One of Mexico's most beloved ballad singers, Juan Gabriel, is currently undergoing operations on his legs, spine and forehead, due to injuries sustained when he fell offstage backwards a few days ago during a show in Houston, in front of a full auditorium of shocked spectators.

Gabriel has always been an interesting figure to me: Since he rose to stardom in the late-1960's, he has been more-or-less openly gay; everyone in Mexico has always known about it, and absolutely nobody cares... the way he sells a ballad is all that matters to them.

I finished reading Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez' 'Playing With Boys' not long ago...he is the protagonist's favorite singer. She's a female talent agent, has a chihuahua named "Juanga" in honor of him...hope he recovers fully! - (fun book, btw)