Luis Miguel Gallego Basteri, often called "El Sol de Mexico," is a renowned Mexican singer and record producer. Born in Puerto Rico to a Spanish father and an Italian mother who nicknamed him "Mi sol," he's known for his wide vocal range across genres like pop, ballads, boleros, and even jazz. Notably, he chose to remain true to his Latin roots and didn't follow the trend of crossing over to English music during the 1990s "Latin Explosion."
April 1970: Birth of Luis Miguel
Luis Miguel Gallego Basteri was born in April 1970 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Though born in Puerto Rico, he is of mixed heritage with an Italian mother and a Spanish father.
1981: Start of Music Career
Luis Miguel's musical career began in Mexico in 1981, launching a lifelong journey in the music industry.
1982: Debut Album "Un Sol" and Early Success
Luis Miguel released his first album, "Un Sol," at the young age of 11 in 1982, under the label of EMI Records' Mexican branch. This debut album earned him his first gold disc, marking the beginning of his successful career. His hit single "1+1=Dos Enamorados" from the album garnered significant popularity.
1983: Film Debut with "Ya Nunca Más"
Luis Miguel made his acting debut in the film "Ya Nunca Más" in 1983, expanding his creative endeavors beyond music. The film was later released in 1984.
1984: "Palabra de Honor" and Exploring Spanish Pop-Rock
Luis Miguel released his fourth studio album, "Palabra de Honor," in 1984, produced by Honorio Herrero. This album showcased a shift in his musical style towards Spanish pop-rock.
1985: Success at Sanremo Music Festival and Collaboration with Sheena Easton
At the age of 15, Luis Miguel participated in the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival in 1985 and achieved second place with his song "Noi Ragazzi Di Oggi." The same year, he received the "Antorcha de Plata" Award at the Viña del Mar Music Festival for his duet single "Me Gustas Tal Como Eres" ("I Like You Just As You Are") with renowned Scottish singer Sheena Easton. He also starred in the film "Fiebre de amor."
1986: Disappearance of Luis Miguel's Mother
Luis Miguel's mother disappeared in 1986. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
1986: Professional Separation from Father
Luis Miguel's relationship with his father, who was also his manager, deteriorated in 1986 due to alleged financial mismanagement and disagreements over his career. This led to Luis Miguel firing his father and embarking on a new chapter in his professional life. He signed with Warner Records shortly after.
May 1987: "Soy Como Quiero Ser" and Signing with Warner Records
In May 1987, Luis Miguel released his album "Soy Como Quiero Ser." The album sold over 2.5 million copies, a testament to his growing popularity. This album was notable for its Spanish adaptations of famous English songs, including "Ahora Te Puedes Marchar" and "Yo Que No Vivo Sin Ti."
November 1988: Release of "Busca una Mujer"
Luis Miguel released his second album, "Busca una Mujer," in November 1988. The album's lead single, "La Incondicional," became a massive hit and solidified his transition from a child star to a mature artist.
June 1989: Birth of Luis Miguel's First Child
Luis Miguel's first child, from his relationship with Stephanie Salas, was born in June 1989.
1989: Success of "La Incondicional" and New Image
"La Incondicional," the lead single from "Busca una Mujer," became a top-ten hit across Latin America in the first half of 1989. The song's popularity was further fueled by its music video, which surprised fans with Luis Miguel's new, shorter haircut, marking his transition from a child star to an adult artist. By the end of the year, his single "Fría Como el Viento" reached number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.
1990: Release of "20 Años" and International Acclaim
The release of Luis Miguel's album "20 Años" in 1990 marked a pivotal point in his career. The album sold 600,000 copies in its first week and led to highly successful international tours. Three singles from this album, "Tengo Todo Excepto A Ti," "Entrégate," and "Amante del amor," gained immense popularity, with the former two reaching the number one spot on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart in 1990.
1990: Boxscore Begins Tracking Touring Data
Boxscore started tracking touring data in 1990, marking the beginning of quantifiable records for artists' touring success.
1990: Chart-Topping Success with "Separados"
Luis Miguel continued his success in 1990 with his single "Separados," which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.
1991: Reinventing Bolero with "Romance"
Luis Miguel's album "Romance," released in 1991, showcased his ability to reintroduce and revitalize the bolero genre for contemporary audiences, earning him wider recognition and acclaim. The album went on to sell an impressive 7 million units globally.
1991: RIAA Recognition and "Sinatra: 80 Years My Way"
In 1991, Luis Miguel received recognition from the RIAA for the high sales of his albums "Romance" and "Segundo Romance." He also became the only Latin artist to perform at the "Sinatra: 80 Years My Way" show, sharing the stage with icons like Bruce Springsteen, Natalie Cole, and Bob Dylan.
1991: Release of "Romance" and Recognition by RIAA
In 1991, Luis Miguel released the album "Romance," which would later become one of the best-selling Latin albums of all time, as recognized by the RIAA. This album marked a significant moment in his career.
1993: Grammy Win and Collaboration with Frank Sinatra
Luis Miguel's album "Aries" won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album in 1993. He was also invited by the legendary Frank Sinatra to collaborate on Sinatra's "Duets II" album. The highlight of the year was his performance alongside Sinatra and other music icons like Stevie Wonder and Natalie Cole in a nationally televised special celebrating Sinatra's 80th birthday.
1994: Release of "Segundo Romance" and Continued Success
Following the success of "Romance," Luis Miguel released "Segundo Romance" in 1994, further establishing him as a versatile artist capable of delivering timeless Latin classics. The album earned him another Grammy Award and achieved platinum status in the United States.
1996: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star and "Nada Es Igual" Release
In recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry, Luis Miguel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996, becoming one of the youngest male singers to receive this honor. Following this achievement, he released the pop album "Nada Es Igual," featuring the song "Sueña," which was the main theme for Disney's animated film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."
1997: Release of "Romances" and Chart-Topping Single
Luis Miguel released his third album in the bolero series, "Romances," in 1997. The album was a commercial success, selling over 5 million copies. Its lead single, "Por Debajo de la Mesa," topped the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, solidifying his dominance in the genre.
1997: "Romances" Breaks Barriers
Luis Miguel's 1997 album "Romances" made history by becoming the first-ever Spanish-language album to debut at number 14 on the Billboard Top 200.
1998: Grammy and Billboard Latin Music Awards
Luis Miguel's successful year continued in 1998 as he received the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance for "Romances." In addition, he was honored with the Billboard Latin Music Award for "Male Pop Album of the Year." His global impact was further recognized with the World Music Award for "Best Selling Latin Artist."
1999: Record-Breaking Tour (1999-2000)
Between 1999 and 2000, Luis Miguel embarked on a highly successful tour across Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Brazil, and Spain. The tour, consisting of 99 concerts, drew approximately 1.4 million fans. At the time, it set records as the highest-grossing and most extended tour by a Latin artist.
1999: Release of "Amarte Es un Placer"
In 1999, Luis Miguel released his ninth studio album, "Amarte Es un Placer".
2000: Record-Breaking Tour (1999-2000)
Between 1999 and 2000, Luis Miguel embarked on a highly successful tour across Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Brazil, and Spain. The tour, consisting of 99 concerts, drew approximately 1.4 million fans. At the time, it set records as the highest-grossing and most extended tour by a Latin artist.
2000: Latin Grammy Awards for "Amarte Es un Placer"
Luis Miguel's album "Amarte Es un Placer" won two Latin Grammys in 2000: Best Album of the Year and Best Pop Album of the Year. The album's single, "O Tú, O Ninguna", topped the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart for eight weeks.
2001: Release of "Mis Romances" and Tour
In 2001, Luis Miguel released "Mis Romances," his fourth bolero album, which sold over two million copies worldwide. He followed this with his Mis Romances Tour across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.
2003: Recognition in Spain and Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2003, Prince Felipe of Spain presented Luis Miguel with an award recognizing him as the best-selling foreign artist in Spain's history. Additionally, Luis Miguel received a Lo Nuestro Awards' "Premio Lo Nuestro a la Excelencia," a lifetime achievement award. At 33, he was the youngest recipient of this award.
2003: Release of "33" and Tour
In 2003, Luis Miguel released "33," his first pop album in four years. The album topped Billboard's Latin Charts, leading to two Billboard Awards, a Grammy nomination, and a Latin Grammy nomination. Luis Miguel's 33 Tour included performances at major venues in the U.S. and Latin America. In Chile, the album sold 2.5 million copies, making Luis Miguel the best-selling artist in Chile's history.
2004: Release of "Mexico En La Piel"
Luis Miguel's album "Mexico En La Piel", a collection of traditional Mexican mariachi songs, was released in 2004 and went on to sell five million copies worldwide.
September 2005: Start of the Mexico En La Piel Tour
Luis Miguel's 123-date Mexico En La Piel Tour kicked off in September 2005 in Mexico.
2005: Release of "Grandes Éxitos" and "Navidades"
Luis Miguel released his first greatest hits album, "Grandes Éxitos," in 2005. It included two new singles: "Misterios Del Amor" and "Si Te Perdiera." That same year, he also put out a Christmas album called "Navidades," which reached number one on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart.
2005: Success of "Mexico En La Piel Tour"
Luis Miguel's "Mexico En La Piel Tour," spanning from 2005 to 2007, reached the top spot on the Billboard World Top Boxscore.
2006: Mexico En La Piel Tour Success and Performances at the National Auditorium
In 2006, Luis Miguel had a 30-show run at Mexico City's National Auditorium as part of his Mexico En La Piel Tour. The tour had legs in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay and won the Billboard "Tour of the Year." It was also No. 1 on the Billboard World Top Boxscore.
2006: "Estela de Plata" Award
In 2006, during his "Mexico En La Piel Tour," Luis Miguel received the "Estela de Plata" award. This recognition followed a run of 30 consecutive sold-out shows at Mexico's Auditorio Nacional, where he performed for over 260,000 fans.
January 2007: Birth of Luis Miguel's Second Child
Luis Miguel's second child, from his relationship with Aracely Arámbula, was born in January 2007.
2007: Conclusion of "Mexico En La Piel Tour"
Concluding in 2007, Luis Miguel's "Mexico En La Piel Tour" spanned two years and encompassed 129 concerts. The tour drew over 1.5 million attendees and generated approximately $95 million in revenue.
April 2008: Release of Single "Si Tú Te Atreves"
"Si Tú Te Atreves," the first single from Luis Miguel's album "Cómplices," was released in April 2008.
May 2008: Release of "Cómplices"
Luis Miguel's album "Cómplices" was released in May 2008 and sold almost 350,000 copies in its first 24 hours. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, giving Luis Miguel the most No. 1 albums on that chart.
September 2008: Start of the Cómplices Tour
In September 2008, Luis Miguel kicked off his Cómplices Tour in Seattle, Washington.
December 2008: Birth of Luis Miguel's Third Child
Luis Miguel's third child, from his relationship with Aracely Arámbula, was born in December 2008.
2008: Grammy Nomination for "Navidades"
Luis Miguel's album "Navidades" achieved a milestone in 2008 by becoming the first Christmas album to receive a Grammy nomination in the Pop category.
2008: Release of "Cómplices"
Luis Miguel released his album "Cómplices" in 2008. This album achieved mainstream success, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.
April 2010: Hospitalization
In April 2010, Luis Miguel was briefly hospitalized at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, though the cause was not disclosed.
September 2010: Release of Self-Titled Album
Luis Miguel released a self-titled studio album in September 2010. "Labios de Miel" was the album's first single.
November 2010: Start of Tour in Lima, Peru
In November 2010, Luis Miguel started a tour in Lima, Peru.
2010: Luis Miguel Tour
Luis Miguel embarked on the "Luis Miguel Tour" in 2010, which spanned 22 countries across North America, South America, and Europe. With 223 shows over three years, this tour became the longest and highest-grossing tour ever accomplished by a Latin artist.
2011: High-Grossing "Luis Miguel Tour"
In 2011, Luis Miguel's tour, simply titled "Luis Miguel Tour," achieved significant commercial success, ranking as the fifth highest-grossing tour in North America that year.
February 2012: Performance at Viña del Mar International Song Festival
Luis Miguel's February 2012 performance at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival made him the highest-paid performer in the festival's history.
August 2013: Performance at Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival
Luis Miguel performed at the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival in August 2013.
August 2014: Leak of "Déjà Vu"
In August 2014, the song "Déjà Vu" was leaked online.
July 2016: Ruling in William Brockhaus Case
In July 2016, a court ordered Luis Miguel to pay his former manager, William Brockhaus, over one million dollars.
May 2017: Legal Case and Surrender
On May 2, 2017, Luis Miguel surrendered to the U.S. Marshals due to a case with his former manager, William Brockhaus, involving an unpaid debt of over one million dollars ordered in July 2016. He was released the same day after signing a promissory note.
October 2017: Release of Single "La Fiesta del Mariachi"
In October 2017, Luis Miguel released his single "La Fiesta del Mariachi."
2017: Release of "¡México Por Siempre!"
In 2017, Luis Miguel released the album "¡México Por Siempre!" This album marked his second time reaching number 1 on the Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart, further solidifying his influence in the genre.
February 2018: Start of Tour in Mexico City
In February 2018, Luis Miguel began a tour at Mexico City's National Auditorium.
2018: Expected Release of Bio-Series
A bio-series based on Luis Miguel's life was expected to air in 2018.
September 2019: End of Tour in Las Vegas
Luis Miguel's tour ended in Las Vegas in September 2019.
October 2020: Billboard's Greatest of All-Time Latin Artists Chart
By October 2020, Luis Miguel achieved the impressive ranking of number two on Billboard's Greatest of All-Time Latin Artists chart, a testament to his enduring impact and legacy.