José Alfredo Jiménez Sandoval (1926–1973) was a legendary Mexican singer-songwriter hailed as the king of modern Regional Mexican music and Rancheras. Born in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, he began his career singing a cappella despite not playing an instrument, captivating audiences with heartfelt classics like "El Rey", "Ella", and "Si Nos Dejan".
Over his career from 1946 to 1973, Jiménez composed more than 1,000 songs that have become timeless anthems of love, heartbreak, and Mexican pride. Known affectionately as "El Rey", his music continues to influence generations, celebrated in tribute albums and honored in his hometown with a uniquely styled mausoleum shaped like a traditional Mexican shawl and sombrero.