Javier Solís was one of the most famous and influential mariachi singers and actors in Mexico. He rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s with his distinctive style of bolero-ranchera, a fusion of romantic boleros and traditional rancheras. He also starred in more than 20 movies, sharing the screen with other icons of Mexican cinema. However, his brilliant career was cut short by a sudden and unexpected death that shocked his fans and the entire nation. What was the cause of death of Javier Solís? How did he die at the young age of 34? In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Javier Solís, as well as the circumstances surrounding his tragic demise.
Early Life and Career
Javier Solís was born as Gabriel Siria Levario on September 4, 1931, in Tacubaya, Mexico City. He was the first of three children of Francisco Siria Mora, a baker and butcher, and Juana Levario Plata, a trader. His parents had a troubled marriage and eventually separated, leaving Gabriel under the care of his uncle Valentín Levario Plata and his wife Ángela López Martínez, whom he considered his real parents. Gabriel had a difficult childhood, dropping out of school at an early age to help support his family. He worked as a bone and glass collector, a supermarket transporter, a baker, a butcher, a carpenter’s helper, and a car washer. He also trained as an amateur boxer, hoping to become a professional fighter, but his father persuaded him to pursue a more “decent” career.
Gabriel discovered his passion for singing when he participated in local contests, where he would win prizes such as shoes or clothes. He adopted the stage name of Javier Luquín and began performing in restaurants and bars with various musical groups. His talent caught the attention of Julito Rodríguez and Alfredo Gil, members of the famous trio Los Panchos, who took him to audition at CBS Records in 1950. There he signed a contract and recorded his first album. His producer Felipe Valdés Leal gave him the definitive name of Javier Solís, inspired by the Spanish poet Antonio Machado.
His first hit song was “Llorarás” in 1952, which established him as one of the leading voices of bolero-ranchera, a genre that combined the romanticism of boleros with the folklore of rancheras. He also added waltzes, tangos, corridos, and huapangos to his repertoire, demonstrating his versatility and mastery of different musical styles. He became known as “El Rey del Bolero Ranchero” (The King of Bolero-Ranchera), “La Voz de Terciopelo” (The Velvet Voice), and “El Señor de las Sombras” (The Lord of Shadows), among other nicknames.
International Fame and Acting Career
Javier Solís achieved international fame in 1957 when he began touring in the United States and Latin America. He performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. He also recorded songs in English, Portuguese, Italian, and Japanese, expanding his audience and influence. He was admired by millions of fans who loved his expressive and emotional singing style.
Solís also ventured into acting, appearing in more than 20 films between 1959 and 1966. He starred alongside other stars of Mexican cinema such as María Victoria, Lola Beltrán, Luis Aguilar, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Sara García, and Silvia Pinal. Some of his most notable movies were “Escuela de Rateros” (School of Thieves), “Los Perversos” (The Perverse Ones), “Los Hermanos Muerte” (The Death Brothers), “El Pecador” (The Sinner), “Buenas Noches Año Nuevo” (Good Night New Year), and “Juan Pistolas” (John Pistols). He also recorded soundtracks for some of his films, such as “Payaso” (Clown) and “Sombras” (Shadows).
Death and Legacy
Javier Solís married Blanca Estela Saenz in 1957. They had no children but adopted two boys named Francisco Javier and Gabriel Eduardo. Solís was devoted to his family and often dedicated songs to them on stage or on radio programs. He also supported various charitable causes and helped young singers who wanted to follow his footsteps.
In early 1966, Solís began to experience abdominal pain that prevented him from performing normally. He was diagnosed with gallstones and underwent surgery on April 15 at the Sanatorio San Angel Inn in Mexico City. The operation was successful, but Solís made a fatal mistake: he drank water before he was allowed to do so. This caused an infection and a hemorrhage in his digestive system, leading to septic shock and multiple organ failure. He died on April 19, 1966, at 8:30 a.m., surrounded by his family and friends. His last words were reportedly “I’m thirsty, I’m dying”.
His death caused a national mourning and a massive media coverage. Thousands of fans attended his funeral and burial at the Panteón Jardín cemetery, where he rests next to his uncle Valentín and his aunt Ángela. His widow Blanca Estela never remarried and dedicated herself to preserving his memory and legacy. She died in 2018 at the age of 88.
Javier Solís left behind a rich and extensive musical legacy that includes more than 300 songs recorded in 20 albums. His songs have been covered by countless artists from different genres and generations, such as Vicente Fernández, Luis Miguel, Alejandro Fernández, Pedro Infante, José José, Rocío Dúrcal, Marco Antonio Solís, Pepe Aguilar, Ana Gabriel, and many more. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential singers in the history of Mexican music. He is also remembered as a humble and generous man who loved his family and his fans. His voice and his songs continue to touch the hearts of millions of people around the world. According to AllMusic, he was “one of the earliest mariachi stars, a singer of boleros and rancheras on record and in film until his early death”. According to Wikipedia, he was “a Mexican singer and actor” who “specialized in the musical genres of bolero and ranchera”. According to MundoNOW, he was “the shocking death of ‘El Rey del Bolero’, Javier Solís”.
