Singer Johnny Laboriel died in the early morning of Wednesday, Sept. 18, a victim of prostate cancer.
According to Mexican newspaper El Universal, the news was released by Televisa through the official Twitter account of their news program:
Johnny Laboriel pierde la batalla contra el cáncer https://t.co/BXfQYUKZNY
— Noticieros Televisa (@NTelevisa_com) September 18, 2013
Simultaneously, Priest José de Jesús Aguilar, who is known for his interaction with show business and is the subdirector of Radio and Television for the Mexico Archdiocese, also announced the loss of the rocker through his Twitter account:
Johnny Laboriel inició una nueva gira. Gracias por su amistad y tantos éxitos! pic.twitter.com/OzGw7tJY5y — Padre José Aguilar (@PadreJosedejesu) September 18, 2013
Sigamos orando por Johnny Laboriel. Ayer le puse los Santos Óleos y su situación es muy delicada @diariobasta @TVNotasmx @Flor_Rubio — Padre José Aguilar (@PadreJosedejesu) September 17, 2013
The newspaper points out that the Mexican Rock 'n' Roll singer had been hospitalized since last Aug. 10 in the National Cancer Institute and was discharged to rest in his house for the last days of life.
Johnny Laboriel was 72 years old and his real name was José Laboriel López. He planned to offer a concert in the Lunario of the National Auditorium in Mexico City as a celebration of his 55 years of artistic career next Jan. 24, 2014.
Mexican actress Angélica María, according to El Universal, sent a support and solidarity message days before. "Johnny Laboriel you will get better because you are the best friend, the best boy, nice, good. We all love you and we're sending you all sorts of good vibes," the message said.
CNN also shared the message the singer gave to his family days before he died. "I just want them to say when I leave that I'm on tour and that I'll come back later," Laboriel said. Meanwhile, his family shared on Facebook, "To him people were the most important thing. Thank you for your words."
The source explains the long trajectory of the singer born in 1942 in Mexico City. Laboriel ventured into Rock 'n' Roll in 1960 with the band "Los Rebeldes del Rock" and charmed the public with songs like "Rock del Angelito" and "Melodía de Amor" before starting his solo career in 1963.