Around the world, an outpouring of grief has produced beautiful tributes to legendary singer-songwriter and queer Mexican icon Juan Gabriel, who passed away suddenly on Sunday. Makeshift memorials, stunning artworks, and images of the star gracing the front covers of newspapers from Ecuador to Puerto Rico illustrate the impact of the artist who sold more than 100 million records during his 45-year career.
As they wiped away tears, fans sang and left candles, flowers, and letters in memorials at the Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City, his home in Cuidad Juarez, his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and outside the Haskins Center in El Paso where Gabriel was scheduled to perform Sunday night.
In Chicago’s Plaza Garibaldi in the Little Village neighborhood, youth from the Chicago Mariachi Project performed a musical tribute to the beloved star.
Gabriel’s agent said the artist died peacefully at his home in Santa Monica on Sunday morning, and the Los Angeles coroner’s office stated that no autopsy would be performed due to the artist’s medical history. According to a statement released today, Gabriel’s family is planning a memorial service this weekend in Juarez followed by a public celebration in the coming weeks.