Johnny Laboriel

Considered one of the earliest exponents of the Golden Age of Mexican rock and roll, singer-songwriter Johnny Laboriel began his musical journey in the late 1950s as the lead vocalist of the seminal rock band Los Rebeldes del Rock. Born Juan José Laboriel López on July 9, 1942, in Mexico City, he is the son of Honduran actor and composer Juan José Laboriel and actress Francisca López. Both of his younger siblings, bassist Abraham Laboriel and singer Ella Laboriel, also enjoyed great prestige as performers, with the former becoming one of the most sought-after session players in modern music. Shortly after joining Los Rebeldes del Rock in 1958, Johnny Laboriel lent his voice to over 50 hit singles that dominated the Mexican airwaves, including "Rock del Angelito" (1960), "Melodía de Amor" (1961), and "Corre Sansón, Corre" (1962). In 1963, he quit the group to embark on a solo career, making his official debut with the LP Qué Hice Yo de Malo the following year. A collaborative album with his sister, Ela y Johnny Laboriel, ensued in 1967, followed by an eponymous full-length in 1970. Over the next few years, he finished in fifth place in the 1978 OTI Festival with the Felipe Gil-penned song "Señora Corazón" and was a regular guest in numerous TV shows. Even though he retreated from the spotlight in the following decades, Johnny Laboriel still made time to perform and collaborate with other artists, making appearances at live shows by El Tri and El Haragán y Compañía during the early aughts. He passed away from prostate cancer on September 18, 2013, in Mexico City.