| Full Name | Alberto Aguilera Valadez |
| Birthday | January 7, 1950 |
| Death Date | August 28, 2016 |
| Birth Sign | Capricorn |
| Born | Mexico |
| Net Worth | $30M |
| Juan Gabriel | |
| @juangabriel_mx | |
| @juangabriel_oficial |
Mexican singer Juan Gabriel (Juanga, El Divo de Juárez) broke Latin music barriers with his powerful voice and genre-blending mariachi pop sound. He achieved worldwide fame for his romantic ballads and flamboyant stage presence.
Juan Gabriel Timeline
1950 – Juan Gabriel is born on January 7th in Parácuaro, Michoacán, Mexico.
1969 – At age 19, lands his first recording contract and adopts the stage name Juan Gabriel.
1971 – Releases his debut album, El Alma Joven (The Young Soul).
1975 – His iconic song "Querida" becomes one of his signature classic hits.
1982 – Cosas De Enamorados becomes his first #1 album on the Latin Pop charts.
1984 – Recuerdos, Vol. II sets the record for most weeks at #1 on the Top Latin Albums chart.
1994 – Gracias Por Esperar album sells over 8 million copies.
1995 – Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.
2009 – Inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.
2016 – Dies suddenly of a heart attack at age 66.
Why We Love Juan Gabriel
He was an innovator. Juan Gabriel was a pioneer in blending different musical styles like mariachi, pop, rock and Latin rhythms to create his own unique sound. He helped push Latin music into the mainstream through his genre-bending artistry.
His voice and talent. Juan Gabriel had an undeniably gorgeous, emotive voice that he could effortlessly bend to convey a range of themes and moods. He was also a gifted songwriter and producer responsible for some of Latin music‘s most enduring classics.
He was an icon. With his flashy performance style and unprecedented chart success, Juan Gabriel became a true superstar and household name across Latin America. He remains beloved and influential among generations of fans.
Interesting Facts About Juan Gabriel
- Charted nine #1 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart between 1984 and 2016.
- His song "Querida" holds the record for most weeks at #1 on Mexico‘s airplay charts.
- Has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling Latin artists.
- Sang a duet with Frank Sinatra on his 1993 Duets album.
- Was among the first Latin musicians to perform in English on globally televised events like the Grammy Awards.
Notable Juan Gabriel Songs
"Querida" – One of his first big hits, this ranchera infused pop ballad established his signature sound. It remains his most recognized song.
"Hasta Que Te Conocí" – This romantic pop ballad won Juan Gabriel a Grammy Award and has been covered by many artists.
"Amor Eterno" – His heartbreaking tribute song to his late mother is considered one of Mexico‘s most beloved songs.
"Yo No Nací Para Amar" – An ebullient ranchera track exemplifying his upbeat mariachi-pop fusion style.
"Abrazame Muy Fuerte" – The emotional ballad demonstrates his vocal range and gift for conveying longing and heartache.
Music critics widely consider Juan Gabriel one of Latin music‘s most prolific hitmakers and an idol across generations. He crafted enduring classics still cherished by millions of fans today. Though gone too soon at age 66, the iconic "Divo de Juárez" left an unmatched legacy as Mexico‘s most legendary singer-songwriter.
