Joan Sebastian, the Mexican music superstar best known for his song “El Rey Del Jaripeo,” died Monday in Mexico after a long battle with bone cancer. He was 64.
Julián Figueroa, Sebastian’s son, and Maribel Guardia, the singer’s ex-wife, confirmed the news, according to the Latin Times.
Born Jose Manuel Figueroa in a poor rural area of Mexico, Sebastian was beloved in the Latin music community for his beautiful ballads, ranchera hits and dazzling showmanship.
During his lengthy career, he won seven Latin Grammy Awards and five Grammy Awards and also appeared on the Mexican soap opera “Tú y Yo (You and I).”
Sebastian was first diagnosed with bone cancer in 1997, but it did not stop him from making music. However, in July 2012 he announced during a concert that it had returned for a third time.
Early 2014, he stood by commitments to performances in Zacatecas despite undergoing chemotherapy.
“I am very conscious that this is something I have to deal with and I have fortunately been able to pull through,” the “King Of Jaripeo” said at the time. However, he remained seated during his show, telling reporters: “I felt weak on stage.”
Sebastian had eight children by five different women. His son Juan Sebastián was shot dead in Cuernavaca, Morelos, outside a nightclub.
Listen to one of the singer’s songs below, and then learn more about the singer.