Vicente Fernández.Photo: John Medina/WireImage
Vicente Fernández, the Grammy-winning Mariachi legend dubbed “El Ídolo de México” (The Idol of Mexico), may have died on Sunday, but his legacy will live on.
Fernández — who died at age 81 four months after he fell and was placed on a ventilator in the ICU — had a massive following worldwide, and was often referred to as the “Mexican Sinatra.”
From singing to acting to winning countless awards, here are 10 of the singer’s career highlights that will leave a lasting impact on his fans, and made him the icon he is today:
He can act! Fernández starred inTacos al Carbón— 1971
Tacos al Carbón Movie Poster.
Much of Fernández’s music became the starring role in more than 30 movies he filmed over two decades in the ’70s and ’80s.
Fernández debuted on the big screen in 1971’sTacos al Carbón. In the film, he played the role of Constancio Rojas Rodríguez, aka el Champi.
The movieis about a man who sells tacos on the street, until his luck changes when he wins the latest model car in a raffle.
He starred in 30 films total over the span of 20 years. Other works includedLa Ley del Monte,El Macho,Por Tu Maldito AmorandMi Querido Viejo.
He earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — 1998
Vicente Fernández and son Alejandro.Frazer Harrison/Getty
On Nov. 11, 1998, the “Mujeres Divinas” singers' star was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That same year, he was inducted into Billboard’s Latin Music Hall of Fame.
The day of the unveiling happened to fall on his son Vicente Fernández’s birthday, and during his speech, he honored him.
“Today, my eldest son Vicente turns 34, and I wanted to give a toast to my sons, especially to Vicente,“he said at the time.
He continued, “This star is not of an artist, this star is for Mexico, for you all.”
He performed at the Republican National Convention — 2000
In August 2000 at the RNC (Republican National Convention) and the night George W. Bush was nominated for president, Fernández was invited to perform anddid not disappoint.
The icon opted to sing his single “Cielito Lindo” in front of the roaring crowd.
At the end of his performance he thanked the crowd, and sang in “Frank Sinatra’s words,” “I want to live until the end, my way” in Spanish.
He’s Latin Grammys' Person of the Year — 2002
On his 35th anniversary in the music industry, the Latin Recording Academy recognized Fernández as Person of the Year.
By that point, he had sold more than 50 million records and was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.
“This is not mine, it’s for Mexico, Central, South America and those who speak Spanish. Thank you,“he said at the time.
He won his first Grammy Award — 2010
Fernández was awarded his first Grammy Award for best regional Mexican album for his recordNecesito de Tí— which he also earned a Latin Grammy for.
His first-ever Grammy award, however, dates back to the third LatinGrammy Awardsin 2002 where he won for best ranchero album forMás Con El Número Uno.
In total, he earned threeGrammy Awardsand nine LatinGrammy Awards.
Two Legends Meet — 2012
In 2012, Tony Bennett and Fernández came together to record “Return to Me,” in which Fernández sang in Spanish. The song was featured on Bennett’s albumViva Duets.
They later performed the song together at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
“Saddened to hear of the passing of legendary singer Vicente Fernández. Recording “Regresa a Mí” at his beautiful home in Mexico and meeting his family was unforgettable and he will be missed,” Bennett, 95,wrote on Twitter.
Chicago gave him the keys to the city — 2012
At the time, the legend was honored with a special street dedication event in Little Village. As a part of the honor, the city also unveiled new street signs, which designated the part of 26th Street between 2800 West and 3199 West as “Vicente Fernandez Avenue.”
He was then given a key to the city and a Proclamation which marked the week of October 20-27 as “Vicente Fernández Week” in Chicago.
At the ceremony, in which Fernández performed, there were problems with the audio equipment due to the rain, and the icon opted to sing acapella instead.
He ReleasedLos 2 Vicentes— 2012
Fernández had four children in total, including Alejandro, 50, and Gerardo, 44, as well. Alejandro is also successful a singer himself and nicknamed “El Potrillo.” The father-son duo recorded a duet in 2020 titled “Mentí,” which was featured on his albumHecho En México.
He wrote a corrido for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign — 2016
In September 2016, around the time of presidential elections, Fernández expressed his support for then-candidate Hillary Clinton with a song titled, “El Corrido de Hillary Clinton.”
The video of the track featured the singer in a charro suit and urged people to vote in Spanish during a montage of campaign photos and videos of Clinton. The song was set to the tune of his popular song “Los Mándalos” — which details the life of undocumented Mexican immigrants who have been deported but refuse to give up.
In April of that same year, at the end of his farewell concert he said he would “spit on” Donald Trump, the Republican Party primary candidate for his anti-immigration speech.
Medios y Media/Getty
Fernandez hosted a special concert on April 16 at the Estadio Azteca. The performance was titled “Un Azteca en el Azteca.”
He performed in front of more than 80,000 people. Entrance to the concert was free. The concert lasted more than four hours and the singer performed more than 40 songs — and his only special guest was his son Alejandro.
The concert was later included on an album titled Un Aztecaen el Aztecaand he won the Grammy Award for best regional Mexican music album in 2017.
The concert concluded his career of more than 50 years and served as a thank you to his fans for their support.
source: people.com
