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| Photo: Getty Images |
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Juan Gabriel: Musical Talent
To speak about Juan Gabriel is to speak not only of talent and sensitivity, but also of humility, perseverance and above all, the spirit of survival. It has been 30 years since this singer-songwriter captivated the Mexican audience with the musical talent that emanated from his first ballads: No Tengo Dinero and Me He Quedado Solo. Since then, the famous artist has not only been able to survive in a world characterized by shifting musical styles, but has managed to soar to unimaginable heights.
Today, Juan Gabriel is an idol for millions of fans, not only in Mexico, his country of origin, but in the United States and every single Latin American country as well. With almost 500 songs under his belt, he is the single most prolific composer in his country and has sold more recordings than any other Mexican singer-songwriter. His songs have been performed by more than 200 artists, including Spanish singer Rocío Durcal, José José and Paul Muriat's Orchestra. It would be difficult to find someone who hasn't listened to at least one of his compositions, such as No Vale la Pena, Inocente Pobre Amigo, Querida and No Me Vuelvo a Enamorar, so deeply imbedded are they in the popular sentiment. Amor Eterno, which has become a hymn for all mothers, deserves special mention. Despite its popularity, the song, written in memory of his mother who died in 1974, continues to remind the artist of one of the saddest chapters of his life. "When I was a child," he confesses, "I was a victim of circumstances and wasn't able to enjoy my mother's love because she had to leave me in an orphanage for many years. But life has paid me back because now millions of mothers offer me their love spontaneously and that is why I have dedicated this song to all of them—as a real love prayer." The artist's childhood and adolescence were characterized by adversity. He was born on January 7, 1950, in Parácuaro, Michoacán, to a poor family of farmers. After the death of his father, while he was still a very young child, poverty forced his mother to emigrate to Ciudad Juárez and send him to a children's shelter there, until, at age 13, he was able to escape in order to follow his true calling: music. He began singing in Ciudad Juárezes night spots where he was able to hone his talents, something which much later, and after many tries, opened the doors to success in Mexico City. But for those who are close to him, Juan Gabriel is even more admirable as a human being. Despite the magnitude of his success, he has kept his simplicity and has been willing to share the benefits of his work with the most needy. For years he has maintained a home in Ciudad Juárez for 140 orphans, which also offers them a musical education. He is modest, however, and does not believe that he deserves praise for this. "It is I", he has remarked, "who is thankful for having been given the opportunity to provide so many youngsters with the indispensable tools to get by in life. That's why they learn music, because I know through my own experience, that positive, joyous and musical children have a chance of becoming happy people." At the age of 51, Juan Gabriel's life is still dedicated to his artistic passion and his improvement in all realms, beginning with his own health. He became a vegetarian several years ago and is convinced of the health benefits afforded by this diet. "I don't eat any meat," he says, "because I respect animal life very much." On rare occasions will he allow someone to smoke in his house or his recording studio. His most important goal is the pursuit of
wisdom. He states, "Knowledge is the vehicle to a person's happiness
and lack of knowledge is the downfall of human beings. I credit my quest
for knowledge for what I have been able to accomplish as far as my personal
improvement is concerned. And music has been the most beautiful of pretexts
in the quest for that knowledge." |
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