IN MEMORIAM: Juan Gabriel will be missed, but his songs live on
Juan Gabriel has so many memorable songs to his name that it’s difficult to choose just one. The Mexican singer, who died this week at the age of 66, is as prolific and celebrated as they come. He could offer audiences romantic ballads followed by mariachi tunes, all the while carving out a place in music history. He will not soon be forgotten.
I had the chance to catch Gabriel live at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, a few years ago. He commanded the stage in the few numbers I was able to catch, basking in the audience’s obvious adoration and his backing band’s skilled accompaniment. He crooned love songs and touched upon several Mexican music traditions.
His recording over the years was as nonstop as his performing. Two songs stand out among the hundreds: “Querida” and “No Tengo Dinero.”
“No Tengo Dinero,” which means “I Have No Money,” is a catchy tune with an infectious beat and memorable lyric that sticks in one’s head long after the song’s final note. The song is from the early part of Gabriel’s career and was a proper window into his meteoric rise.
“Querida” is a masterpiece of a love song — and a personal favorite — that starts out slow and contemplative, and then gains momentum until Gabriel starts belting his lyrics like a seasoned pro. The swooning and exuberance make for a sound that is both unique and powerful.
Repeat listening for both tracks is a necessity.
His discography is daunting in its scope, from 1971’s El Alma Joven, which features “No Tengo Dinero” as the opening track, to the recent Los Dúo, which features duets with Juanes, Marco Antonio Solís, Vincent Fernández, Luis Fonsi and Fifth Harmony. Every year seemed to bring a new Gabriel release and buzz about Latin Grammy Awards.
In light of the unfortunate news, it’s no surprise that Gabriel is currently a best-selling artist on Amazon. As of Aug. 29 at 4 p.m., five of his albums are in the top 10 of the online seller. It seems fans who have flocked to the singer his entire career are continuing to cherish the music.
I had a ticket to Gabriel’s scheduled show at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, in October, but unfortunately his fans will no longer have the chance to take in his live performances. Thankfully, they still have the many recorded songs, plus the memories of when Gabriel brought his unique mastery of music to town.
This singer, so influential that he prompted a statement from President Barack Obama, will be remembered for so many reasons. His larger-than-life live show, which featured dancers and many, many instrumentalists, will go down in history. His lyrical skill and crooning ability are unmatched among singers in Mexico, the United States and throughout Latin America. His showmanship and stage presence are the stuff of legend.
His love of Mexico, Mexicans, Mexican-Americans and all of his listeners will not fade away. Gabriel will be with his fans for a long time.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
