LUBBOCK, Texas -
The artist described as the king of Tejano music has died. Emilio Navaira was 53.
According to New Braunfels Police the preliminary results indicate the entertainer died of natural causes. Officers were called to a home there Monday night after relatives reported finding him not breathing. An autopsy has been ordered.
Navaira was at the forefront of bringing Tejano to the masses, along with Selena. He reportedly died of a heart attack Monday. The news was posted to his official twitter account just after Midnight Tuesday morning.
He rose to prominence on the Tejano scene in the 90s, and also recorded two English language country albums. He won a Grammy for best Tejano album in 2002. According to this MTV biography Navaira was born in San Antonio in 1962, son of Emilio Navaira Jr. and Mary Navaira. He grew up on the south side of San Antonio. Early influences include Tejano artists Little Joe y la Familia, Ramón Ayala, and Pedro Infante. He was also influenced by country music legends Willie Nelson, Bob Wills and fellow South Texas native George Strait.
Navaira had a long battle with alcoholism. He almost died in 2008 when he crashed his tour bus. He suffered traumatic injuries but recovered. Navaira pleaded guilty to that wreck.
