The legendary Mexican showman Juan Gabriel

Alberto Aguilera Valadez, best known by his stage name, Juan Gabriel was born on January 7, 1950 in Parácuaro, Michoacán. He was the youngest of ten siblings. During his childhood, his father was admitted into a psychiatric hospital and his mother had to move to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. He was put in the El Tribunal boarding school where he stayed for eight years.

Juan Gabriel escaped El Tribunal when he was 13 and returned with his mother who lived in the city downtown. It was in Ciudad Juárez where his career began with a performance at the Noa Noa nightclub in 1966.

Recommended: The first Mexican woman who wrote a symphony

At 18, he traveled to Mexico City looking for opportunities, but no record label wanted to sign him. He had to return then to Ciudad Juárez, where he worked as a singer at the Malibú nightclub.

In 1969, he tried again to be signed by a record label and returned to Mexico City where RCA finally signed him. In 1970, he resigned because he received insufficient payment and returned to work to Ciudad Juárez.

For the third time, Juan Gabriel returned to Mexico City in 1970 and at some point, he was accused of robbery and was imprisoned in the Lecumberri prison for a year and a half. He was released due to the lack of evidence.

Recommended: The young Mexican composer playing a tune of success in Europe

Despite the misfortunes, Juan Gabriel continued writing songs. In 1971, he signed a recording contract with RCA Victor and began his successful career with his first album, No Tengo Dinero.

Since then, there was no turning back. "El Divo de Juárez" recorded 28 albums, sold over 100 million copies worldwide, wrote around 1,800 songs and over 200 artists have performed his songs. 

Among the most famous songs written by Juan Gabriel are "Amor Eterno", "Querida", "Yo No Nací Para Amar", "Hasta Que Te Conocí”, "El Noa Noa", "No Tengo Dinero", "Abrázame Muy Fuerte”, "Te lo Pido Por Favor", "En Esta Primavera", "Pero Qué Necesidad", "Te Sigo Amando", "Siempre en Mi Mente, "De Mí Enamórate”", and "Lo Pasado, Pasado".

The legendary Mexican singer-songwriter died suddenly of a heart attack on Sunday, August 28,2016 at his home in California. He was 66.

Recommended: Mexican singer Óscar Chávez passes away

acr