The profound legacy of the iconic Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel was recently honored with an unprecedented and massive celebration. On Saturday, November 8, an estimated 170,000 people converged at Mexico City’s Zócalo, according to figures provided by the capital’s government, to partake in a grand event. Fans gathered to witness the screening of the legendary “Divo de Juárez’s” debut concert at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, originally performed in 1990.

This particular screening marked the second instance that one of the three historic concerts Juan Gabriel held at Bellas Artes during his career was showcased in Mexico’s main public square. A previous similar event, held in September 2024, which featured a projection of his 2013 performance at the same premier cultural venue, attracted an impressive 70,000 fans. The recent Saturday screening, however, shattered records, setting a new global attendance benchmark for an in-person fan event orchestrated by Netflix. The streaming platform collaborated with the capital’s Secretariat of Culture to host this monumental gathering in the very public space where, a quarter-century prior, the revered artist had delighted thousands with a free concert.

The screening of Juan Gabriel’s seminal performance at Bellas Artes served as a key promotional activity for Netflix’s latest docuseries, Juan Gabriel: I Must, I Can, I Will (Juan Gabriel: Debo, Puedo y Quiero), which premiered on October 30. The atmosphere during the event was electric, at times mirroring an actual live concert due to the overwhelming enthusiasm of the audience. It became a powerful journey back in time, allowing attendees to revisit the historic 1990 performance, which, 35 years ago, had stirred considerable controversy due to his aspiration as a popular artist to perform at Mexico’s most prestigious cultural institution.

From the early hours of the day, the Zócalo, also known as Plaza de la Constitución, was filled with fans of all ages and from every corner of Mexico. Juan Gabriel impersonators and special guests joined the throng, adorned with posters, T-shirts, and elaborate outfits inspired by the legend. Among the notable attendees were the artist’s son, Iván Aguilera, who was present to celebrate his father’s enduring legacy, as well as the docuseries director María José Cuevas and producers Laura Woldenberg and Ivonne Gutiérrez, all of whom shared in the collective singing and dancing.

Personal stories underscored the depth of devotion, such as that of José Luis Flores, a man in his 40s from the neighboring State of Mexico, who proudly displayed a tattoo of the late singer on his chest. He recounted to Billboard Español, “I waited for him for more than four hours after a concert — this is my greatest treasure.” As classic hits from Juanga’s extensive discography, including “Hasta Que Te Conocí,” “Querida,” “Amor Eterno,” and “Por Qué Me Haces Llorar,” filled the air, they moved many in the audience to tears, fostering an intimate and deeply nostalgic ambiance.

Following the screening, the celebration continued with the Mariachi Estrella de América taking to the stage to perform a captivating setlist of Juan Gabriel’s beloved hits. The evening culminated in a dazzling fireworks display that illuminated every corner of the square, a fitting tribute to honor the rich life, unparalleled talent, and timeless music of the iconic Mexican singer-songwriter.

Juan Gabriel passed away on August 28, 2016, at his home in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 66, due to natural causes, tragically in the midst of a concert tour. Over more than four decades, he meticulously built a multifaceted artistic legacy. Inducted into the Billboard Hall of Fame in 1996, he recorded songs spanning diverse genres such as ranchera, ballad, pop, and bolero, and also notably produced music for other artists. His extensive list of achievements includes selling over 150 million records, authoring more than 1,800 songs, releasing 34 studio albums, garnering six Grammy Award nominations, and posthumously winning three Latin Grammys. More than 20 of his hits soared into the top 10 on the Billboard charts, with an impressive seven reaching the coveted No. 1 spot on Hot Latin Songs. His groundbreaking hit “Yo No Sé Qué Me Pasó” famously inaugurated the first edition of that chart in 1986, debuting at No. 1.