Joan Sebastian

José Manuel Figueroa Figueroa Sr. (April 8, 1951 – July 13, 2015), known professionally as Joan Sebastian , was a Mexican singer and songwriter. Born in Juliantla, Guerrero, he composed more than 1,000 songs, including compositions for artists such as Bronco, Vicente Fernández, Lucero, Pepe Aguilar, and Rocío Dúrcal. The first several years of his career were primarily focused on Soft rock and Latin pop songs, but later focused primarily on regional Mexican music, specifically banda, mariachi, and norteño. Throughout his career, he also recorded various country songs in Spanish. Sebastian was awarded seven Latin Grammy Awards and five Grammy Awards, making him the most awarded Mexican performer in Grammy history.

Known for composing "Así es la Vida", Sebastian also worked sporadically as an actor. In 1996, he made his acting debut in the Mexican soap opera Tú y Yo (You and I), sharing credits with Maribel Guardia, his former wife and mother to his son, Julian. In 2015, Sebastian died at the age of 64 of bone cancer. At the time of his death, Sebastian had two number-one albums on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and seven top ten songs on the Hot Latin Songs chart in the United States, including "Eso Y Más", "Me Gustas", "Secreto de Amor", and "Más Allá del Sol".

Early life Joan Sebastian was born in the rural town of Juliantla in Guerrero. He began composing at the age of seven. His mother enrolled him in a school near Guanajuato when he was eight years old, and returned to his hometown three years later.

Career Before embarking on a singing career, Sebastian was an administrative assistant at a vacation resort in Oaxtepec, Morelos, where he would sing through the intercom. In 1968, Sebastian met Mexican actress Angelica Maria. They stayed together and she asked him to sing some songs for her. He later moved to Mexico City and began asking Discos Capitals Records to listen to his music and produce it. In 1974, he recorded his first album, Pedro Parrandas, and received positive feedback from the public. The album and title track won the Lo Nuestro Awards for Regional Mexican Album of the Year and Regional Mexican Song of the Year; he also received the Excellence Award for his musical contributions.

In 2006, Sebastian was inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame for his prolific songwriting and musical arrangements. Sebastian was awarded Songwriter of the Year three times by ASCAP and received the Golden Note Award in 2007 in recognition of his songwriting career.

In 2012, Joan Sebastian teamed up with American songwriter and producer Will.i.am for the song and video "Hey You."

Personal life Sebastian had eight children from five different women. Their names are José Manuel Figueroa González (who is also a singer and songwriter), Juan Sebastián Figueroa González, Trigo de Jesús Figueroa González (first three children with Teresa González, his first wife), Zarelea Figueroa Ocampo (who is also a singer and songwriter), Julián Figueroa Fernández (son of Maribel Guardia, also a singer), Joana Marcelia Figueroa Espín, Juliana Joeri Figueroa Alonso and D'Yavé Figueroa Espín. His third oldest son, Trigo, was shot in the back of the head after one of his father's concerts in Mission, Texas, on August 27, 2006. Trigo had been trying to control the crowd after the show. He was transported to McAllen Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

On June 12, 2010, his second oldest son, Juan Sebastián was shot dead in Cuernavaca, Morelos, after arriving at a night club with some friends and being refused entrance. Joan Sebastian said his son's death had nothing to do with the Mexican drug cartels.

A few months after his death, Televisa announced that a series about his life would begin filming. His youngest son, Julian Figueroa, portrayed his father in his younger days, while his older son, José Manuel Figueroa, portrayed his father in his later days. Livia Brito was also confirmed to portray Maribel Guardia. The series Por Siempre Joan Sebastian premiered on June 27, 2016 on Univision and concluded on July 25, 2016. Julian passed away on April 9, 2023 from a heart attack at the age of 27

Illness and death Joan Sebastian was first diagnosed with bone cancer in 1999. He underwent cancer treatment and survived; however, he announced that the cancer had returned in 2007. Undergoing cancer treatment once again, he later announced he was in remission. On July 26, 2012, during one of his concerts, he announced that the cancer had returned for the third time. In 2014, he revealed that he was battling cancer for the fourth time during his performances in Zacatecas.

Weeks prior to his death, he confirmed to the media that he had been hospitalized and undergoing cancer treatment under medical supervision. On July 13, 2015, Joan Sebastian died at 7:15pm (UTC-06:00) at his ranch Cruz de la Sierra, Teacalco Guerrero, Mexico, due to bone cancer. He was 64 years old. His body was buried in a cemetery in Juliantla near his son Trigo.

Relatives of the late singer complained in July 2020 that Sebastian's mausoleum had been broken into and the family feared that his remains might be stolen. Security measures were increased.

Discography

Sebastian recorded the following studio albums during his music career:

Studio albums

Billboard Hot Latin Songs singles

https://www.billboard.com/artist/joan-sebastian/chart-history/htl/

Un Idiota (#2) Te Irá Mejor Sin Mí (#2) Secreto de Amor (#3) Me Gustas (#3) Oiga (#4) Manantial de Llanto (#4) El Padrino (#4) Eso y Más (#6) Vienticinco Rosas (#10) Mascarada (#13) El Primer Tonto (#15) El Perdedor (#16) Contigo o Sin Ti (#19) Amorcito Mío (#19) Y las Mariposas (#21) Afortunado (#21) Hasta Que Amanezca (#22) Así Te Quiero (#23) Alma de Niña (#24) Caricatura (#24) Gracias Por Tanto Amor (#24) Porqué Te Quise (#24) Llorar (#25) Amar Como Te Amé (#26) Que Diós Bendiga (#26) El Peor de Tus Antojos (#29) Diseñame (#31) Cascadita de Te Quieros (#32) Sigo Vivo (#35) Lobo Domesticado (#37) Pienso en Ti (#39) Sentimental (#42) Si Está Volviendo Loco (#44) Como Olvidar (#44) Que Bonita Pareja (#46) El General (#49) Barrio Viejo (#49) Volví Pa'l Pueblo (#49)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref. 2002 Grammy Award Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album Lo Dijo el Corazón Latin Grammy Award Best Grupero Album 2003 Grammy Award Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album Afortunado Latin Grammy Award Best Regional Mexican Song "Afortunado" Best Banda Album Afortunado 2006 Grammy Award Best Banda Album Más Allá del Sol Latin Grammy Award Best Banda Album Best Grupero Album En el Auditorio Nacional 2008 Grammy Award Best Banda Album No Es de Madera Latin Grammy Award Best Regional Mexican Song "Estos Celos"