Juan Gabriel (born Alberto Aguilera Valadez on 7 January 1950) is a Mexican singer and songwriter who is one of the most famous living representatives of the Mexican ranchera, ballad, mariachi, and pop music.
Born in Paracuaro, Michoacán, he attended boarding school in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, but he left to work as a craftsman at the age of 13. Already a songwriter, he began his performing career in nightclubs and local television using the stage name Adán Luna. A lot of his musical skills were also learned from an older man that befriended Alberto at an early age. He perfected playing the guitar and eventually changed his name to Juan Gabriel to honor his friend and his father, dropping Adan Luna completely. Juan became a vegetarian some years ago and is convinced of the health benefits afforded by the diet.
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