Cover of Fijate Bien
Juanes, the Colombian musician that has won more Latin Grammys than any other artist, has become one of the biggest music stars on the planet, and has fans of all ages and nationalities waiting with baited breath for the next Juanes smash hit. In addition to adoration from fans and critics alike, Juanes has made a reputation for himself as a supporter of good causes all over the world, and using his considerable influence to make the world a better place for all. When a musicians as talented as Juanes also cares about the planet to the degree he does, its no wonder that he has become the super star he is today. But before he was performing at the World Cup or NBA All Star Game, Juanes came in Medellin, Columbia, home of the notorious drug czar Pablo Escobar.
Juanes was born on August 9, 1972 in Medellín, Colombia. His full name is Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez. He got the nickname Juanes, a contraction of Juan and Esteban, from his dad, who called him Juanes when he was a child.
His family had musicians in it, and Juanes started playing musical instruments at a young age. His early musical endeavors were heavily influenced by heavy metal music from the US like Metallica. His guitar stilling still bear the mark of these early influences.
During the 1980s and 90s, Juanes was a memeber of the heavy metal group Ekhymosis. In 1998 the group split up and Juanes launched waht has become an insanely popular solo career.
Juanes broke into the main stream with 2000′s “Fijate Bien,” (Listen Closely) which won three Latin Grammy Awards and was well received by both fans and critics. Since that time Juanes has released four albums as has gone on to win more Latin Grammy Awards (17) than any other artist.
Juanes second album was titled “Un Dia Normal” (A Normal Day) and it went Platinum in many Spanish-speaking countries. The third album released by Juanes was “La Camisa Negra,” (The Black Shirt) which only contributed to his growing popularity. He promoted that album with a gigantic world tour, performing more than 200 times. You can bet that was a popular tour, with people all over the world trying to track down Juanes tickets of all shapes and sizes.
Juanes has gone on to sell more than 10 million records. In 2008, Juanes swept the Latin Grammys and took all five categories he was nominated in. In 2005 Time Magazine named him one of the “100 Most Influential People.” According to Time, Juanes “exemplifies music’s ability to speak to everyone.” “[H]is musicianship on guitar is universal and very powerful. . .
He is an artist whose music comes straight from the genuine spirit of his soul and, because of that, an artist that I think more and more of the world will embrace,” wrote Time’s Quincy Jones.
In 2005, Juanes was the headliner for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany Final Draw evening. And in January of 2009 it was announced Juanes would perform at the NBA All Star Game.
