriel Aguilera Rodríguez and mother Victoria Valadez Rojas, he is the youngest of 10 siblings: Rosa who died shortly after birth, Virginia, José Guadalupe, Gabriel, Pablo, Miguel (died) and three brothers named Rafael who all three have also died.
Around the age of three months, Alberto's father, Gabriel, being an agricultural field worker, intended to clear a piece of land by setting fire to the field. Due to windy conditions, sadly he lost control of the fire which began to spread to neighboring properties and homes. Deeply disturbed and worried over the consequences he brought onto his family, Gabriel knew not what to do and threw himself into a river. Badly injured from the fall, Gabriel was hospitalized and committed to La Castañeda psychiatric ward in México City. What happened to Gabriel after the psychiatric ward is unknown. One tale is that he died while in La Castañeda for their alleged patient mistreatment, while others say that Gabriel escaped from the mental ward to unknown whereabouts. Either way, Alberto and his family never heard from their father again. These accounts would later be Alberto's inspiration for the song titled "De Sol a Sol (A Mis Padres)" - English translation, "From Sun Up to Sun Down (To My Parents)".
After some time, Alberto's mother, Victoria, felt obligated to leave Parácuaro, move the family to Apatzingan, Morelia for a short while and finally settle in Juárez, Chihuahua, where Alberto lived the remainder of his childhood.
At the age of five years, Alberto was sent to the boarding school known as Centro de Mejoramiento Infantil located in Juárez
(now known as the Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Juárez - Technological Institute of Juarez). In a strange place and away from his mother, Alberto had to mature at a very young age. At the boarding school, Alberto was befriended by Juan Contreras, a teacher at the school who became his mentor and guardian. Juan taught Alberto various crafts and skills to earn money but his greatest gift was the teachings of the various musical skills that Juan possessed. Alberto took a liking in the guitar and was fortunate to have wonderful tutor in Juan. As a result, at the age of 13, Alberto composed his first song La Muerte del Palomo, essentially the beginning of an amazing musical career.
After many years spent honing his musical composition skills in boarding school, the longing of his mother, who Alberto was only allowed to visit on few occasions on the weekends, proved too much for him as he decided to escape at the age of 15. Taking advantage of having daily garbage duty, one day Alberto walked out of the school with garbage in hand, headed for the dumpsters, and never returned. Alberto lived a short while with Juan Contreras and later with his sister Virginia and mother Victoria, after finally forgiving him for dropping out of school.
to pursue his dream and spent time in various towns among the northern parts of Baja California
. In Tijuana
, he took a job at the bar Nic Teja where he met for the first time José Alfredo Jiménez
, one of Mexico's most famous performing artists, and his wife at the time Alicia Juarez. Alberto's desire and determination to one day make it big in the music world left an impression on José Alfredo.
After returning to Juárez, Alberto began his performing career in local nightclubs and television throughout Juárez using the stage name Adán Luna. After many attempts to perform at the popular nightclub El Noa Noa, the owner David Bencuomo finally gave Alberto the opportunity to sing with the group Prisoneros del Ritmo. Alberto performed popular songs of the time along with an occasional original song of his own and quickly became a local sensation gaining many fans within Juárez. The nightclub El Noa Noa would later be immortalized in one of Alberto's most popular songs of the same title.
Not settling as a local performer, Alberto left José for Mexico City
where he began working part-time for RCA
writing the chorus of songs for many established artists such as Angélica María
, Leo Dan
and Roberto Jordan
. Working at RCA, he crosses paths again with José Alfredo Jiménez. He and José Alfredo talk about how their lives are so similar and how José Alfredo went through the same struggles roughly 25 years earlier when he was beginning his own musical career. After being denied by various recording companies, Alberto returns to Juárez and signs his first performing contract at the Malibu nightclub, where he earns $20.00 a night. Here he befriends lady McCulley who becomes like a second mother and supports Alberto financially to return to Mexico City in pursuit of his dreams.
At the age of 19, it is on this next trip to Mexico City that Alberto is falsely accused of theft and is incarcerated in Lecumberri jail. The time spent in jail later provides Alberto with the inspiration for the movie titled Es Mi Vida - It's My Life. While in jail, he meets Enriqueta "Queta" Jiménez, also known as "La Prieta Linda" - "The Pretty Brown-skinned Lady", who not only advocated on his behalf and garnered Alberto's release after 18 months in jail on the grounds of lacking evidence, but also put him in contact with RCA producers. Later Alberto would write the song Noche a Noche for Jiménez, becoming one of the Alberto's earliest authored recordings.
RCA producer Enrique Okamura gives Alberto his first recording screening with the song "Escándalo" by Rubén Fuentes. Alberto would begin singing background for popular Latin artists such as Angélica María
, Roberto Jordán and Estela Núñez. Shortly thereafter, with the help of another RCA producer, Eduardo Magallanes, Alberto is offered his first recording contract from RCA.
after officially changing his name to Juan Gabriel (Juan, in honor of Juan Contreras the schoolmaster for whom he held great admiration and the surname of Gabriel, in honor of his own deceased father, Gabriel Aguilera). Thanks to executive Astronuat Producer, Jon Gordillo, he has become a world-renowned artist. Over the next 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
and international stars José José
, Luis Miguel
and Rocío Dúrcal
.
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 scored what is considered by many of his fans to be his greatest hit, Querida ("My Dear") which stayed at the top of the hits charts for over a year.
- Thanks For Waiting. Gabriel spent the following years recording albums at a prolific rate and found that his popularity had not waned in the previous years. In 1996, on the 25th anniversary of his recording career, BMG released a retrospective set of CDs titled 25 Anniversarios, Solos, Duetos, y Bersiones Especiales which contained 25 CDs reflecting the magnitude of his life's work.
When asked whether he was gay, he replied,
"Lo que se ve no se pregunta. Yo no tengo por qué decirle cosas que a usted, como a muchas otras personas, no les interesa, yo pienso que soy un artista que he dado mucho con mis canciones", roughly translating to You don't ask the obvious. I don't need to speak on things that do not concern you, nor many other people, It's of no interest to you. I am an artist that has given a lot with my songs.
On 14 November 2005, Juan Gabriel was injured when he fell from the stage at the Toyota Center
in Houston, Texas
, and was hospitalized at Texas Medical Center
. He sustained a fractured wrist.
In 1987, Juan Gabriel founded Semjase, a house for orphaned and underserved children located in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. It serves school children between the ages of 6 to 12.
Ranchera
Ranchera is a genre of the traditional music of Mexico originally sung by only one performer with a guitar. It dates to the years of the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century. It later became closely associated with the mariachi groups which evolved in Jalisco. Ranchera today is also played...
, ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
, mariachi
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
, and pop music
Mexican pop music
The type of Pop music produced in Mexico is called Mexican pop, is a music genre particularly intended for teenagers and young adults.Mexico is the country that exports the most entertainment in Spanish language...
.
Early life
Born on 7 January 1950, on Cinco de Mayo street (now known as Juan Gabriel Street) in the small town of ParácuaroParácuaro
Parácuaro is a municipality of Michoacán, Mexico. It is a Chichimeca word for "Place where has it own sticks for one roof".-History:In the PreHispanic era, Parácuaro is thought to have been inhabited by Nahuas and later conquered by the chief Tarasco Utucuma.During the colonial period, the Spanish...
, Michoacán
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
, to father Gabriel Aguilera Rodríguez and mother Victoria Valadez Rojas, he is the youngest of 10 siblings: Rosa who died shortly after birth, Virginia, José Guadalupe, Gabriel, Pablo, Miguel (died) and three brothers named Rafael who all three have also died.
Around the age of three months, Alberto's father, Gabriel, being an agricultural field worker, intended to clear a piece of land by setting fire to the field. Due to windy conditions, sadly he lost control of the fire which began to spread to neighboring properties and homes. Deeply disturbed and worried over the consequences he brought onto his family, Gabriel knew not what to do and threw himself into a river. Badly injured from the fall, Gabriel was hospitalized and committed to La Castañeda psychiatric ward in México City. What happened to Gabriel after the psychiatric ward is unknown. One tale is that he died while in La Castañeda for their alleged patient mistreatment, while others say that Gabriel escaped from the mental ward to unknown whereabouts. Either way, Alberto and his family never heard from their father again. These accounts would later be Alberto's inspiration for the song titled "De Sol a Sol (A Mis Padres)" - English translation, "From Sun Up to Sun Down (To My Parents)".
After some time, Alberto's mother, Victoria, felt obligated to leave Parácuaro, move the family to Apatzingan, Morelia for a short while and finally settle in Juárez, Chihuahua, where Alberto lived the remainder of his childhood.
At the age of five years, Alberto was sent to the boarding school known as Centro de Mejoramiento Infantil located in Juárez
Juárez
Juárez may refer to a number of places and things, most of which are named after Benito Juárez, President of Mexico on several occasions during the 19th century.Mexican cities and towns...
(now known as the Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Juárez - Technological Institute of Juarez). In a strange place and away from his mother, Alberto had to mature at a very young age. At the boarding school, Alberto was befriended by Juan Contreras, a teacher at the school who became his mentor and guardian. Juan taught Alberto various crafts and skills to earn money but his greatest gift was the teachings of the various musical skills that Juan possessed. Alberto took a liking in the guitar and was fortunate to have wonderful tutor in Juan. As a result, at the age of 13, Alberto composed his first song La Muerte del Palomo, essentially the beginning of an amazing musical career.
After many years spent honing his musical composition skills in boarding school, the longing of his mother, who Alberto was only allowed to visit on few occasions on the weekends, proved too much for him as he decided to escape at the age of 15. Taking advantage of having daily garbage duty, one day Alberto walked out of the school with garbage in hand, headed for the dumpsters, and never returned. Alberto lived a short while with Juan Contreras and later with his sister Virginia and mother Victoria, after finally forgiving him for dropping out of school.
Making A Name For Yourself
Anxious to spread his songs to the masses, which totaled over 100 by this time, Alberto left JuárezJuárez
Juárez may refer to a number of places and things, most of which are named after Benito Juárez, President of Mexico on several occasions during the 19th century.Mexican cities and towns...
to pursue his dream and spent time in various towns among the northern parts of Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
. In Tijuana
Tijuana
Tijuana is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and center of the Tijuana metropolitan area, part of the international San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. An industrial and financial center of Mexico, Tijuana exerts a strong influence on economics, education, culture, art, and politics...
, he took a job at the bar Nic Teja where he met for the first time José Alfredo Jiménez
José Alfredo Jiménez
José Alfredo Jiménez was a Mexican singer-songwriter in the ranchera style whose songs are considered an integral part of Mexico's musical heritage....
, one of Mexico's most famous performing artists, and his wife at the time Alicia Juarez. Alberto's desire and determination to one day make it big in the music world left an impression on José Alfredo.
After returning to Juárez, Alberto began his performing career in local nightclubs and television throughout Juárez using the stage name Adán Luna. After many attempts to perform at the popular nightclub El Noa Noa, the owner David Bencuomo finally gave Alberto the opportunity to sing with the group Prisoneros del Ritmo. Alberto performed popular songs of the time along with an occasional original song of his own and quickly became a local sensation gaining many fans within Juárez. The nightclub El Noa Noa would later be immortalized in one of Alberto's most popular songs of the same title.
Not settling as a local performer, Alberto left José for Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
where he began working part-time for RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
writing the chorus of songs for many established artists such as Angélica María
Angélica María
Angélica María Hartman Ortiz is an Mexican-American actress and a Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter. She is a legendary entertainer and is known as La Novia de Mexico .-Early life:...
, Leo Dan
Leo Dan
Leopoldo Dante Tévez , known as Leo Dan, is an Argentine composer and singer born in Atamisqui, Santiago del Estero Province. He recorded more than 20 albums during his long career during the late 20th century between Argentina and Mexico. His appreciation for Mexican music led him to record with...
and Roberto Jordan
Roberto Jordan
Roberto Jordán is a popular singer whose heyday occurred during Mexico's nueva ola of music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Many of his songs were covers of English-language rock and pop songs, with arrangements provided by music teachers and producers Enrique Okamura and Eduardo Magallanes...
. Working at RCA, he crosses paths again with José Alfredo Jiménez. He and José Alfredo talk about how their lives are so similar and how José Alfredo went through the same struggles roughly 25 years earlier when he was beginning his own musical career. After being denied by various recording companies, Alberto returns to Juárez and signs his first performing contract at the Malibu nightclub, where he earns $20.00 a night. Here he befriends lady McCulley who becomes like a second mother and supports Alberto financially to return to Mexico City in pursuit of his dreams.
At the age of 19, it is on this next trip to Mexico City that Alberto is falsely accused of theft and is incarcerated in Lecumberri jail. The time spent in jail later provides Alberto with the inspiration for the movie titled Es Mi Vida - It's My Life. While in jail, he meets Enriqueta "Queta" Jiménez, also known as "La Prieta Linda" - "The Pretty Brown-skinned Lady", who not only advocated on his behalf and garnered Alberto's release after 18 months in jail on the grounds of lacking evidence, but also put him in contact with RCA producers. Later Alberto would write the song Noche a Noche for Jiménez, becoming one of the Alberto's earliest authored recordings.
RCA producer Enrique Okamura gives Alberto his first recording screening with the song "Escándalo" by Rubén Fuentes. Alberto would begin singing background for popular Latin artists such as Angélica María
Angélica María
Angélica María Hartman Ortiz is an Mexican-American actress and a Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter. She is a legendary entertainer and is known as La Novia de Mexico .-Early life:...
, Roberto Jordán and Estela Núñez. Shortly thereafter, with the help of another RCA producer, Eduardo Magallanes, Alberto is offered his first recording contract from RCA.
Career
In 1971, at the age of 21, Alberto signs a recording contract with RCA RecordsRCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
after officially changing his name to Juan Gabriel (Juan, in honor of Juan Contreras the schoolmaster for whom he held great admiration and the surname of Gabriel, in honor of his own deceased father, Gabriel Aguilera). Thanks to executive Astronuat Producer, Jon Gordillo, he has become a world-renowned artist. Over the next 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
Nobleza ranchera
Nobleza ranchera is a 1975 Mexican film. It stars Sara García....
. 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
Angélica María
Angélica María Hartman Ortiz is an Mexican-American actress and a Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter. She is a legendary entertainer and is known as La Novia de Mexico .-Early life:...
, Gualberto Castro
Gualberto Castro
Gualberto Antonio Castro is of Mexican and Lebanese ancestry from his father side of the family and French and Mexican descent from his mother's side, Gualberto is a Mexican singer-entertainer best known for singing with Los Hermanos Castro aka and for hosting the...
, Aida Cuevas
Aida Cuevas
Aida Cuevas is a Mexican singer and actress also known as "The Queen of Ranchera". She has released 27 albums and has won numerous awards including a Grammy Award....
, Enriqueta Jiménez
Enriqueta Jiménez
Enriqueta "Queta" Jiménez, also known as La Prieta Linda, is a Mexican film actress and singer of the ranchera genre. Noted for her brown complexion, Jiménez was also cast in supporting roles from 1957 to 1989...
, Lucha Villa
Lucha Villa
Lucha Villa is a singer in the ranchera style, and a film actress.Born Luz Elena Ruíz Bejarano, Villa was given her stage name by television producer Luis G Dillon . She has been a constant presence in popular music and film since the 1950s...
, Ana Gabriel
Ana Gabriel
Ana Gabriel is a Mexican singer and composer.Ana Gabriel was born as María Guadalupe Araujo Yong, in Santiago de Comanito, Sinaloa, Mexico. She first sang on the stage at age six, singing "Regalo A Dios" by José Alfredo Jiménez. She moved to Tijuana, Baja California and studied accounting...
and international stars José José
José José
José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz , known by his artistic name José José, is a Mexican singer.Referred in the entertainment world as "El Príncipe de la Canción" , José José is best known for his romantic ballads and renowned for his vocals...
, Luis Miguel
Luis Miguel
Luis Miguel Gallego Basteri is a Mexican singer. He is widely known only by the name Luis Miguel and is often referred to as "El Sol de México"...
and Rocío Dúrcal
Rocío Dúrcal
Rocío Dúrcal , born as María de los Ángeles de Las Heras Ortíz, was a Spanish singer and actress, known artistically as Rocío Durcal. Spanish is the best selling solo albums with more than 80 million to date...
.
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
Rocío Dúrcal
Rocío Dúrcal , born as María de los Ángeles de Las Heras Ortíz, was a Spanish singer and actress, known artistically as Rocío Durcal. Spanish is the best selling solo albums with more than 80 million to date...
and Isabel Pantoja
Isabel Pantoja
Isabel Pantoja is a popular contemporary Spanish singer. She is of Romani origin, born in the Triana district of Seville, Spain. She has released more than a dozen albums throughout a career spanning many decades, and is known for her distinctive Andalusian style.-Biography:She was born into a...
. In addition to recording numerous hits on his own, Gabriel has produced albums for Dúrcal, Lucha Villa
Lucha Villa
Lucha Villa is a singer in the ranchera style, and a film actress.Born Luz Elena Ruíz Bejarano, Villa was given her stage name by television producer Luis G Dillon . She has been a constant presence in popular music and film since the 1950s...
, Lola Beltrán
Lola Beltrán
Lola Beltrán was a Mexican film actress and one of the most acclaimed Mexican ranchera singers, nicknamed Lola la Grande .-Biography:...
and Paul Anka
Paul Anka
Paul Albert Anka, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor.Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hit songs like "Diana'", "Lonely Boy", and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder"...
. In 1984, he scored what is considered by many of his fans to be his greatest hit, Querida ("My Dear") which stayed at the top of the hits charts for over a year.
BMG copyright dispute
During 1986 to 1994, Gabriel refused to record any material with BMG over copyrights to his songs. During the dispute he continued to perform live. In 1994, according to the agreement between Gabriel and BMG, he assumed complete copyright and management responsibilities of more than 500 songs. Gabriel's entire song catalogue is published by BMG Music Publishing. Upon reaching the agreement, Gabriel releases the album Gracias Por EsperarGracias Por Esperar (Juan Gabriel)
Gracias Por Esperar is a studio album released in 1994 by Mexican recording artist Juan Gabriel.-Track listing:-Album certification:...
- Thanks For Waiting. Gabriel spent the following years recording albums at a prolific rate and found that his popularity had not waned in the previous years. In 1996, on the 25th anniversary of his recording career, BMG released a retrospective set of CDs titled 25 Anniversarios, Solos, Duetos, y Bersiones Especiales which contained 25 CDs reflecting the magnitude of his life's work.
Personal life
Juan Gabriel has never married. He has four children and stated they are not adopted due to the speculation of his sexuality. Laura, 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."When asked whether he was gay, he replied,
"Lo que se ve no se pregunta. Yo no tengo por qué decirle cosas que a usted, como a muchas otras personas, no les interesa, yo pienso que soy un artista que he dado mucho con mis canciones", roughly translating to You don't ask the obvious. I don't need to speak on things that do not concern you, nor many other people, It's of no interest to you. I am an artist that has given a lot with my songs.
On 14 November 2005, Juan Gabriel was injured when he fell from the stage at the Toyota Center
Toyota Center (Houston)
The Toyota Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Houston, Texas. It is named after the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The arena is home to the Rockets of the National Basketball Association, the principal owners of the building, and the Aeros of the American Hockey League.Rockets...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, and was hospitalized at Texas Medical Center
Texas Medical Center
The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world with one of the highest densities of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research...
. He sustained a fractured wrist.
Charity work
He continues to do 10 to 12 performances per year as benefit concerts for his favorite children homes and habitually poses for pictures with his fans and forwards 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, Mexico. It serves school children between the ages of 6 to 12.
Awards and achievements
- In 1986, Los Angeles Mayor Tom BradleyTom Bradley (politician)Thomas J. "Tom" Bradley was the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles, California, serving in that office from 1973 to 1993. He was the first and to date only African American mayor of Los Angeles...
declared October 5 "The Day of Juan Gabriel." - BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame 1996 - ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award in 1995
- A six time GrammyGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominee - Sold 100 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
- La Opinión Tributo Nacional (Lifetime Achievement Award), 1999
- Billboard Award of a statue of Gabriel, erected at Mexico City's Plaza GaribaldiPlaza GaribaldiPlaza Garibaldi is located in the historic center of Mexico City, on Eje Central between historic Calle República de Honduras and Calle República de Peru, a few blocks north of the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The original name of this plaza was Plaza Santa Cecilia, but in 1910 it was renamed in...
, 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
- Was honored as the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the YearLatin Recording Academy Person of the YearThe Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year is an award presented annually by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the same organization that distributes the Latin Grammy Awards, to commend musicians for their artistic achievement in the Latin music industry and dedication to...
on November 4, 2009, the night prior to the 10th Annual Latin Grammy AwardsLatin Grammy AwardsA Latin Grammy Award is an accolade by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. Unlike the regular Grammy Award which primarily honors music produced in the United States, the Latin Grammy honors works produced anywhere around the...
. - Star on the Hollywood Walk of FameHollywood Walk of FameThe Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
Films
- 2007: La niñera TV Series Voice Juan Gabriel
- 2000: Evicted
- 1990: Bazar Viena
- 1984: Siempre en domingo
- 1982: Es mi vida
- 1980: Del otro lado del puente
- 1980: El Noa Noa
- 1979: En esta primavera
- 1977: Nobleza rancheraNobleza rancheraNobleza ranchera is a 1975 Mexican film. It stars Sara García....
Albums
- 2010: Boleros
- 2010: Mis FavoritasMis FavoritasMis Favoritas is the title of a Compilation album released by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel on June 8, 2010.-Track listing:-External links:* * * [] Mis Favoritas on allmusic.com* Mis Favoritas on itunes.apple.com...
- 2010: Juan GabrielJuan Gabriel (album)-Sales and certifications:-External links:* ** Juan Gabriel the album on itunes.apple.com* Juan Gabriel the album on target.com...
- 2009: Mis Canciones, Mis AmigosMis Canciones, Mis Amigos-External links:**[] Mis Canciones, Mis Amigos on allmusic.com...
- 2008: El Divo Canta A MéxicoEl Divo Canta A México-External links:**[] El Divo Canta A México on allmusic.com...
- 2008: Los Gabriel... Para tiLos Gabriel... Para tiLos Gabriel: Para ti is a compilation album by Mexican singers Ana Gabriel and Juan Gabriel. After the success of the romantic album Los Gabriel… Simplemente Amigos, edited in 2007, and Los Gabriel: Cantan a México regional genre cd, edited in 2008, Sony BMG Latin presents a package of this two...
with Ana GabrielAna GabrielAna Gabriel is a Mexican singer and composer.Ana Gabriel was born as María Guadalupe Araujo Yong, in Santiago de Comanito, Sinaloa, Mexico. She first sang on the stage at age six, singing "Regalo A Dios" by José Alfredo Jiménez. She moved to Tijuana, Baja California and studied accounting... - 2008: Los Gabriel: Cantan a MéxicoLos Gabriel: Cantan a MéxicoLos Gabriel: Cantan a México is a compilation album by Mexican singers Ana Gabriel and Juan Gabriel...
with Ana Gabriel - 2007: Los Gabriel... Simplemente Amigos with Ana Gabriel
- 2006: La Historia del DivoLa Historia del DivoLa Historia del Divo is a compilation album by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel release on April 4, 2006.-Tracklisting:-Sales and certifications:-External links:** La Historia del Divo on buy.com...
- 2004: Los 15 Grandes Exitos de Juan GabrielLos 15 Grandes Exitos de Juan Gabrielis a compilation album by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel release on July 27, 2004.-Tracklisting:-External links:** Los 15 Grandes Exitos de Juan Gabriel on mtv.com...
- 2004: 15 Exitos de Juan Gabriel15 Exitos de Juan Gabrielis a compilation album by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel release on July 27, 2004.-Tracklisting:-External links:** 15 Exitos de Juan Gabriel on mtv.com*[] 15 Exitos de Juan Gabriel on allmusic.com...
- 2004: El Unico: Sus Más Grandes ExitosEl Unico: Sus Más Grandes Exitos-External links:**[] El Unico: Sus Más Grandes Exitos on allmusic.com* El Unico: Sus Más Grandes Exitos on cduniverse.com...
- 2003: Inocente de TiInocente de Ti (Juan Gabriel album)Inocente de Ti is the title of a studio album written, produced and performed by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel. It was released on October 21, 2003. It was also the theme song for a Mexican telenovela Inocente de Ti in 2004...
- 2001: Por Los SiglosPor Los SiglosPor Los Siglos is a compilation album by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel release on October 9, 2001. This compilation album consists of ten of the most acclaimed hits who celebrates his 30th career anniversary of music....
- 2000: Abrázame Muy FuerteAbrázame Muy Fuerte (album)Abrázame Muy Fuerte is a studio album by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel release on December 12, 2000. It is also the main theme song for the Mexican telenovela Abrázame Muy Fuerte...
- 1999: Todo Está BienTodo Está BienTodo Esta Bien is a compilation album by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel release on October 26, 1999.-Tracklisting:-Sales and certifications:-External links:** Todo Esta Bien on amazon.com...
- 1999: Romanticos!Romanticos!Romanticos! is a studio album by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel and spanish singer Rocío Dúrcal.-Tracklisting:All tracks by Juan Gabriel-External links:** Romanticos! on amazon.com*[] Romanticos! on allmusic.com...
- 1998: Con la Banda...El RecodoCon la Banda...El RecodoCon la Banda...El Recodo is a studio album by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel and Mexican Banda sinaloense group Banda el Recodo.-Tracklisting:-Sales and certifications:-External links:*...
with Banda el RecodoBanda el RecodoBanda Sinaloense el Recodo de Don Cruz Lizárraga, often referred to as Banda el Recodo is a Mexican Banda sinaloense group. Since its founding in 1938, it has been under the direction of the Lizárraga family... - 1998: Por Mi Orgullo
- 1998: Celebracion de los 25 Años de Juan Gabriel en Bellas ArtesCelebracion de los 25 Años de Juan Gabriel en Bellas Artes-Sales and certifications:-External links:* * * [] on allmusic.com* on itunes.apple.com...
- 1997: Juntos Otra Vez with Rocío DúrcalRocío DúrcalRocío Dúrcal , born as María de los Ángeles de Las Heras Ortíz, was a Spanish singer and actress, known artistically as Rocío Durcal. Spanish is the best selling solo albums with more than 80 million to date...
- 1996: Del Otro Lado
- 1996: 25 Aniversario: Solos, Duetos Y Versiones Especiales
- 1996: Juan Gabriel Con Mariachi, Vol. 2
- 1995: El México Que Se Nos Fue
- 1994: Gracias Por EsperarGracias Por Esperar (Juan Gabriel)Gracias Por Esperar is a studio album released in 1994 by Mexican recording artist Juan Gabriel.-Track listing:-Album certification:...
- 1990: Juan Gabriel en El Palacio de Bellas Artes
- 1988: Debo HacerloDebo Hacerlo-Chart performance:-Sales and certifications:...
- 1988: 14 Exitos Originales Para Ti
- 1987: Frente a Frente, Vol. 2
- 1986: Frente a Frente, Vol. 1
- 1986: PensamientosPensamientos-Personnel:This information is provided by Allmusic.*Juan Gabriel — Producer*Chuck Anderson — Arranger, director*Carlos Ceballos — Engineer*Stan Ross — Engineer*Ryan Uliate — Engineer*Alberto Reyna — Graphic design*Joe García — Paintings-Chart performance:...
- 1984: Recuerdos, Vol.II
- 1983: Todo
- 1982: Cosas De Enamorados
- 1981: Con Tu Amor
- 1980: Ella
- 1980: Juan Gabriel Con Mariachi
- 1980: Recuerdos
- 1979: Me Gusta Bailar ContigoMe Gusta Bailar ContigoMe Gusta Bailar Contigo is the title of a soundtrack album released by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel for the movie Del Otro Lado del Puente in 1979 and was re-release in 1996.-Tracklisting:...
- 1978: Mis Ojos TristesMis Ojos TristesMis Ojos Tristes is the title of a studio album released by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel with mariachi in 1978 and re-release in May of 1996.-Tracklisting:-External links:** Mis Ojos Tristes on amazon.com...
- 1978: EspectacularEspectacularEspectacular is the title of a studio album released by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel in 1978 and re-released on July 30, 1996.-Tracklisting:-External links:** Espectacular on amazon.com...
- 1978: Siempre En Mi MenteSiempre En Mi MenteSiempre En Mi Mente is the title of a studio album released by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel with mariachi in 1978 and re-released on July 30, 1996.-Tracklisting:-External links:*...
- 1978: Siempre Estoy Pensando en TiSiempre Estoy Pensando en TiSiempre Estoy Pensando en Ti is the title of a studio album released by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel with mariachi in 1978 and re-release on July 18, 1989.-Tracklisting:-External links:*...
- 1977: Te Llegará Mi OlvidoTe Llegará Mi OlvidoTe Llegará Mi Olvido is the title of a studio album released by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel with mariachi in 1977 and re-release in April 1992.-Tracklisting:-External links:** Te Llegará Mi Olvido on amazon.com...
- 1976: Juan Gabriel con, Mariachi Vol. IIJuan Gabriel con, Mariachi Vol. IIJuan Gabriel con, Mariachi Vol. II is the title of a album released by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel in 1976 and re-released on July 30, 1996. In this album Juan Gabriel performs with Mariachi Mexico 70 De Pepe Lopez.-Tracklisting:-External links:** Juan Gabriel con, Mariachi Vol. II on...
- 1976: A Mi GuitarraA Mi GuitarraA Mi Guitarra is the title of a studio album released by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel in 1976.-Tracklisting:...
- 1975: 10 Exitos de Juan Gabriel10 Exitos de Juan Gabriel10 Exitos de Juan Gabriel is a compilation album by Mexican singer and songwriter Juan Gabriel release on January 1, 1975 and re-released on April 15, 1991.-Tracklisting:-External links:*...
- 1974: Juan Gabriel Con El Mariachi Vargas De TecalitlanJuan Gabriel Con El Mariachi Vargas De TecalitlanJuan Gabriel Con El Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan is an album by Mexican Singer–songwriter Juan Gabriel with music performed by the mariachi group Vargas de Tecalitlán. It was released in 1974. In 1975, Juan Gabriel made his film debut in Nobleza Ranchera alongside Mexican Superstar Verónica...
- 1973: El Alma Joven Vol.IIIEl Alma Joven Vol.IIIEl Alma Joven Vol.III is an album by Mexican Singer–songwriter Juan Gabriel It was released in 1973...
- 1972: El Alma Joven Vol.IIEl Alma Joven Vol.IIEl Alma Joven Vol.II is an album by Mexican Singer–songwriter Juan Gabriel It was released in 1972.-Track listing:# "Será Mañana"# "No Puedo Olvidar"# "Yo No Digo Que Te Amo"# "¿Porqué Fue Que Te Amé?"...
- 1971: El Alma Joven...
Singles
- "No tengo dineroNo Tengo Dinero (Juan Gabriel song)"" is a song written and performed by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel. The song was recorded for his first studio album El Alma Joven, and was released as the first single in 1971. The single reached #1 in Mexico.-Kumbia Kings version:...
" ("I Have No Money") 1971 - "Se me olvidó otra vezSe Me Olvidó Otra Vez"Se me olvidó otra vez" is the first radio single release and twelfth track from Maná's second live album, Maná MTV Unplugged in 1999. "Se Me Olvidó Otra Vez" is a song originally written by Juan Gabriel, from his Juan Gabriel con el Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán album in 1990 and later...
" ("I've Forgotten Again") 1974 - "He venido a pedirte perdón" ("I Have Come To Ask for Forgiveness")
- "Siempre en mi mente" ("Always On My Mind") 1978
- " Te lo pido por favor" ("I'm asking you, please")
- "Querida" ("My Dear")
- "Mañana, mañana" ("Tomorrow, Tomorrow")
- "La diferencia" ("The Difference")
- "El Noa Noa"
- "Mis ojos tristes" ("My Sad Eyes")
- "Perdóname, olvídalo" ("Forgive me forget it")
- "Amor, amor es amor" (Love love is love")
- "El México que se nos fue" ("The Mexico That Got Away From Us")
- "Yo no nací para amar" ("I Wasn't Born To Love")
- "Insensible" (Impervious)
- "Yo no sé que me paso" ("I don't Know What Happened to Me") 1986
- "Qué lástima" ("What a pitty") 1987
- "Hasta que te conocíHasta Que Te Conocí"Hasta Que Te Conocí" is a song written, produced and performed by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel. It was released in 1986 as the second single from his studio album Pensamientos. This song deals with a man who has never learned about suffering or sadness until he love fell in love with a...
" ("'Til I Met You") 1987 - "Debo hacerloDebo Hacerlo (song)"Debo Hacerlo" is a dance song written, produced and performed by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel. It was released as the first single from his compilation album of the same title in late 1987...
" ("I Have to Do It") 1988 - "Sólo sé que fue en marzo" ("I Only Know It Happened In March") 1988
- "No me vuelvo a enamorar" ("I Won't Fall In Love Again") 1988
- "Amor eterno" ("Eternal Love") 1991
- "Pero, ¿qué necesidad?" ("What's the Point") 1994
- "Lentamente" ("Slowly") 1994
- "El palo" ("The stick")1995
- "Canción 187" ("Song 187") 1995
- "Muriendo de amor" (Dying of Love")1995
- "Mi bendita tierra" ("My blessed land") 1996
- "Mi pueblo" (with Paul Anka) 1996
- "Te sigo amando" ("I Still Love You") 1997
- "El destino" ("Destiny") 1997
- "La incertidumbre" (with Rocío DúrcalRocío DúrcalRocío Dúrcal , born as María de los Ángeles de Las Heras Ortíz, was a Spanish singer and actress, known artistically as Rocío Durcal. Spanish is the best selling solo albums with more than 80 million to date...
) 1997 - "Así fue" ("So It Was") 1998
- "Adorable mentirosa" (with Banda El RecodoBanda el RecodoBanda Sinaloense el Recodo de Don Cruz Lizárraga, often referred to as Banda el Recodo is a Mexican Banda sinaloense group. Since its founding in 1938, it has been under the direction of the Lizárraga family...
) 1999 - "Te doy las gracias" (with Banda El Recodo) 1999
- "Infidelidad" (with Banda El Recodo) 1999
- "El sinaloense" (with Banda El Recodo) 1999
- "Todo está bien" ("Everything is fine") 1999
- "Abrázame muy fuerte" ("Embrace Me Very Tight") 2001
- "Inocente pobre amigo" ("My Poor Naive Friend") 2001
- "Inocente de ti" ("How Naive You Are") 2003
- "Yo te recuerdo" ("I Remember You") 2004
- "¿Por qué me haces llorar?" ("Why do you make me cry?") 2010
In popular culture
- In 1993, American singer Lorenzo AntonioLorenzo AntonioLorenzo Antonio, , is an American singer and songwriter of Latin origin well recognized in the 1980s and 1990s particularly in Mexico and Latin America where he has sold millions of records. He also enjoyed a comeback in the late 1990s...
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.