Ella Laboriel, a pioneering voice of Mexican rock, dies at 77

Ella Laboriel, a trailblazing figure in Mexican rock and roll and a respected actress, died on July 8, 2026. Born Esperanza Laboriel López in Mexico City on March 28, 1949, she hailed from a prominent entertainment family. Her father was composer Juan José Laboriel and her mother was actress Francisca López de Laboriel. She was the sister of legendary rock singer Johnny Laboriel and internationally acclaimed bassist Abraham "Abe" Laboriel.

Inspired by jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald, she adopted the stage name Ella or Ela Laboriel. Her artistic journey began in the 1950s with appearances on radio programs like "El Tío Polito" and "Los niños catedráticos." In the 1960s, she became a key figure in Mexican rock music as a member of the vocal trio Las Yolis, breaking ground for women in the genre. Her musical versatility extended to jazz and blues.

Beyond her music career, Laboriel played a significant role in organizing the iconic 1971 Avándaro Rock and Roll Festival, managing press relations for the event. As an actress, she appeared in films such as "Blue Demon destructor de espías" (1968) and television dramas including "El extraño retorno de Diana Salazar" (1988) and "En carne propia" (1990). The National Association of Interpreters (ANDI) announced her passing.