Johnny Canales was a Mexican Tejano singer and popular television show host who helped launch the career of singer Selena.
· Died: June 13, 2024 (Who else died on June 13?)
· Details of death: Died in Corpus Christi, Texas at the age of 81.
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Johnny Canales’ legacy
Born in Mexico and raised in the United States, Juan José Canales served overseas in the U.S. Army before returning to the States and getting a job as a radio DJ. He hosted on a Spanish-language station and, when not hosting, played with his band, Johnny Canales y su Orchestra. The gig earned him the attention of Corpus Cristi television station KRIS, which gave him his own TV program in 1983: “The Johnny Canales Show.”
“The Johnny Canales Show” was a regional hit, hosting live music, spotlighting Tejano artists, and filling a major void for Texas TV viewers. It proved popular enough that the half-hour show expanded to an hour and was syndicated throughout the region. By 1988, it was picked up by Univision and became an international favorite. Canales helped launch the career of teen singer Selena, who appeared on his show in 1985 when she was 13, and also featured artists like Los Tigres del Norte, the Texas Tornados, La Sombra de Chicago, La Mafia, and many others. The show moved to Telemundo in 1996.
Canales was awarded Veteran of the Year in 2009 by the League of United Latin American Citizens. In 2016, his work was honored when he was inducted into the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.
He suffered a stroke in 2008, the lingering effects of which he fought for the rest of his days.
Notable quote
“You got it. Take it away.” — Catchphrase frequently used on “The Johnny Canales Show”
Tributes to Johnny Canales
Full obituary: The New York Times
