Gabriel, Juan (1950–)

A Mexican composer and singer, Juan Gabriel was born on January 7, 1950. His original name was Alberto Aguilera Valadez and his childhood was somber. He was raised in Parácuaro, Michoacán, but later moved to Ciudad Juárez, where he began as a composer and singer. He started by composing such songs as "La Muerte del Palomo" (The Death of Palomo; recorded by Rocío Dúrcal), "Ases y Tercia de Reyes" (Aces and a Trio of Kinas) and "Tres Claveles y un Rosal" (Three Carnations and a Rose). His earliest hits were released in 1973, including "En esta Primavera" (In the Springtime) and "Tú Sigues Siendo el Mismo" (You Continue Being the Same). More hit songs followed, including "El Noa Noa" (The Noa Noa), "Con Tu Amor" (With Your Love), "Siempre Estoy Pensando en Ti" (I'm Always Thinking of You), "Frente a Frente" (Face to Face), "Podria Volver" (I Could Return), "Lo Pasado Pasado" (The Past Is Past), "Esta Rosa Roja" (This Red Rose), "Ya no me Vuelvo a Enamorar" (I Will Never Fall in Love) and "NoVale la Pena" (It Isn't Worth the Worry)—all produced over the span of a few years. In 1983 he received a Heraldo award for his Mexican songs and compositions—in particular, "No Vale la Pena," "Caray," and "La Farsante"—that gained international attention throughout South America and Spain as well as Mexico.Well-known for his longtime musical collaboration with Dúrcal, Gabriel is also hailed for his popular nightclub and music school in Ciudad Juárez. He has served as a musical mentor to numerous up-and-coming Mexican singers and musicians.

See alsoMusic: Popular Music and Dancexml .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Emerick, Laura. "Mexico's Juan Gabriel Celebrates Life." Chicago Sun. Times, April 10, 2006.

                                      Peter J. Garcia