Valentín Elizalde joined the 27 club on November 25, 2006. The cause of death is recorded as: Murdered
Valentín Elizalde Valencia, affectionately known as "El Gallo de Oro" or "The Golden Rooster," was a regional Mexican singer born on January 2, 1979, in Jitonhueca, a village near Etchojoa, Sonora. His unconventional singing style, characterized by off-key notes, gained him widespread popularity in Mexico. Throughout his career, Elizalde released ten studio albums between 1998 and 2006, with three posthumous albums following his untimely death in 2007 (La Playa, Lobo Domesticado, and Más Allá del Mar).
Elizalde's repertoire was diverse, including various genres such as ranchera, ballads, and corridos. Some of his most popular songs were "Vete Ya," "Ebrio de Amor," "Vete Con Él," "Vuelve Cariñito," "Cómo Me Duele," "Vencedor," "Mi Virgencita," and "Soy Así" (a cover of José José's classic song). Notably, some of his songs eulogized Mexican drug lords like Vicente Carrillo Fuentes.
Tragically, Elizalde was murdered on November 25, 2006, following a concert in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. He was only 27 years old at the time. The circumstances surrounding his death remain controversial, but it is widely believed that he was killed for performing the corrido "A Mis Enemigos," which contained lyrics antagonistic to Los Zetas. Raúl Hernández Barrón, a high-ranking member of Los Zetas and alleged murderer of Elizalde, was arrested in 2008 and charged with drug trafficking, organized crime involvement, and illegal possession of firearms.
Despite his untimely death, Valentín Elizalde's legacy continues to thrive. In 2007, he was posthumously nominated for a Grammy Award. His music remains popular among fans across Mexico and beyond, inspiring new generations of musicians in the banda tradition. The tragic circumstances of his death serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and instability that plague parts of Mexico.
The lives and careers of figures like Valentín Elizalde and Raúl Hernández Barrón intertwine in the complex tapestry of Mexican society, highlighting the intricacies of power dynamics, drug trafficking, music, and cultural identity. Their stories underscore the need for continued dialogue, understanding, and ultimately, peace and stability in Mexico and beyond.