Brujeria’s lyricist and leader, Juan Brujo, aka John Lepe, passed away due to a heart attack.
He suffered a heart attack in the early morning of Monday, September 16, 2024, after a day off from the current Mexorcista tour in Saint Clairsville, Ohio.
Highlights
- Juan Brujo, aka John Lepe, left the world at 61 after suffering a heart attack.
- He was the lyricist, leader, and founding member of the band named Brujeria.
- Brujeria was formed in 1989 in Los Angeles along with Dino Cazares, Shane Embury, Billy Gould, Jello Biafra and Raymond Herrera.
Brujo was rushed to the nearest hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia, by emergency service, but despite the medical team’s most outstanding efforts, he left the world at the age of 61.
On September 18, 2024, the news was announced through Brujeria’s official Facebook handle.
It is with deep sadness we have to announce that our leader Juan Brujo has passed away today. Juan suffered a heart attack on early Monday morning, after a day off from the current Mexorcista tour in Saint Clairsville, Ohio. He was rushed to the nearest hospital in Wheeling, West Viriginia by emergency services, but, despite the medical team’s greatest efforts, he died this morning. His family, friends and bandmates are devastated and wish to mourn in private, while they appreciate the fans’ love and support. It is with deep sorrow that we must announce the departure of our leader Juan Brujo today. Juan suffered a heart attack early this Monday morning, after a day off from the current Mexorcista tour in Saint Clairsville, Ohio. He was quickly rushed to the nearest hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia by emergency services, but despite the great efforts of the medical team, he passed away this morning. His family, friends and bandmates are devastated and wish to carry their grief in private, thanking the love and support from fans. The Wizard is dead, long live the Wizard!
The announcement came two days after the band canceled all of its previously announced shows due to a severe medical emergency.
In July 2024, Brujeria lost its vocalist and sampler, Ciriaco “Pinche Peach” Quezada, who died at age 57.
Juan Brujo Was the Founder Of the death grind metal band Brujeria
Juan Brujo, aka John Lepe, was born in 1963 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
He formed Brujeria in 1989 in Los Angeles with Fear Factory’s Dino Cazares (guitar), Napalm Death’s Shane Embury (guitar), Faith No More’s Billy Gould (bass), ex-Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra (vocals), and Fear Factory’s Raymond Herrera.
The band initially appeared masked by bandanas and balaclavas, performed under pseudonyms, and portrayed themselves as wanted d*ug lords.
un beso al infinito para el Juan Brujo que se fue para alcanzar al Pinche Peach
VAYAN SIN MIEDO! π²π½ pic.twitter.com/NHzUEf4Uwb
β ππππ πππππ (@eleseguey) September 18, 2024
Their debut album, Matando Gueros, was released by Roadrunner Records in 1993. The band’s fifth and most recent album, Esto Es Brujeria, was released in 2023 through Nuclear Blast.
During a 2015 interview with The Moshville Times, Brujo said that Brujeria was never meant to be a touring band.
Brujo ranked most of the band’s proper discography in a new feature at Noisey.
All the members of Brujeria have other bands except the lead singer, Juan Brujo. Several of the musicians are Hispanic Americans, but Juan is Mexican.
He used to perform with his face covered by a scarf with the Mexican flag, keeping his identity a secret for decades.
Brujo was an iconic figure, and much of Brujeria’s universe is written by Brujo in the band’s lyrics.
Moreover, he was Brujeria’s longest-serving and most active touring member, performing and recording alongside a rotating lineup of musicians who portrayed Mexican d*ug lords using nicknames to conceal their identities.
RIP Juan Brujo el mΓ‘s satΓ‘nico. Β‘Esto no es un juego cabrones! pic.twitter.com/kY6lAITbYl
β Federico Fahsbender (@fahsbender125) September 18, 2024
Earlier, he produced a DVD compilation of the band called “Permission of Satan,” which is about the recording period of the Asesino album and a video of the first three presentations of the official tour of Brujeria.
However, his contributions and creations will be remembered forever, as many fans have appreciated his music.
Additional Information
- Juan Brujo was married to his wife, Aline Lepe, on January 21, 2022.
- Brujo had an estimated net worth of around $600k, primarily earned from his musical career.
- In 1993, the band caused a controversy when its 1st album, Matanda Gueros, showed a severed head on the cover and was banned in several markets.
