Mexican-born music legend Joan Sebastian, who's best known for the hit song "El Rey Del Jaripeo", died on Monday, July 13 after battling cancer. He was 64.
Sebastian's former wife Maribel Guardia and his son Julian Figueroa, confirmed the singer's death, according to reports. In April, the Mexican singer and composer went through a cancer treatment in Puebla, Mexico.
"A monster came into my life and I have to fight it, that's cancer," Sebastian once said in his statement to a Mexican newspaper. "I had to undergo chemotherapy and that left me almost bald but I still take off my hat (in front of the public). My best regards to those who fight for their lives."
Before reaching the spotlight in the music industry, Joan Sebastian, whose real name is Jose Manuel Figueroa, came from a poor rural area around Mexico.
When he was 8-years-old, he started to show his unique talent in music. But it was only when he reached 14 that he finally realized how much he wanted to pursue a career in music.
Before Sebastian moved out to fulfill his dream, he was able to write various music pieces during his stay at the seminary in Cuaecanava. He then headed to northern Mexico at the age of 17 and eyed some opportunities.
After several tries, Sebastian was finally given a shot at the Capitol Records and debuted his first album "Descartada", referring to his real name, Figueroa.
The composer, who was beloved in the community of Latin music for his ranchero hits and serenading ballads, had recorded a total of 37 albums and worked with various music artists in the Mexican folk music industry all throughout his lengthy career.
Sebastian during his time obtained various awards, including five Grammys and seven Latin Grammys. He had also been inducted in the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame back in the year 2006.
The deceased composer was first diagnosed with bone cancer back in 1997, however, it did not pull him out from doing music. In 2012, Sebastian revealed during his concert that his cancer returned for the third time.
Joan Sebastian had five women and eight children, including his deceased sons Trigo and Juan Sebastian. His son Trigo died during one of his shows in Texas and Juan was shot dead outside a nightclub in Cuernavaca, Morelos.
