Javier Solís facts for kids

Javier Solís (born Gabriel Siria Levario on September 1, 1931 – April 19, 1966) was a famous Mexican singer and movie actor. He was known for singing boleros and rancheras, which are popular styles of Mexican music.

Early Life and Challenges

Gabriel Siria Levario was the first of three children. His father was a baker and butcher, and his mother, Juana Levario Plata, was a trader. Juana worked hard at a market stall. Because her spouse was not around, she had little time for her children. She decided to let Gabriel live with his uncle Valentín Levario Plata and his wife, Ángela López Martínez. Gabriel thought of them as his true parents.

Gabriel had to leave school early to help his family. This happened after his aunt Angela passed away. He only finished five years of primary school in Tacubaya, Mexico City. Even then, he loved to join singing contests. After school, he worked many different jobs. He collected bones and glass, moved goods at a supermarket, and worked as a baker and butcher. He also helped carpenters and washed cars. In his free time, he tried amateur boxing. He hoped to become a professional boxer. But after losing some fights, he was told to find a "more decent" job.

Becoming a Singer

Gabriel started singing in competitions using the name "Javier Luquín." The prize for winning was often a new pair of shoes. He won so often that he was eventually not allowed to compete anymore! At this time, he was working as a butcher. He would sing while he worked. His boss, David Lara Ríos, heard him and was very impressed. David encouraged Gabriel to focus on music. He even paid for Gabriel to take singing lessons with a voice coach named Noé Quintero.

When he was 16, Gabriel went to Puebla to sing with a group called Mariachi Metepec. But his big break did not come until two years later. Famous singers Julito Rodríguez and Alfredo Gil from the group Los Panchos discovered him. They helped him get an audition at CBS Records. In 1950, he signed a contract and recorded his first album. He also sang at the Teatro Lirico in Mexico City. There, he met Blanca Estela Saenz, a dancer who later became his wife.

His first hit song, "Llorarás," came out two years later. It was his producer, Felipe Valdes Leal, who gave him his famous stage name: "Javier Solís."

Rise to Fame

Javier Solís became famous internationally around 1957. He started performing in the United States, Central America, and South America. He was one of the first artists to sing in a new style called bolero-ranchera. This style combined boleros, which were usually sung by trios, with the sound of mariachi bands.

Javier Solís was a very talented singer. He could sing many different types of music. Besides boleros, he sang rancheras, corridos, danzones, waltzes, and tangos. Some of his most popular songs included "Sombras," "Payaso," "Vereda Tropical," "En Mi Viejo San Juan," and "Amanecí En Tus Brazos." The last one was a new version of a hit song by José Alfredo Jiménez.

Acting in Movies

Javier Solís started acting in movies in 1959. He appeared in more than 20 films. He worked with other famous actors like Pedro Armendáriz, María Victoria, Antonio Aguilar, and Lola Beltrán. His last movie, Juan Pistolas, was finished in 1965. In the same year, his film Sinful was released.

During his life, people thought he was an even better singer than an actor. He was often compared to other great artists like Jorge Negrete and Pedro Infante. Together with Solís, they were known as the "Three Mexican Roosters." They were the biggest stars of Mexican music and movies.

Later Years and Passing

After Pedro Infante died in a plane crash in 1957, Javier Solís became even more popular. He was seen as the last of the "Three Mexican Roosters." Between 1961 and 1966, the year he passed away, he had 12 songs that reached No. 1 on the Mexican music charts.

On April 12, 1966, just seven days before he died, Solís sang "Perdóname mi vida" on a TV show. He seemed to be in pain during the performance. Javier Solís passed away on April 19, 1966, in Mexico City. He was 34 years old. He died from problems after a surgery to remove his gallbladder.

Lasting Impact

Javier Solís was a very productive artist. He recorded many albums during his career. Even today, many of his albums are still available to buy. Like Pedro Infante, his music continues to be loved by many people.

Images for kids

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  Solís posing with El Santo (right with mask), c. 1960

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  Solís in a photograph taken in April 1966, the month and year in which he died

See also

In Spanish: Javier Solís para niños