José Alfredo Jiménez

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

José Alfredo Jiménez

Role / Field:

Pioneering Mexican singer-songwriter, foundational to modern Ranchera music.

Born:

1926-01-19

Died:

1973-11-23

Century / Era:

1926s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

José Alfredo Jiménez Sandoval (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse alˈfɾeðo xiˈmenes]; 19 January 1926 – 23 November 1973) was a Mexican actor and singer-songwriter, whose songs are regarded as the basis of modern Regional Mexican music and Rancheras. Jiménez was born in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico. His father died when he was ten years old, and his mother moved the family to Mexico City. Jiménez worked from a young age to help support his family.

Key Developments & Impact

He took a job as a waiter at a Yucatacan restaurant in Santa María de la Ribera named La Sirena. While working there, he started writing songs and singing with a group called Los Rebeldes. In his youth, Jiménez enjoyed playing football as a goalkeeper. He and Antonio Carbajal—who would later become a legendary Mexican goalkeeper and the first player to participate in five FIFA World Cups—competed for the goalkeeper position at the amateur club El Oviedo in Santa María la Ribera, Mexico City, in 1942. The singer Miguel Aceves Mejía claims to have discovered him from Los Rebeldes.

Enduring Legacy

According to Mejía, Jiménez did not play an instrument and did not even know the Spanish word for "waltz" or what keys his songs...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1926 (1926-01-19): Birth of José Alfredo Jiménez — Pioneering Mexican singer-songwriter, foundational to modern Ranchera music.
2. 1942: 1942 Milestone — He and Antonio Carbajal—who would later become a legendary Mexican goalkeeper and the first player to participate in five FIFA World Cups—competed for the goalkeeper position at the amateur club El Oviedo in Santa María la Ribera, Mexico City, in 1942.
3. 1973 (1973-11-23): Passing & Historical Legacy — José Alfredo Jiménez passed away on 1973-11-23, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: José Alfredo Jiménez

True or False: “José Alfredo Jiménez was primarily known as a professional actor throughout his career.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he was an actor, his enduring and most significant legacy is as a revolutionary singer-songwriter whose music defined Regional Mexican genres.

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• 1926 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1926
• January 19 (01-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 19
• 1973 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1973
• November 23 (11-23) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 23

Frequently Asked Questions about José Alfredo Jiménez