Singer and songwriter Juan Gabriel passed away last Sunday at the age of 66. The renowned artist died from a heart attack at his home in Santa Monica, California in the morning of August 28.
The Mexican singer was in the middle of his ‘Mexico Es Todo Tour’. In fact, he had a sold-out show at The Forum Los Angeles two days earlier. Juan Gabriel was going to perform in El Paso, Texas, the day he moved on to a better life.
The Los Angeles Coroner’s office determined this Monday the famous singer died because of a combination of heart issues and a diabetes-related complication. LA’s office did not specify the heart and diabetes problems behind the death of the Juan Gabriel.
Everyone in the world, going from musicians and fans to political leaders, expressed their condolences for the music icon’s death.
The death of Juan Gabriel moved Mexico
The Mexican star was mourned in several places aside from California. People from all over Mexico went out to the streets to honor the icon. Residents of the city where he spent his youth, Ciudad Juárez, pay tribute in plazas and venues of the city this Monday.
Since the beginning of the 1970’s, Mexicans have grown up listening to the emotional ballads of Juan Gabriel. For many of them, the loss of the superstar felt like they were losing a family member.
Social media like Twitter flooded with condolences after the news of his dead became public. Fans shared their memories of him and many said his death brought them to tears.
Remembering Juan Gabriel and his achievements
Juan Gabriel real name was Alberto Aguilera Valadez and he was born on January 7, 1950. He spent his youth in Ciudad Juarez. Because of his flamboyant style and the way he broke barriers within the Latin music market, he was called ‘El Divo de Juarez’.
Gabriel was one of the best-selling singer-songwriters in Latin America. With 32 studio albums and over 1800 songs, he sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
He has the best-selling album of all time in Mexico with his 18th studio album, ‘Recuerdos, Vol. II’
Last April 18, TNT and TV Azteca aired a series based on Gabriel’s life. The series is called ‘Hasta que te conocí’ and Gabriel was portrayed by Colombian actor Julián Román while Gabriel served as an executive producer.
The TV series ended on August 28, coincidentally the day the legendary Mexican music star died.
Source: CNN