Tejano legend Johnny Canales, whose variety show helped launch Selena’s career, dies at 77

Erin Booke | (TNS) The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS — Johnny Canales, the legendary Tejano star and television host, has died near Corpus Christi, his family confirmed on Facebook Thursday morning. He was 77.

“With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Johnny Canales,” the post said. “He was more than just a beloved husband, father, TV host, musician, and entertainer; he was a beacon of hope and joy for countless people. His infectious charisma and dedication to promoting Latino music and culture left a large mark on the world.”

Canales, who was born in Mexico and raised in South Texas, is known for launching the careers of Tejano stars with “The Johnny Canales Show,” which debuted in 1983. The show aired for almost two decades and featured one of the first live performances by Selena Quintanilla Perez on her 13th birthday. The star returned to the show many times during her career.

News spread in May that Canales was very ill and had “been dealing with health complications since 2008 after a stroke,” according to the San Antonio Express-News. Canales and his family posted a video of Canales on May 20.

“Hello, everybody. Thank you for all your prayers,” Canales said in the video. “We’re doing real great and real good and we’re going to do better with your prayers. So, stick around. We’ll be here. We’ll be around.”