Emilio Navaira dead: Tejano music legend dies from 'massive heart' attack aged 53

Reports said the 53-year-old was found collapsed by his wife

Emilio was known as the 'Garth Brooks of Tejano Music' (Twitter)

Like Madonna and Prince, Emilio Navaira was known to his legion fans by just one name.

Over a career that spanned several decades, he performed both Country and Tejano music. Indeed, Emilio was sometimes called the “Garth Brooks of Tejano”.

On Tuesday, it was reported that the 53-year-old had died after suffering a massive heart attack.

After reaching popularity in the 1990s, Navaira won a Grammy for best Tejano album in 2002.

Among his hits were Tu Robaste Mi Corazon, which he sang with fellow artist Selena, and the English-language It’s Not the End of the World.

Fellow artists and fans paid tribute to the the San Antonio native that many called a legend.

In 2008 he suffered severe brain injuries after crashing his tour bus while driving drunk in Houston.

In recent years he had begun touring again, and was nominated for a Latin Grammy for best Norteño album in 2013.

NBC said that a neighbour who lived across the street from Mr Navaira in San Antonio said he spoke with his wife, shortly after she found him lying unresponsive on the floor in their home.

“He moved across the street from me about a year ago and just recently started working on his health,” said man, who did not wish to be named.

“Every day he rode his bike trying to get back into shape. He was such a nice guy, and neighbour, too.”