Emilio Navaira Dead At 53: Watch Tejano Singer Talk Friendship With Selena In This Rare Video

The music world is mourning the unexpected death of Tejano superstar Emilio Navaira, who passed away from a heart attack Monday night at the age of 53. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by his publicist Norma Duran, who wrote the following message on Facebook: "I regretfully inform you that the rumor has been confirmed. The Texas musical family is mourning. Rest in peace Emilio Navaira. My deepest condolences to all his family and fans."

Navaira, who was often compared to Garth Brooks and released hit songs such as "Por Siempre Unidos" and "It's Not The End Of The World," was also a good friend of the late Selena Quintanilla and the Quintanilla family. The two Tejano sensations even recorded a single together called "Tu Robaste Mi Corazon," featured on Selena's Grammy-winning album "Selena Live!"

Both A.B. and Suzette Quintanilla expressed their sympathy on Facebook. "Rest in paradise my friend Emilio Navaira. I was just with him and Raulito 5 de Mayo weekend laughing about old times. My heart goes out to all his familia. Gonna miss you brother," wrote A.B.

Latin Times also sends condolences to the Navaira family during these tough times and remembers the iconic singer with the time he spoke highly of his friendship with Selena.

"She was like a sister to me," expressed the singer in a rare interview honoring the Queen of Tejano on her 20th death anniversary. "We sang together and recorded a song together, not everyone can say that, but I can," he added. "When we would perform together she would tell me that I looked bad, I remember all of that," he shared the silly anecdote.

"I miss her just like everyone else, it was something very hard for all of us. The good thing is that I continue to sing for her," he said, recalling how unique the "Amor Prohibido" singer was as a person and an artist. "How she would sing and talk to the people, she was something else."

In the rare video clip, Navaira also remembered the time he was with Selena when her first music video ever premiered on television. "I remember that I was with her when her first video clip came out, we were at a rodeo in Houston when we watched her music video," he said. "She was like my sister. I think of her when when I listen to her music and I think of her when I sing. She taught me a lot."