Juanes
Background
Page By: Daniela Perez and Cecilia Eilola
Juanes is the name derived from combining Juanes's first and middle name, 'Juan' and 'Esteban'
Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez was born on August 7, 1972 in Carolina del Príncipe, Antioquia, Colombia.
Topography of Carolina del PríncipeCarolina del Príncipe is a mountainous region of Antioquia; it is part of the Central Cordillera (Mountain Range) of the Andes at 5,928 ft above sea level. The town is also surrounded by the Concepción, Minavieja, San Pablo, Tenche, and Guadalupe rivers.
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Economy of Carolina de PríncipeThe economy of Carolina de Príncipe is based primarily on ecotourism, animal husbandry (through the production of milk and pig raising), and the cultivation of corn, sugar cane, rice, and cocoa.
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Throughout his childhood, Juanes was raised in both Carolina del Príncipe and Medellin. Medellin is the capital of Antioquia and during Juanes's childhood a hub for one of Colombia's most powerful drug lords; Pablo Escobar.
Early Life
Love for MusicJuanes’ parents raised cattle and owned a small bodega. Juanes' father had an immense love for music. At the age of seven, Juanes began to learn how to play guitar from his father and his older brothers. Juanes’ passion for guitar led him to learn how to play traditional Latin styles like boleros, tangos, and cumbias as well as Colombian folk styles such as vallenatto and guasca. Although Juanes was a loner and spent many nights practicing his beloved guitar, he sometimes accompanied his brothers to fiestas in their neighborhood and played music there. At the age of 13, Juanes received his first electric guitar and fell in love with rock and heavy metal. Juanes was influenced greatly by groups such as Metallica, Led Zeppelin, The Roller Stones, and Black Sabbath. Although Juanes didn’t understand the music lyrically, he understood it rhythmically.
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HeartacheBeing raised in both Medellin and Carolina del Principe during the 1970’s,1980’s, and 1990's were the drug lord Pablo Escobar reigned supreme, Juanes witnessed violence and felt great grief. One of Juanes’ cousins was executed by kidnappers and a close friend was killed by gunmen. Soon after the death of his cousin and friend, Juanes’ father died from cancer which caused him even more heartache but Juanes channeled his emotions through music. At the age of 15, Juanes formed the rock band Ekhymosis (meaning bruise in Greek). The band made seven studio albums within 10 years and achieved great fame in Colombia.
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Life After Ekhymosis
Solo Career
Unlike many Spanish-language musicians who became involved in English-language crossover during one point or another in their careers, Juanes has won global appeal singing solely in Spanish. Because of this, Juanes has been labeled as one of the biggest and most important popular Latin American artist in the world.
After Juanes left Eyhmosis, he moved to Los Angeles and brought with him many cassette demos. His demos got passed along to Gustavo Santaolalla, a famous Argentine producer and musician. Santaolalla heard promise in Juanes' music, and signed him to his record label, Surco (Universal). In 2000 Juanes released his first solo album, Fíjate bien. Fíjate bien did well in Colombia but was unsuccessful in other countries. However, in 2001 Juanes was nominated for 6 Latin Grammy’s for the album and won 3 for Best Rock Solo Vocal Album, Rock Song, and Best New artist. In 2002 Juanes' second album, Un día normal (A Normal Day), was released. Un día normal was Juanes' breakthrough album which led to global success, critical acclaim, and super-stardom. Since Un día normal, Juanes has come out with four more studio albums; Mi sangre, La vida…es un ratico, P.A.R.C.E., and Loco de amor. All of these albums have increased his fame and won him various music awards. |
Family
Juanes is married to the model, Karen Martinez. The couple has been married since 2004 and have three children together; Luna, Paloma, and Dante. The family lives in Florida.
Juanes and his wife met on the set of his music video for Podemos hacernos daños which was a song from his first album Fijate bien. In 2007 the couple separated but four months later they reconciled their differences and have been together ever since. |
Interesting Facts
On March 10, 2016 The Rolling Stones preformed a concert in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. Juanes was invited on stage by The Stones and together they performed the song Beast of Burden. After the performance Juanes posted all over his social media platforms saying, “I have no words to describe the emotion of sharing a stage with The Rolling Stones, especially in my country. What an honor to have them play here in Colombia and to have the opportunity to join them. It has been a night I will never forget."
Juanes performed for Pope Francis at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia on September 26, 2015. That Saturday, Juanes also shared the stage with Andrea Bocelli and Aretha Franklin.
In 2007 Juanes’ hometown of Carolina del Príncipe, honored him by installing a brass statue of him in the town’s central park.
Sources
Alcalda de Carolina del Prncipe - Antioquia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.carolinadelprincipe antioquia.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml
Cobo, L. (2010). Juanes: Colombian Musician and Latin Grammy Award Winner - AARP VIVA - AARP. Retrieved May 03, 2016, from http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/music/info-12-2010/juanes.html
Eichel, M. (2015, September 29). World Meeting of Families says sorry to Juanes. Retrieved from http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/World-Meeting-of-Families-says-sorry-to-Juanes.html
Hede, M. (2013, July 19). Juanes Biography - Hispanic Culture | Latino Culture | Latin American Culture. Retrieved from http://hispanic-culture-online.com/juanes-biography.html
Juanes Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2004-Di-Ko/Juanes.html
Juanes Loco De Amor Tour Tickets Onsale NOW. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.juanes.net/bio/
Latimer, B. (11, March 11). Juanes Joined The Rolling Stones in Their First Colombia Concert. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/juanes-joined-rolling-stones-their-first-colombia-concert-n536786
Cobo, L. (2010). Juanes: Colombian Musician and Latin Grammy Award Winner - AARP VIVA - AARP. Retrieved May 03, 2016, from http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/music/info-12-2010/juanes.html
Eichel, M. (2015, September 29). World Meeting of Families says sorry to Juanes. Retrieved from http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/World-Meeting-of-Families-says-sorry-to-Juanes.html
Hede, M. (2013, July 19). Juanes Biography - Hispanic Culture | Latino Culture | Latin American Culture. Retrieved from http://hispanic-culture-online.com/juanes-biography.html
Juanes Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2004-Di-Ko/Juanes.html
Juanes Loco De Amor Tour Tickets Onsale NOW. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.juanes.net/bio/
Latimer, B. (11, March 11). Juanes Joined The Rolling Stones in Their First Colombia Concert. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/juanes-joined-rolling-stones-their-first-colombia-concert-n536786