MEXICO CITY — Vicente Fernández, generally known as the “King of Rancheras”, died Sunday at 81 years of age in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, 4 months after being hospitalized and identified with Guillen-Barré syndrome, his household introduced in a press release.
“We remorse to tell you of his dying on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 6:15 am. It was an honor and an ideal delight for him to share his nice musical profession with everybody and to offer every thing for his viewers. Thanks for persevering with to applaud, thanks for persevering with to sing”, the household wrote through Fernández’s social media accounts.
Fernández was hospitalized after he suffered a fall at his ranch Los Tres Potrillos simply exterior of Guadalajara in August, the place the singer lived after he retired from the stage however not from the music scene since he continued recording and producing albums.
He remained within the hospital within the intensive care unit present process remedy and linked to a ventilator till the household shared the information of his passing.
Previous to his surgical procedure in August, Fernández wrote a message on his Instagram account that moved his followers, but in addition brought about concern.
“Do not hand over in your desires. Dedicating my life to singing was the very best determination I may have made,” the singer wrote, ending off with “Chente sigue siendo el rey,” an ode to his tune that nicely established him because the “King of Rancheras.”
Extra: Legendary Mexican singer Vicente Fernández hospitalized after a fall at his ranch
Chente recorded greater than 100 albums, bought over 70 million copies, starred in 34 movies in Mexican cinema and recorded greater than 300 songs. He went on to provide nice hits like “Volver, Volver,” “Por Tu Maldito Amor,” “Hermoso Cariño” and “El Rey,” a tune that very a lot does justice to his moniker as King of Rancheras.
“So long as you do not cease clapping, your Chente does not cease singing,” he would inform his followers whereas he belted out his songs on stage. True to his phrase, he was recognized for having live shows that lasted no less than 4 hours.
He did simply that in 2016 when he mentioned his goodbye to the stage throughout a free farewell live performance in México Metropolis at Azteca Stadium. After that, he retired to his house the place he by no means stopped producing music.
Fernández is survived by his spouse Cuquita Abarca, his 4 youngsters Vicente Jr., Gerardo, Alejandro, and Alejandra (his niece, whom he all the time thought of his daughter), 9 grandchildren (4 youngsters of Vicente Jr. and 5 of Alejandro) and 4 great-grandchildren.
The making of a legend
All through his profession, Chente, as he’s lovingly referred to by his followers, distinguished himself by taking Mexican music all over the world throwing the longest live shows on probably the most famend phases — making a reputation not just for himself but in addition for the favored love ballads and ranchera music that characterize México.
5 years after he introduced his farewell from the stage, his songs proceed to be an inspiration to folks in Latin American nations, México and the U.S., shaping cultures and musical tastes as his rancheras forged tales of sorrow, hope, love and particularly Mexican delight for all to get pleasure from.
Vicente Fernández Gómez was born on February 17, 1940, in Huentitán El Alto, Jalisco, the son of Ramón Fernández and Paula Gómez de Fernández. His first contact with music was in his first years of life, when his dad and mom took him to the cinema to see Pedro Infante movies. He rapidly turned a fan and discovered Infante’s songs.
At age 6 he advised his mom that when he grew up he wished to be similar to Infante, a well-known singer — a dream he would very a lot develop to perform. At age 8 he started guitar classes.
In his biography, produced by Sony Music, he factors out that in 1954 on the age of 14, he received an beginner singing contest in Guadalajara, taking part in at personal events and serenading younger ladies alongside the mariachis of his city. However he mixed these jobs with serving to his father doing fieldwork and was not ready on the time to dedicate himself absolutely to producing music.
The success that he was having would lead him later to dedicate himself utterly to singing and to journey commonly to México Metropolis, to the emblematic Plaza Garibaldi the place in style eating places reminiscent of “El Amanecer Tapatío” opened their doorways to his musical expertise.
In 1963, the identical yr that he misplaced his mom to a battle with most cancers, Chente married his lifelong accomplice María del Refugio “Cuquita” Abarca Villaseñor. They’d go on to have 4 youngsters: Alejandro, Vicente, Alejandra and Gerardo. His property in Guadalajara, Los Tres Potrillos, could be named after his love of horses and his three sons — the three foals.
Two years later, in 1965, Fernández determined to attempt to file with a file firm, though with out a lot success since at the moment robust figures in ranchera music reminiscent of Javier Solís had been on the peak of their profession success. In 1966, earlier than the dying of the nice Solís, the file firms started to name on Fernández, who together with his nice voice was the perfect artist that might assist protect ranchera music.
It could be CBS — now Sony Music — who employed him, recording his first hits: “Tu Camino y El Mío,” “Perdóname” and “Cantina del Barrio”. It could be only the start, Fernández started with nice success on radio and higher gross sales on information. Albums like “Soy de Abajo”, “Ni en Defensa Propia” and “Palabra de Rey” broke gross sales information within the style.
Considered one of Vicente’s best successes is undoubtedly “Volver Volver”, a tune composed by Fernando Z. Maldonado. The tune turned an anthem of ranchera music and in 1976 broke all gross sales information in North and South America, giving Fernández the title of “King of Rancheras.”
Chente obtained numerous honors, particularly as his music made its solution to the U.S.
He went on to win three Grammys. One in 2010 for Finest Regional Mexican Album “Necesito de Ti.” One other in 2015 for a similar class. And eventually, in 2017, the recording of his ultimate efficiency on stage in 2016, titled “Un Azteca en el Azteca (En Vivo),” landed him his final Grammy.
From 1989 to 2014, he was awarded eight Latin Grammys, 14 Premios Lo Nuestro awards and a handful of Billboard awards.
Together with his attribute charro go well with, huge brim hat and impeccable mariachi musicians at his aspect, he’ll endlessly be remembered as one of many best interpreters of mariachi in México and the world.
This text initially appeared on Arizona Republic: Vicente Fernandez: Legendary Mexican singer dies at 81
