Legendary Mexican singer Joan Sebastian dies at age 64 after 16 year battle with bone cancer leaving behind seven children 

  • Was on the Top 40 chart in Mexico for almost four decades 
  • First diagnosed with cancer in 1999 but didn't quit rodeo singing till 2014
  • Won seven Latin Grammy Awards and five Grammy Awards

By Heidi Parker For Dailymail.com

Published: 08:49 EST, 14 July 2015 | Updated: 12:07 EST, 14 July 2015

Joan Sebastian has died at the age of 64.

He was a legend in Mexico where the singer - who also went by the name 'El Rey Del Jaripeo' and was often called The King Of The Rodeo - turned out hits for almost four decades.

The crooner died on Monday at his family's ranch in Juliantla, Guerrero, Mexico, according to a Tuesday report from Latin Times.  

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Gone too soon: Mexican singer Joan Sebastian died at the age of 64 on Monday, according to Latin Times

Gone too soon: Mexican singer Joan Sebastian died at the age of 64 on Monday, according to Latin Times

Sebastian had been battling bone cancer since 1999.

In April his son Julian Figueroa confirmed during an appearance on Hoy that his father had checked into the hospital.

'My father is not in the middle of a horrible crisis,' he said.

Loved: He was a legend in Mexico where the singer - who also went by the name 'El Rey Del Jaripeo' and was often called The King Of The Rodeo - turned out hits for almost four decades

Loved: He was a legend in Mexico where the singer - who also went by the name 'El Rey Del Jaripeo' and was often called The King Of The Rodeo - turned out hits for almost four decades

'We are going to inform the public so they are aware and so they won't worry about my father. 

'What is happening is that he's under a new treatment that they are testing on my father. They are doing it at the hospital so they can see the results. My father is stable, obviously with the implications of having cancer, but he isn't in greater danger.'

Joan had shared his fight with the public. In 2007 he battled his illness with success and then again in 2012. When the cancer came back in 2014, he tried to fight again.

With family: The crooner passed away at his family's ranch in Juliantla, Guerrero, Mexico

With family: The crooner passed away at his family's ranch in Juliantla, Guerrero, Mexico

Soon after he retired from performing at rodeos but had no plans to retire from regular tours. 

In early 2014 he said, 'We booked these dates two months ago, I didn't know that I would need chemotherapy again,' he said at the time.

'I am very conscious that this is something I have to deal with and I have fortunately been able to pull through.'

Tough challenge: Sebastian had been battling bone cancer since 1999. In April his son Julian Figueroa confirmed during an appearance on Hoy that his father had checked into the hospital

Tough challenge: Sebastian had been battling bone cancer since 1999. In April his son Julian Figueroa confirmed during an appearance on Hoy that his father had checked into the hospital

Heavily awarded: He had been a hit maker in Mexico since 1977 and was often on the Top 40 charts. The horse-loving singer was also a critical hit. Sebastian won seven Latin Grammy Awards and five Grammy Awards

Heavily awarded: He had been a hit maker in Mexico since 1977 and was often on the Top 40 charts. The horse-loving singer was also a critical hit. Sebastian won seven Latin Grammy Awards and five Grammy Awards

The crooner said he had a hard time going up stairs and standing on stage. He said to reporters, 'I felt weak on stage.'

The Ballad singer had been a hit maker in Mexico since 1977 and was often on the Top 40 charts. His hit songs included Me Gustas, Eso Y Mas and Secreto De Amor. 

The horse-loving singer was also a critical hit. Sebastian won seven Latin Grammy Awards and five Grammy Awards.

And in 2006, Sebastian was inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his seven children: Jose, Julian, Marcelia, Trigo, Juan, Sarelia and Joana. 

A patriarch: He is survived by his seven children: Jose, Julian, Marcelia, Trigo, Juan, Sarelia and Joana

A patriarch: He is survived by his seven children: Jose, Julian, Marcelia, Trigo, Juan, Sarelia and Joana

 

  

 

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