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Thursday 28 of March 2024

Mexico City Pays Last Farewell to Juan Gabriel


Fans holds a picture of Mexican songwriter and singer Juan Gabriel just in front of Palacio de Bellas Artes, in Mexico City, Sunday, Sept.  4, 2016,photo: AP/Christian Palma
Fans holds a picture of Mexican songwriter and singer Juan Gabriel just in front of Palacio de Bellas Artes, in Mexico City, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016,photo: AP/Christian Palma
The singer died Aug. 28 in Santa Monica, California at age 66 after a 45-year career that marked an era in Mexican popular music

MEXICO CITY — Fans of Juan Gabriel lined the streets of Mexico City to pay their last respects to the singer as a motorcade carried his ashes to a farewell ceremony Monday at the Fine Arts Palace.

The ashes arrived from Ciudad Juárez, where Juan Gabriel grew up and where a memorial ceremony was held over the weekend. The singer died Aug. 28 in Santa Monica, California at age 66 after a 45-year career that marked an era in Mexican popular music.

His family plans to convert his house in Ciudad Juarez into a museum.

Elizabeth Aguilar of Chile was among those who turned out in Mexico City. She said: “I have followed him ever since I can remember, and I have always liked his music.”

Rey Rojas, who has been impersonating Mexican music superstar Juan Gabriel for the last 22 years, poses for fans and photographers outside the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. The Palace of Fine Arts is opening its doors Monday for a public goodbye with full honors for Gabriel. The singer's ashes will be on display for two days to give family, friends, and thousands of fans the opportunity to pay tribute and say goodbye.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rey Rojas, who has been impersonating Mexican music superstar Juan Gabriel for the last 22 years, poses for fans and photographers outside the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell