Mexico has reacted with shock and sadness at the sudden death from a heart attack of Mexican singer, songwriter and producer Juan Gabriel – “El Divo de Juarez” – at the age of 66.
Gabriel’s death dominated coverage on television and radio stations, newspapers and social media over the weekend, and the tributes continued well into this week.
“Latin music has lost a giant, an icon, a legend, someone who marked my entire career,” tweeted singer Marc Anthony.
“He broke taboos, devoured stages and conquered diverse audiences,” said Gabriel Abaroa, the CEO of the Latin Recording Academy.
“His lyrics, music, performances without a doubt projected the essence of the Mexican people,” said President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Even U.S. President Barack Obama weighed in: “He was one of the greats of Latin music – and his spirit will live on in his enduring songs, and in the hearts of the fans who love him.”
Gabriel passed away in Santa Monica, California on August 28, where he was giving a series of concerts as part of the U.S. leg of his “MeXXico es Todo” tour. He was due to sing in front of around 20,000 fans at Guadalajara’s Omnilife Stadium on Saturday, September 3. Stadium owner Jorge Vergara said a tribute to Gabriel will be held in its place.
Few foreigners who have resided in Mexico for any length of time will have not come across the music and flamboyant personality of Gabriel. His songs cover a broad spectrum – ballads, pop, rancheros and even rock – and are usually among the most in demand at family sing-a-longs and karaoke parties.
Closely guarded about his sexuality, Gabriel was assumed to be gay and was revered as an icon by Mexico’s LGBT community. He never married and conceived (allegedly via artificial insemination with a female friend) or adopted four children. Many saw his colorful and effeminate stage persona – he would frequently wear eye makeup – as a statement about his sexuality, although he refused to talk openly about it. Some colleagues say he never came out for fear it would have a negative effect on his career.
The youngest of ten siblings, Juan Gabriel was born to a poor family in Paracuaro, Michoacan. After his father was interned in a psychiatric hospital, he moved with his mother to Ciudad Juarez and was placed in an orphanage/boarding school. After eight years there he absconded and began writing songs and looking for work as a singer. He eventually landed up at the Noa Noa club in Juarez, where he stayed for almost two years. He later penned the song “Noa Noa,” which would become one of his greatest hits and a classic Mexican pop tune.
Determined to make the big time, Gabriel travelled to Mexico City but found it hard to make an impact. Even though he was forced to return home to Juarez and the border city’s club scene, he persisted in his goals, finally earning his first recording contract with RCA Mexico in 1971. From there he never looked back, securing hit after hit in a 15-year spell during which he sold 20 million records.
In a remarkable career, Gabriel has written and recorded more than 1,000 songs, winning a slew of awards and prizes. He has also produced albums for many leading artists, including Lucha Villa, Lola Beltrán and Paul Anka.
Arguably his most famous song, “Querdia,” topped the Mexican charts for almost a year.
For eight years, from 1986-1994, Gabriel refused to record any material because of a dispute with his record label over copyright to his songs.
Despite his age and some health issues, Gabriel has remained at the pinnacle of stardom as he moved into the fifth decade of his career.
In fact, he was number 18 on Billboard’s 2015 Money Makers list, mostly due to US$11.6 million in touring revenue last year. His total estimated worth is considered in excess of $US30 million.