Who was Vicente Fernández? Everything You Need To Know

Vicente Fernández holds the esteemed title of being the “Frank Sinatra of ranchera music.” Often hailed as the quintessential vocalist, he is known for his unmatched artistry and distinctive style, unapologetically forging his own path in the music industry.

Vicente Fernández Birth

Vicente Fernández came into the world on February 17, 1940, in Huentitán El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. His parents, Ramón Fernández, a rancher, and Paula Gómez de Fernández, welcomed him into their family. During his formative years, Vicente enjoyed his upbringing on his father’s ranch, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Mexican countryside.

Vicente Fernández Biography

Vicente Fernández Gómez, born on February 17, 1940, and passed away on December 12, 2021, was a prominent Mexican ranchera singer, actor, and film producer. Renowned by various nicknames such as “Chente” (short for Vicente), “El Charro de Huentitán” (The Charro from Huentitán), “El Ídolo de México” (The Idol of Mexico), and “El Rey de la Música Ranchera” (The King of Ranchera Music),

Fernández began his career as a humble busker and eventually became a cultural icon. Throughout his remarkable journey, he recorded over 100 albums and made significant contributions to more than 30 films, focusing on rancheras and other beloved Mexican classics.

Fernández’s remarkable talent and dedication earned him numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, nine Latin Grammy Awards, fourteen Lo Nuestro Awards, and a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. With over 50 million copies sold worldwide, he stands as one of the best-selling regional Mexican artists of all time.

In 2016, Fernández decided to retire from live performances but continued to record and release music, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. In 2023, Rolling Stone recognized him as the greatest Mexican singer of all time and listed him as the 95th greatest singer overall in their esteemed “200 Best Singers of All Time” list.

Vicente Fernández Early Life

Born on February 17, 1940, in the village of Huentitán El Alto, Jalisco, Vicente Fernández came from humble beginnings. His parents, a rancher, and a housewife instilled in him a love for music from a young age. Inspired by movies featuring Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete, Fernández dreamt of following in their footsteps. At the age of 8, he received a guitar, sparking his passion for both playing and studying folk music.

Due to financial difficulties, Fernández’s family relocated to Tijuana after he completed elementary school. As a teenager, he juggled multiple jobs such as bricklaying, painting, and cabinetmaking. He would often sing while working, catching the attention of construction companies who were captivated by his talent. Later, he found employment as a cashier in his uncle’s restaurant.

By the age of 14, Fernández began performing at restaurants and weddings, joining various mariachi groups like Mariachi Amanecer de Pepe Mendoza and Mariachi de José Luis Aguilar. He gained local recognition through his participation in the radio program Amanecer Tapatío in Jalisco.

At 21, Fernández made his first paid appearance on the television show La calandria musical. On December 27, 1963, he married Maria del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor. Their first child, Vicente, was born prematurely, and due to financial constraints, Fernández had to care for the baby at home rather than in a hospital. Tragically, that same year, his mother succumbed to cancer at the age of 47.

In 1965, Fernández relocated to Mexico City in pursuit of a music career. Initially, he faced setbacks as the industry was dominated by the popular singer Javier Solís. However, following Solís’s untimely death in April 1966, opportunities began to emerge for Fernández.

He secured his first album offers and signed a contract with CBS Records of Mexico, recording successful albums like “Soy de Abajo,” “Ni en Defensa Propia,” and “Palabra de rey.” Hits such as “Tu Camino y El Mío” and “Perdóname” solidified his popularity and marked the beginning of his remarkable musical journey.

Rise Of Vicente Fernández Career

1970s and 1980s: “Volver volver” and Fernández’s Rise to Fame

After a decade of waiting, Vicente Fernández’s career began to flourish. With the passing of ranchera icon José Alfredo Jiménez in 1973, Fernández emerged as a prominent figure in the music industry. His album, “La voz que estabas esperando,” and subsequent releases such as “El rey,” “El hijo del pueblo,” and “Para recordar” sold millions of copies, solidifying his status as a revered artist.

In 1976, Fernández’s fame skyrocketed with the release of the song “Volver volver,” written by Fernando Z. Maldonado in 1972. This recording propelled his popularity not only throughout Mexico but also across the American continent, reaching remarkable sales figures. “Volver volver” went on to be covered by over twenty singers, including Chavela Vargas, Ry Cooder, and Nana Mouskouri, further expanding its cultural impact.

During the 1980s, Fernández’s musical style shifted from bolero ranchero to a ranchera genre that focused on migration. Notably, his song “Los Mandados” addressed the experiences of Mexicans migrating to the United States, often incorporating macho and patriotic stereotypes.

These years also marked the establishment of his music production center, “Los 3 Potrillos,” and the release of his milestone album “15 Grandes con el Numero Uno” in 1983, which surpassed one million copies sold, setting a new record. In 1984, Fernández delivered a memorable concert at the Plaza de Toros México, attracting a crowd of 54,000 people.

In 1987, Fernández embarked on his first international tour, visiting Bolivia and Colombia, expanding his reach beyond the United States and Mexico.

1990s: Fernández’s Musical Peak

By the 1990s, Vicente Fernández had achieved legendary status in the music industry. The U.S. press dubbed him the “Mexican Sinatra,” and he released a string of ranchera classics, including “Las clásicas de José Alfredo Jiménez” (1990), “Lástima que seas ajena” (1993), “Aunque me duela el alma” (1995), “Mujeres divinas,” “Acá entre nos,” “Me voy a quitar de en medio” (1998), and “La mentira” (1998), all of which became timeless hits.

In 1998, tragedy struck when his eldest son, Vicente Jr., was kidnapped by a criminal group known as the “Mocha Dedos.” The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 5 million dollars, and after Fernández Sr. paid $3.2 million to secure his son’s release, Vicente Jr. was abandoned near the family ranch 121 days later, having suffered the amputation of two fingers. Remarkably, Fernández Sr. kept the ordeal hidden from the public, continuing to perform concerts alongside his other son, Alejandro, in order to maintain a sense of normalcy. In 2008, the kidnappers were sentenced to 50 years in prison, bringing some closure to the traumatic incident.

The 2000s and Early 2010s

In 2001, Vicente Fernández embarked on the Lazos Invincibles tour, joining forces with his son Alejandro to captivate audiences with their combined talent. In 2006, his album “La tragedia del vaquero”

Vicente Fernández’s Career as an Actor

In 1971, Vicente Fernández made his entry into the world of movies with his appearance in the film “Tacos al carbón.”His breakthrough came in 1976 when he starred in “La ley del monte,” marking his first leading role on the big screen. Over the course of two decades, he dedicated himself to acting and starred in a total of 30 films, with 18 of them being directed by Rafael Villaseñor Kuri. Throughout his acting career, he had the opportunity to share the screen with esteemed national actors such as Blanca Guerra, Sara García, Fernando Soto, Resortes, and Lucía Méndez.

In several of his films, including “Por tu maldito amor,” “La ley del monte,” “El hijo del pueblo,” and “Mi querido viejo,” Fernández incorporated his music, aligning the film’s title with the song he introduced. Often portraying the stereotypical Mexican “macho” and “gallant” man, he captivated audiences with his on-screen presence.

Aside from his acting contributions, Fernández also ventured into film production. He made his debut as a producer in 1974 with the film “El hijo del pueblo.” However, his final film appearance was in “Mi querido viejo” in 1991, after which he chose to focus exclusively on his music career.

Controversy

Fernández ignited a firestorm of controversy with his remarks during a May 2019 interview regarding his health. During the interview, he revealed that he had been hospitalized in Houston, United States, for liver surgery. However, he controversially disclosed his decision to decline a transplant, citing concerns about receiving an organ from a potential homosexual or drug user, as he did not want to share an intimate connection with his wife. These remarks drew widespread criticism and sparked intense debate.

In January 2021, Fernández found himself embroiled in yet another controversy after an incident where he placed his hand on a fan’s breast while posing for a photograph with her family. The incident immediately attracted public attention, and a few days later, Fernández issued an apology to the woman’s family.

He acknowledged his mistake and admitted uncertainty about whether his action was intended as a joke or not, citing the presence of numerous people during the photo session as a possible contributing factor to his lapse in judgment. In his sincere apology, he expressed remorse and extended his regrets for his actions.

Subsequently, in February 2021, Fernández faced allegations of sexual assault from a singer named Lupita Castro. Castro accused Fernández of assaulting her when she was 17 years old, approximately 40 years prior to making her claims. She cited fear of his influence and threats of violence as reasons for her silence over the years, which had deterred her from pursuing legal action against him. Castro chose not to pursue a court case against Fernández, further fueling the controversy surrounding the accusations.

Vicente Fernández’s Death

On 6th August 2021, Fernández suffered a serious fall at his ranch in Guadalajara, resulting in his hospitalization. The fall had caused an injury to his cervical spine, leading to his placement on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. On 13th August, two weeks later, he received a diagnosis of Guillain–Barré syndrome, unrelated to his fall, and commenced treatment.

Confirming this information to the press, his son Vicente clarified that the disease was not a consequence of the accident. Following an improvement in his clinical condition, Fernández was able to leave the intensive care unit on 26th October 2021.

However, on 30th November 2021, he faced another setback in his health and was readmitted to intensive care due to complications arising from pneumonia. By 11th December, his son revealed in an interview that Fernández was sedated due to a deterioration in his condition.

Sadly, Fernández passed away on 12th December 2021 at the age of 81, succumbing to complications resulting from his injuries. The President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, expressed his grief through a tweet, recognizing Fernández as a “symbol of the ranchera song of our time, known and recognized in Mexico and abroad.

” Several world leaders and personalities from the music industry offered their condolences on Twitter, including the President of Colombia, Iván Duque, who lamented the loss and acknowledged Fernández’s enduring legacy. U.S. President Joe Biden described him as an icon of the music world, while former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remembered him as both a musical icon and a good-hearted individual. It is worth noting that Fernández passed away on the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico, whom he held great devotion to.

Following his death, Fernández’s body was transported from the funeral home to the Arena VFG, a venue he had generously donated to Guadalajara. Thousands of fans, along with his family, had gathered there to pay their respects. Accompanied by his Mariachi Azteca, renditions of his popular songs, such as “El Rey” and “Acá Entre Nos,” filled the air as his coffin was placed in the center of the stage. Adorned with a large crucifix and an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, surrounded by a sea of white flowers, his favorite sombrero rested on the coffin.

The following day, a Catholic funeral ceremony took place at the same arena. Interspersed with performances of his most renowned rancheras, the ceremony concluded with a live rendition of “Volver Volver,” as per Fernández’s wishes. Subsequently, his body was laid to rest in a mausoleum at his ranch.

Vicente Fernández Marriage Life

On 27th December 1963, Fernández entered into matrimony with María del Refugio Abarca, affectionately known as “Cuquita.” Cuquita happened to be the sister of one of Fernández’s close friends, and they initially met in his hometown. The couple was blessed with three children named Vicente Jr., Gerardo, and Alejandro.

Additionally, they adopted their niece Alejandra, who became an integral part of their family. Over the years, their children gave them the joy of 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Despite various accusations of infidelity leveled against him throughout his life, Fernández consistently denied them.

Fernández shared a musical bond with his sons Alejandro and Vicente Jr., both talented singers. On several occasions, he joined them on stage, delighting audiences with their collective performances.

The last time he graced the stage was in 2019, singing alongside his son Alejandro and actively supporting the musical endeavors of his grandson, Alex, thus showcasing his enduring passion for music and commitment to fostering talent within his family.