Mexican singer Juan Gabriel hospitalized

Mexican musical icon Juan Gabriel has been hospitalized in Las Vegas with pneumonia, postponing three California shows this week that were part of the top-selling artist's "Volver" tour.

The 64-year-old singer was rushed to intensive care Monday morning after waking up with a fever and congestion, according to a statement issued Tuesday by tour company publicity firm D. Baron Media Relations. Gabriel had performed an extended, three-hour concert the night before at the Mandalay Bay resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

Officials at the publicity firm said Gabriel's condition was improving Tuesday and he was expected to be released from the hospital in a few days.

Shows scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Los Angeles were called off, along with a Saturday concert in San Jose, Calif. New dates for the shows were expected to be announced later in the week by tour producers CMN Events, according to the statement. It says the singer will return to the stage May 1 in Los Angeles.

Gabriel is known as "El Divo de Juarez" and is one of the best-selling Latin recording artists of all time, with more than 100 million albums sold in a career spanning decades. He was named Person of the Year in 2009 by the Latin Recording Academy, which produces the Latin Grammys.

Gabriel's "Volver" tour began earlier this month and includes stops in Houston, New York City and Miami. The show features the singer's mariachi band and a full orchestra on a 360-degree stage.