Juan Gabriel

Juan Gabriel

born on 7/1/1950 in Parácuaro, Michoacán, Mexico

died on 28/8/2016 in Santa Monica, CA, United States

Alias Alberto Aguilera Valadez
Juan Gabriel

Juan Gabriel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Juan Gabriel

Alberto Aguilera Valadez (Spanish pronunciation: [aleto ailea alaðes]) (born January 7, 1950), better known by his stage name Juan Gabriel (Spanish pronunciation: [xwa ajel]), is a Mexican singer, songwriter, recording artist, and performer.[1][2]

Biography

Early life

Born on January 7, 1950, on Cinco de Mayo street (now known as Juan Gabriel Street) in the small town of Parácuaro, 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, 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.

Making A Name For Himself

Anxious to spread his songs, which totaled over 100 by this time, to the masses, Alberto left Ciudad Juárez 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 Nicté Ha 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 Juárez. 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 Ciudad Juárez using the stage name Adán Luna. After Alberto made many attempts to perform at the popular nightclub El Noa Noa, the owner David Bencuomo finally gave him 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 Ciudad Juárez 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 crossed paths again with José Alfredo Jiménez. They talked about similarities in their lives and how José Alfredo had gone through the same struggles roughly 25 years earlier when he was beginning his own musical career. After being denied by various recording companies, Alberto returned to Ciudad Juárez and signed his first performing contract at the Malibu nightclub, where he earned $20.00 a night. Here he befriended Lady McCulley, who became like a second mother and supported Alberto financially to return to Mexico City in pursuit of his dreams.

At the age of 19, on this next trip to Mexico City, Alberto was falsely accused of theft and was incarcerated in the Lecumberri jail. The time spent in jail later provided Alberto with the inspiration for the movie titled Es Mi Vida - It's My Life. While in jail, he met Enriqueta "Queta" Jiménez, also known as "La Prieta Linda" - "The Pretty Brown-skinned Lady", who not only advocated on his behalf and gained 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, which became one of the Alberto's earliest authored recordings.

RCA producer Enrique Okamura gave 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 was offered his first recording contract from RCA.

Career

In 1971, at the age of 21, Alberto signs a recording contract with RCA Records 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).[3] 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.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6][7] 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.[8] He also 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.[9]

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.[10] Gabriel's entire song catalogue is published by BMG Music Publishing.[4] Upon reaching the agreement, Gabriel releases the album Gracias Por Esperar - 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 Aniversarios, Solos, Duetos, y Versiones Especiales which contained 25 CDs reflecting the magnitude of his life's work.

Personal life

Juan Gabriel has never married. He has four children. He stated they are not adopted due to the speculation of his sexuality. Laura Castillo, 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."[11] When asked whether he was gay, he replied, "Lo que se ve no se pregunta. Lo que se esconde no se encuentra. 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 "What is seen is not questioned. What is hidden is not found. I have no obligation to tell you things that do not concern you, or anyone else. I believe I am an artist who has given a lot with my songs.

On November 14, 2005, Juan Gabriel was injured when he fell from the stage on to Julio "Me Tiembla" Cedillo at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, and was hospitalized at Texas Medical Center.[12][13] He sustained a fractured wrist. He was also known as the main issue of Julio Cedillo's divorce. They were caught drinking and kissing backstage of the El paso County Coliseum.

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.[10] In 1987, Juan Gabriel founded Semjase,[14] a house for orphaned and underserved children located in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. It serves school children between the ages of 6 to 12.[15]

Awards and achievements

  • In 1986, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley declared October 5 "The Day of Juan Gabriel." [4]
  • Billboard, inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame 1996[16][4]
  • ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award in 1995[17]
  • A six time Grammy nominee[18]
  • Sold 100 million copies of his albums [19]
  • 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[10]
  • La Opinión Tributo Nacional (Lifetime Achievement Award), 1999[10]
  • 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.[10]
  • Singer and Composer Juan Gabriel Takes home 4 Billboard Awards, 2002[20]
  • 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

Select TVography/filmography

  • 1977: Nobleza ranchera[21]
  • 1979: En esta primavera
  • 1980: El Noa Noa
  • 1980: Del otro lado del puente
  • 1982: Es mi vida
  • 1984: Siempre en domingo
  • 1990: Bazar Viena
  • 2000: Evicted
  • 2007: La niñera (animated television series)

Select discography

Albums

  • 1971: El Alma Joven...
  • 1972: El Alma Joven Vol.II
  • 1973: El Alma Joven Vol.III
  • 1974: Juan Gabriel Con El Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan
  • 1975: 10 Exitos de Juan Gabriel
  • 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
  • 1979: Me Gusta Bailar Contigo
  • 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
  • 1986: Frente a Frente, Vol. 1
  • 1987: Frente a Frente, Vol. 2
  • 1988: 14 Exitos Originales Para Ti
  • 1988: Debo Hacerlo
  • 1990: Juan Gabriel en El Palacio de Bellas Artes
  • 1994: Gracias Por Esperar
  • 1995: El México Que Se Nos Fue
  • 1996: Juan Gabriel Con Mariachi, Vol. 2
  • 1996: 25 Aniversario: Solos, Duetos Y Versiones Especiales
  • 1996: Del Otro Lado
  • 1997: Juntos Otra Vez with Rocío Dúrcal
  • 1998: Celebracion de los 25 Años de Juan Gabriel en Bellas Artes
  • 1998: Por Mi Orgullo
  • 1998: Con la Banda...El Recodo with Banda el Recodo
  • 1999: Romanticos!
  • 1999: Todo Está Bien
  • 2000: Abrázame Muy Fuerte
  • 2001: Por Los Siglos
  • 2003: Inocente de Ti
  • 2004: El Unico: Sus Más Grandes Exitos
  • 2004: 15 Exitos de Juan Gabriel
  • 2004: Los 15 Grandes Exitos de Juan Gabriel
  • 2006: La Historia del Divo
  • 2007: Los Gabriel... Simplemente Amigos with Ana Gabriel
  • 2008: Los Gabriel: Cantan a México with Ana Gabriel
  • 2008: Los Gabriel... Para ti with Ana Gabriel
  • 2008: El Divo Canta A México
  • 2009: Mis Canciones, Mis Amigos
  • 2010: Juan Gabriel
  • 2010: Mis Favoritas
  • 2010: Boleros
  • 2012: Celebrando

Singles

  • 1971: "No tengo dinero"
  • 1974: "Se me olvidó otra vez"
  • 1978: "Siempre en mi mente"
  • 1978: "Mis ojos tristes"
  • 1979: "Mañana, mañana"
  • 1980: "He venido a pedirte perdón"
  • 1980: "La diferencia"
  • 1980: "El Noa Noa"
  • 1980: "Yo no nací para amar"
  • 1982: "Insensible"
  • 1982: "No me vuelvo a enamorar"
  • 1984: "Querida"
  • 1985: "Déjame vivir"
  • 1986: "Te lo pido por favor"
  • 1986: "Amor, amor es amor"
  • 1986: "Yo no sé que me paso"
  • 1987: "Qué lástima"
  • 1987: "Hasta que te conocí"
  • 1988: "Debo hacerlo"
  • 1988: "Sólo sé que fue en marzo"
  • 1991: "Amor eterno"
  • 1994: "Pero, ¿qué necesidad?"
  • 1994: "Lentamente"
  • 1995: "El México que se nos fue"
  • 1995: "El palo"
  • 1995: "Canción 187"
  • 1995: "Muriendo de amor"
  • 1996: "Mi bendita tierra"
  • 1996: "Mi pueblo" (with Paul Anka)
  • 1997: "Te sigo amando"
  • 1997: "El destino"
  • 1997: "La incertidumbre" (with Rocío Dúrcal)
  • 1998: "Así fue"
  • 1999: "Adorable mentirosa" (with Banda El Recodo)
  • 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"
  • 2000: "Abrázame muy fuerte"
  • 2001: "Inocente pobre amigo"
  • 2003: "Inocente de ti"
  • 2004: "Yo te recuerdo"
  • 2010: "¿Por qué me haces llorar?"

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.

See also

  • List of best-selling music artists
  • Mariachi

References

  1. Juan Gabriel, Ayer y Hoy
  2. Hispanicnews.com,http://www.hispanianews.com/archive/1999/March19/06.htm
  3. Gabriel, Juan Biography: Contemporary Musicians
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Sears Presents Juan Gabriel's U. S. Tour
  5. [Juan Gabriel at All Music Guide allmusic ((( Juan Gabriel > Biography )))]
  6. [Juan Gabriel at All Music Guide allmusic ((( Juan Gabriel > Biography )))]
  7. Biography at Yahoo Shopping
  8. González, Ángel, Cine y música: en México y el mundo, December 19, 2009. URL accessed on November 9, 2013.
  9. Juan Gabriel Tickets - Concert Tickets for the Juan Gabriel
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Gabriel, Juan Biography: Contemporary Musicians
  11. DICE JUAN GABRIEL Lo que se ve Tele Guía De Chicago
  12. NBC5 Chicago, http://www.nbc5.com/irresistible/5339032/detail.html?z=dp&dpswid=1260382&dppid=65193
  13. Latin Music Superstar Falls 6 Feet Off Stage - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston
  14. Juan Gabriel.com, Bio, http://www.juangabriel.com.mx/AA/bio/biog4.html
  15. Hispanicnews.com, http://www.hispanianews.com/archive/1999/March19/06.htm
  16. [Juan Gabriel at All Music Guide allmusic ((( Juan Gabriel > Biography )))]
  17. [Juan Gabriel at All Music Guide allmusic ((( Juan Gabriel > Biography )))]
  18. [Juan Gabriel at All Music Guide allmusic ((( Juan Gabriel > Biography )))]
  19. [Juan Gabriel at All Music Guide allmusic ((( Juan Gabriel > Biography )))]
  20. Stars Glitter At the 2002 Billboard Latin Music Awards Show, Business Wire, May 10, 2002.
  21. Nobleza ranchera (1977). www.imdb.com. Retrieved on January 9, 2010.

External links

This page was last modified 01.03.2014 15:54:07

This article uses material from the article Juan Gabriel from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.