Bio, Career, Death, Best Songs

  • Jose Alfredo Jimenez was born in January 1926 and died in September 1973 at the age of 47, due to complications from liver cirrhosis
  • Before his untimely demise, he married two women, Paloma Galvez and Alicia Juarez, he had 2 children; Jose Alfredo Jimenez Jr and Paloma with the former
  • Some of his best songs include Ella, Paloma Querida and El Rey

Jose Alfredo Jimenez is one of the icons of modern Mexican music whose musical composition and songwriting abilities inked Mexican music on the world map. His musical journey began on the floor of a restaurant known as ‘La Sirena’ where providence led him to the man that would introduce his unique talent to the musical world. The highlight of his career saw the composition of more than a thousand songs including famous hits; Yo, Me Equivoque Contigo, Ella, Paloma Querida, and El Rey.

Born in January 1926 in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico, ‘The King of Ranchera’ died in November 1973 at the age of 47. Even after death, his legacy lives through his music and those who recorded his songs.

Personal Profile

  • Full name: José Alfredo Jiménez Sandoval
  • Nick Name: El Rey
  • Date of birth: 19 January 1926
  • Died:  23 November 1973
  • Age: 47 years old
  • Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
  • Place of birth: Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico
  • Parents: Maria del Carmen Sandoval Rocha, Agustin Jimenez Tristan
  • Siblings: Ignacio Jiménez Sandoval, Victor Jiménez Sandoval, Concepcion Jiménez Sandoval
  • Nationality: Mexican
  • Marital Status: Married(1970- 1973)
  • Spouse: Alicia Juárez(1970-1973), Paloma Galvez (1952-1960)
  • Children:José Alfredo Jiménez Gálvez, Paloma Jiménez Gálvez

Table of Contents

Life and Times of the Legendary Mexican Composer and Singer

Jose Alfredo Jimenez was born Jose Alfredo Jimenez Sandoval on the 19th of January 1926 in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico. He was the third of four sons born to his parents, Agustin Tristan and Maria del Carmen Sandoval Rocha. His father plied his trade in pharmacy and owned a pharmaceutical store called ‘San Vicente’, the first to be established in Dolores Hidalgo at the time.

While growing up his father’s love for the art of music and literature was so much that he would invite musicians, poets, and politicians to enjoy it most evenings. As this goes on, Jose became fascinated by what he sees and listens to.

Tragedy struck when he was 10. His father died, and the drug store went bankrupt. Consequently, his family moved away to Santa Maria de la Ribera in Mexico City. Life became hard that it broke his family apart and he had to forfeit his education to go in search of jobs to fend for himself.

Firstly, he briefly became a goalkeeper for the football team “Oviedo” and subsequently joined the top division side “Marte.” While this was going on, he landed a job at Sirenati restaurant. It was here his journey to musical ascendency began.

His Musical Journey

While working at the restaurant, he and the son of the restaurant’s owner, Jorge, and brothers, Enrique and Valentin Ferrusa formed a 4-member singing group known as “Jose Alfredo and the Rebels.” Gradually, they gained prominence and began to perform at events such as parties and family gatherings.

Afterward, they got opportunities to sing on radio stations, but the one thing they were unable to get was a record deal.

These two well-known Mexican singers and composers have been attributed differently as people who helped Jose’s career blossom. Firstly, Miguel Aceves Mejia and secondly, Andre Huesca.

The former was said to have come to the restaurant in 1948 in the company of his friends and Jose introduced himself to him as a waiter and a composer. Miguel invited him to an audition at the XEW radio station. After singing some of his songs, Miguel was fascinated by his talents and swore to support him by recording some of his songs.

Whereas in 1951, the latter was reportedly having dinner at the restaurant when Jose sang his new song “Yo” and it was pleasing to his ears. He went on record the song and a few others.

It remains difficult at this moment to actually tell which of the stories is authentic. However, most credible sites credited Miguel Aceves Meija as the man who discovered the legendary Mexican singer and composer. Regardless of this, the two have been mentioned among many Spanish-speaking singers who recorded his songs.

He Married Two Women While Still Alive

The legendary Mexican singer and composer was reportedly involved with a lot of women during his time on earth. Out of the so-called many romances and relationships, only two stood out, Paloma Galvez and Alicia Juarez.

He married Paloma Galvez on 27th June 1952 in Mexico City, Mexico. The wedding was said to be the talk of the town, as it had several guests in attendance including friends and relatives of the couple.

The couple had two children, Jose Alfredo Jimenez Jr., and Paloma. Unfortunately, the marriage hit rock bottom with the pair separating in 1960. The circumstances leading to the separation bordered on the composer’s alleged extra-marital affair. Despite that, the marriage was not nullified, so Paloma Galvez didn’t marry again.

Alicia Juarez, the Mexican singer, and actress was the second woman he married. She was 16 at the time he met her when he was looking for an immediate replacement for one of his dancers that had broken her foot. That was when someone told him about her and that she can sing. He was responsible for launching her career to stardom.

After her graduation from high school, she married him in 1970 until his death in 1973.  She died on 26th August 2017 at the age of 68.

See Also-Rigo Tovar – Life and Death of the Mexican Musician- 5 Facts

He Died at The Age of 47 From Liver Cirrhosis

The composer passed away on the 23rd of November 1973 at the age of 47 in Mexico City. This cause of his death was attributed to complications from cirrhosis of the liver which he was diagnosed with in 1968.

A week before his passing, he was said to have to appear on a TV show “Siempre en Domingo” where he sang his last song Grecias. While the song was a form of appreciation for the love and respect he enjoyed all through his career, it did seem like he knew he was going to die.

Though he is dead, his talents, gifts, and the legacies he shared with the world through his songs would forever remain in the hearts and minds of Mexicans and lovers of good music, especially “Rancheras.”

Discography

Studio Albums

  • La Sota De Copas (1970)
  • El Cantinero (1971)
  • El Rey (1971)
  • Gracias (1972)
  • 15 EXitos Inolvidables De (1983)
  • 12 Exitos De Oro (1988)
  • Lo Esencial (2008)

10 Best Songs

  • Ella 
  • Un Mundo Raro 
  • Que Bonto Amore 
  • La Noche de Mi Mal
  • Muy Despacito
  • Serenata Si Luna
  • El Jinete
  • Vamonos
  • Paloma Querida
  • El Caballo Blanco

Even though Jose Alfredo Jimenez is no more, his legacy lives forever through his songs and compositions, which have been recorded by popular Spanish-speaking artists like Selena, Miguel Aceves Mejia, Enrique Bunbury, Antonio Aguilar, and Julio Iglesias, among others. 

45 years after his death, he was posthumously awarded the Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Mexico Por Siempre! in 2018.

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