Juan Gabriel, one of the biggest superstars to come out of Mexico, has died at the age of 66.
According to TMZ, Gabriel died in Santa Monica, CA on today (August 28th) of a suspected heart attack.
Gabriel was on his MeXXico Es Todo tour – which was spanning 22 cities – and was getting ready to leave to perform in El Paso when he died.
Gabriel resided in El Paso.
Born Alberto Aguilera Valadez, Gabriel was a singer/songwriter and performer, and according to The Hollywood Reporter was number 18 on Billboard Money Makers’ 2015 list.
The $ 11.6 million in revenue from the tour put Gabriel just behind Ed Sheeran and ahead of Florida Georgia Line.
Gabriel was enjoying huge success on the tour, which was 2015’s highest-grossing Latin tour.
Gabriel signed a contract with RCA Records in 1971 when he was just 21. His stage name is dedicated to a former principal, and Gabriel in honor of his late father).
Gabriel recorded 15 albums, sold more than 20 million records and has written and sang more than 1000 songs.
Though he never married, Gabriel is survived by four children, but never revealed the identity of their mother. He only referred to her as “the best friend” in his life.
The one song that Gabriels’ fans consider to be most popular is “Querida.”
According to Wikipedia, Gabriel released Recuerdos, Volume II in 1984, which ended up becoming Mexica’s best-selling album of all time with over eight million copies.
Gabriel has also produced music for singers Dúrcal, Lucha Villa, Lola Beltrán and Paul Anka.
The last time Gabriel’s health made headlines was in 2005, when he fell off the stage at the Toyota Center in Texas and hurt himself.
Gabriel suffered a fractured neck and was bedridden for eight months.
