Vicente Fernandez, Mexico’s “King of Mariachi,” Dies at 81

For most Americans, Vicente Fernandez is not a household name. But Mexico’s adored “King of Mariachi,” who passed away on December 12 2021, has been compared by many to Frank Sinatra and even Elvis Presley. He is that great of a musical icon in his home country.

Fernández, born in 1940 in a small town in the central ranching state of Jalisco, started singing in bars and restaurants at just 19, and eventually made his way to Mexico City where he began to record his music professionally. His first hit in 1969, “Tu Camino y El Mío,” was a nostalgic ballad about unrequited love, a subject this beloved symbol of the Mexican macho man covered again and again, intensely and masterfully, evoking tears from even the toughest of rancheros.

In fact, Fernández was largely considered the last living legend of the Mexican ranchera, the style of song deeply rooted in the values and traditions of rural Mexico. He sang about honor and courtship, cockfights and rodeos, love and heartbreak – all while dressed in the elegantly embroidered costume of the charro, the trademark wide sombrero of Mexico’s chivalrous cowboy, and accompanied by a full mariachi ensemble.

For more than 40 years, Vicente Fernández maintained his standing as Mexico’s greatest living singer, coupling an operatic range with a deep understanding of ranchera music’s native roots.

Fernandez’ enormous discography is comprised of over 100 albums, selling millions and garnering three Grammys. He also starred in dozens of Mexican movies, often playing a role that suited him perfectly – that of the proud charro, or Mexican cowboy. His powerful voice shaped the growth and development of ranchera, a style of music that grew out of the Mexican revolution which highlights the beauty and simplicity of Mexican life. Through the hundreds of songs that feature his voice, Fernández personified Mexican pride and artistry.

The renowned singer had been hospitalized since August, after a fall at his Guadalajara ranch. While in the hospital, he had also been diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s nerves. Following months of steady improvement, his health had taken a turn for the worse in recent days.

For more visit https://vicentefernandez.mx/en/biography/