Born on February 17, 1940, in Huentitan El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico; son of Ramon Fernandez (a rancher) and Paula Gomez de Fernandez (a homemaker); married Maria "Cuca" de Refugio Abarca Villasenor, 1963; four children. Addresses: Record company--Sony Discos Inc., 2190 NW 89th Pl., Miami, FL 33172. E-mail--vicente@vincentefernandez.com. Website--Vicente Fernandez Official Website: http://www.vicentefernandez.com.
Known as el idolo de Mexico and el rey throughout the Latin world, Vicente Fernandez, who started his career singing for tips on the street, has become a Mexican cultural icon, recording more than 50 albums and contributing to 40 movies. Although less well known to English-speaking audiences, he has consistently filled stadiums and venues throughout his 35-plus years of performing. His repertoire is pure ranchera, a style described by Daniel Chang of the Miami Herald as representing "the Mexico of old--a way of life romanticized by rural ranches, revolution, and philandering caballeros."
Born on February 17, 1940, in Huentitan el Alto, Jalisco, Mexico, Fernandez spent the early years of his life on his father Ramon's ranch on the outskirts of Guadalajara. Here the idyllic ranchera lifestyle was instilled in him. His mother often took him to see the films of Pedro Infante, the king of Mexican bolero. Fernandez told Leila Cobo of Billboard the significance of these films: "When I was 6 or 7, I would go see Pedro Infante's movies, and I would tell my mother, 'When I grow up, I'll be like them.'" By age eight he had taken up the guitar and was practicing his singing in the style of the ranchera singers he heard on the radio.
In 1954 Fernandez won an amateur contest sponsored by a Guadalajara television station. It was his first break into performing and he began to play at local at clubs and gatherings. Around this time, however, Fernandez's father lost the ranch and the family moved into the city of Tijuana. Fernandez, who had dropped out of school in the fifth grade, began working odd jobs in the city such as janitor, dishwasher, waiter--whatever he could find. All the while, he still held to his musical aspirations.
In 1960 Fernandez devoted himself to music full time. He went back to Guadalajara, where he performed in the streets for tips while also appearing occasionally on the television show La calandria musical. After a couple of years Fernandez tried his luck in Mexico City, where he found a job singing in a restaurant called El Amanacer Tapatio. When he wasn't working he was auditioning for recording companies--and constantly being turned down.
The time Fernandez spent in Mexico City was discouraging. By 1963 he left to marry a former neighbor, Maria "Cuca" de Refugio Abarca Villasenor. They now have four children, the oldest of which, Vicente, Jr., was born three months premature in 1963; Fernandez's mother died within a week of Vicente, Jr.'s, birth.
In 1966 tragedy created an opportunity for Fernandez. In the spring of that year, Javier Solis, Mexico's most popular traditional singer, died. To fill the gap the record companies called on Fernandez. CBS Mexico, now Sony Discos, which had originally spurned Fernandez, now offered him a recording contract. He released his first recording, "Perdoname," with the company in 1966; Fernandez still records for Sony Discos.
Fernandez's career took off at that point and has been nonstop ever since. He branched into acting with the film Uno y medio contra el mundo, released in 1971. His first hit movie, for which he did the soundtrack, was La ley del monte, released in 1974. In the span of 20 years Fernandez has acted, sung, and worked behind the scenes on more than 40 films. He stopped acting in 1991, feeling that he was too old to maintain the proper image for his movies.
Fernandez works hard for his audiences and his performances are legendary. His adoring fans consistently pack the house, whatever the venue, from city squares to large arenas in the United States. He promises each audience that he'll sing until they are tired, making his concerts last from two and a half to four hours. Maintaining the ranchera tradition, Fernandez always performs wearing the charro, an embroidered suit and sombrero. He explained to Matt Weitz of the Dallas Morning News, "[T]o me it's [the charro] Mexico's second flag. When I put it on, I become an ambassador."
His pride in tradition and dedication to his fans has led to him to perform when many other artists would have canceled. His father died in 1970, just as Fernandez was about to go onstage. Overwhelmed by the tragic news but determined not to let the crowd go without a show, Fernandez went onstage and performed. In 1998 Fernandez continued to tour despite the kidnaping of his oldest son. (He was released four months later when ransom was paid.)
Fernandez has recorded more than 50 albums in 35 years and claims to have 300 more songs recorded--making another 30 albums possible even if he retires. When he records an album he spends 12-13 hours in the studio recording up to 18 songs. He takes a day off and then returns for another marathon session, recording another 15 or more songs. From those recordings, he and his producer choose 12. Fernandez's greatest hit was "Volver, volver," released in 1976; his first million-selling album was 1983's 15 Grandes con el numero uno. In 1987 he launched his first tour outside the United States and Mexico when he traveled to Bolivia and Columbia.
By the end of the 1980s Fernandez had been famous for more than 20 years, yet he had never earned a major award and was beginning to think he would have to die before he was recognized. His patience was rewarded in 1990 when he released the album Vicente Fernandez y las clasicas de Jose Alfredo Jimenez, a tribute to Mexico's most famous songwriter, Jose Alfredo Jimenez. The album earned him Billboard and Univision's Latin Music Award for Mexican Regional Male Artist of the Year, which he won five times from 1989 to 1993. Other awards and recognition followed, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2002 Fernandez was recognized by the Latin Recording Academy as Person of the Year. The same year he celebrated his thirty-fifth anniversary in the entertainment industry, a career in which he has sold more than 43 million records. He has 51 albums listed on the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) registry for gold, platinum, and multiplatinum selling records. With 35 years of experience under his belt, Fernandez has helped maintain a Mexican tradition that may very well pass away when he does. For someone who was told he'd be better off selling peanuts than singing professionally, Fernandez has made a tremendous impact on the music of his homeland.
by Eve M. B. Hermann
Vicente Fernandez's Career
Began playing guitar by age eight; won amateur contest in Guadalajara, 1954; performed on La calandria musical television show, 1960; moved to Mexico City, joined Mariachi Amanecer, sang in restaurants for tips, 1964; signed with CBS Mexico (now Sony Discos), recorded first single, "Perdoname," 1966; appeared in Uno y medio contra el mundo, first Mexican film, 1971; first hit movie, La ley del monte, 1974; song "Volver, volver" made him a legend, 1976; assistant director for the film El tahur, 1979; toured Bolivia and Columbia, 1987; performed with Mariachi Chapala, 1997-; performed "Cielito lindo" at Republican National Convention, 2000; toured with son Alejandro Fernandez, 2001.
Vicente Fernandez's Awards
Key to the city of San Antonio, TX, 1982; Billboard/Univision Latin Music Awards, Mexican Regional Male Artist of the Year, 1989-93; Los Angeles City Hall passed a resolution in appreciation for his music and work for Latin communities worldwide, 1997; induction, Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame, awarded star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 1998; Latin Grammy Award, Best Regional Mexican Song for "Borracho te recuerdo," 2001; Billboard Music Award, Greatest Hits Album of the Year for Historia de un idolo, Vol. 1, Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Latin Grammy for Best Ranchero Album for Mas con el numero uno, and Legend Award, 2002.
Famous Works
- Selected discography
- La voz que usted esperaba , Sony Discos, 1968.
- Vicente Fernandez , Sony Discos, 1969
- Ni en defensa propia , Sony Discos, 1970.
- Soy DE ABAJO , Sony Discos, 1970.
- Camino inseguro , Sony Discos, 1971.
- Es muy tu vida , Sony Discos, 1971.
- El Jalisciense , Sony Discos, 1972.
- Si no te quisiera , Sony Discos, 1972.
- 15 grandes con el numero uno , Sony Discos, 1973.
- El idolo de mexico , Sony Discos, 1974.
- El rey ,Sony Discos, 1974.
- El hijo del pueblo , Sony Discos, 1975.
- La ley del monte , Sony Discos, 1975.
- Pos los palenques , Sony Discos, 1977.
- El tahur , Sony Discos, 1979.
- Alejandro y los valses clasicos , Sony Discos, 1981.
- El numero uno , Sony Discos, 1981.
- 15 nuevos exitos con el idolo , Sony Discos, 1984.
- Vicente Fernandez y las clasicas de Jose Alfredo Jimenez , Sony Discos, 1990.
- El charro Mexicano , Sony Discos, 1991.
- Recordando a los panchos , Sony Discos, 1993.
- Vicente y sus canciones , Sony Discos, 1996.
- Entre el amor y yo ,Sony Discos, 1998.
- Historia de un idolo, Vol. 1 , Sony Discos, 2000.
- Mas con el numero uno , Sony Discos, 2001.
- Historia de un idolo, Vol. 2 , Sony Discos, 2002.
Recent Updates
September 3, 2003: Fernandez won a Latin Grammy Award for best ranchero album for 35 Aniversario--Lo Mejor De Lara. Source: "4th Annual Latin Grammy Awards," latingrammy.aol.com/awards/winners.html, September 4, 2003.
April 27, 2006: Fernandez won the Billboard Latin music award for male solo regional Mexican album of the year for Mis Duetos. Source: Billboard.com, www.billboard.com/bbcom/awards/index.jsp, April 30, 2006.
Further Reading
Sources
- Billboard, April 11, 1998; August 31, 2002.
- Chicago Sun-Times,November 3, 1997, p. 34.
- Dallas Morning News, October 7, 1994, p. 30; October 10, 1994, p. 19A.
- Houston Chronicle, September 26, 1993, p. 15; March 29, 1998, p. 7.
- Los Angeles Times, November 5, 1992, p. 1; November 21, 1997, p. B4; May 22, 1999, p. A1; August 15, 2000, p. F3;
- Miami Herald, October 31, 2001, p. 20A.
- Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL), September 19, 2002, p. 19A.
- "Latin Music Legends: Vicente Fernandez," Association of Hispanic Arts, http://www.latinoarts.org/bookstore/vfernandez.htm (February 2, 2003).
- "Vicente Fernandez, El Idolo de Mexico, Pulse!, http://pulse.towerrecords.com/contentStory.asp?contentId=2565 (February 2, 2003).
Visitor Comments Add a comment…
about 1 month ago
Went to visit my youngest son in San Antonio the weekend of Oct.3,2009. My oldest son flew in from Jackson, Mississippi. We went to the Vicente Fernandez Concert @ AT&T Colisium. It was the most exiting concert we hand gone to. My sons are both into Rock music, but have always liked mariache music. When they heard that Vicente was playing there we purchased tickets @ one of San Antonio HEB's. We tried to select the best seats that were left over. We sat at the top left corner of the colisium. We noticed 3 TV screens by the stage and figured when the concert started other TV Screens would drop from the ceiling to accomidate the spectators that were less fortunate to get good seats. Nothing happened when the concert started. The only TV screens were by the stage, one on the left, middle, & right. I emailed AT&T Colisium to comment, and the response from them was that Vicente Fernandez roadies would set up all the equipment and that you all would not set up screens higher up because of people trying to vidio the concert. I don't understand, because the persons at the door were checking inside the ladies purses & under the men's hats for recording equipment. Thank you, I just had to send you this email. Hope that in the future you could accomidate the Fans less fortunate that could not get good seats or Fans that could not afford paying more to get a closer look of their Idol. Thank you for reading my comments. A Vicente Fernandez Fan.... Paul Anzaldua paul_anzaldua@yahoo.com
about 1 month ago
Hola Don Vicente tengo muy bonitos recuerdos de usted y mis abuelos porque siempre que se presentaba en Los Angeles California mi abuelo siempre se iba a formar en linea para conseguir su boletos en el Teatro Million Dollar ese era un show de primera estoy hablando del ano 1978 yo y mis primos teniamos 15 anos de edad hace tres anos mi esposo y yo lo fuimos a ver en el Gibson yo tenia lagrimas en mis ojos cuando lo escuche cantar, ahora mis abuelitos ya murieron pero senti como que estuvieron alli conmigo esa noche cuidese mucho y este ano vamos a ir a verlo otra vez......:)
2 months ago
Vicente Fernandez is the best ever when i meet him i want a signature then im gonna frame it
5 months ago
Anyone know how I can contact Vicente to get an autographed picture as a dyeing jesture for my son in laws best friend?
5 months ago
Chente usted es mi idolo desde muy chica yo e sentido que lo amo a usted y a su musica, hoy a los treinta anos que tengo me identifico con muchas de sus cansiones.Aqui y en donde quiera el senor Vicente Fernandez es el mejor.
5 months ago
Chente tu eres el chingon mas chingon!!!!
6 months ago
Chente is a legend and all I want is to have his entire collection of albums that he has made. I'm waiting for the day I see him in concert with my parents because my dad has been listening to his music since he began his journey.
6 months ago
Hola.. OMG!! No lo puedo creer.. dios mio.. Vicente TE AMO!!! Y espero algun dia poder conocerlo y mirarlo cantar en vivo!! Por que es el mejor cantande de musica RANCHERA en todo el mundo.. Y espero Que nunka se muera.. TE AMO!! Y MUCHISISISISMA SUERTE EN SU VIDA!!! MMUUAAHH,.. BESOS!!!1
7 months ago
hola yo pienso que cuando se muera Vicente se muera que nunca se pueda olvidar.
7 months ago
Hola. soy antonio. desde que tenia como 6 meses te astava hollendo tu musica. tengo 12 anos. todavia me gusta tu musica. aurita estoy en ballet forkloricko. y bailo uno de tus canceones. el toro biejo. pues gracis por estar vivo. y cuida te
7 months ago
Hola Don Vicente Fernandez he enviado un mensaje a su correo electronico deseando de corazon sea leido por usted, ya que mi hijo de 5 anos es su fan # 1 y su mayor anehelo es contar con usted, lo admira tanto que ha llegado a decirme que el ya no quiere ser mi hijo sino de Vicente Fernandez porque quiere ser como usted. De corazon sus grandes admiradores: Rosina y Tristan Ramirez.
9 months ago
DON VICENTE, SOLO LE PUEDO DECIR QUE ES UN ANGEL CON LA MEJOR VOZ QUE TIENE MEXICO EN ESTE MOMENTO Y LE DESEO MUCHA SALUD PARA TENER VICENTE PARA MUCHOS ANOS, POR SUPUESTO EN COMPANIA DE SU ESPOSA, HIJOS, NIETOS Y SERES QUERIDOS. ME ENCANTARIA CONOCERLO EN PERSONA, YA QUE SOLO HE TENIDO EL GUSTO DE ESCUCHARLO EN LA RADIO Y EN LOS DISCOS QUE TENGO DE USTED. DIOS ME LO BENDIGA.
9 months ago
Don Vicente has the love and respect of his fans worldwide, Norteamericanos y Hispanicos, for his music, his voice, his talent and his art. He does not need more. That is his legacy, and it is as good as it gets.
9 months ago
Don Vicente Fernandez primero quiero darle las gracias por que a mi sempre me e gustado sus musica. especialmente su espresiones cuando mi hija tenia 5 anos le decia aver mija como canta vicente fernandez y asia sus cara como usted. Y yo sempre e soniado cantar como usted.tambien me enconvertido en un charro.Tengo mas de 20 anos Y tengo primero Y segundo lugeres.por si no se nota soy nacido en los estados unidos. Tambien yo conoci sus compadre paz descanse felipe arriaga asta cante con el y consupermiso use su voz. cantamos el adios de un soldado. mi suenio es que mi esposa Y tres hijos los conoscan en persona. Vivimos en Soledad California. Una pregunta sus hijos como se llaman. uno es Vicente ,Gerardo,Alejandro y nomas, pero dicen que son quatro. Yo tengo sangre Jalisense por lado de mis abuelos. Via Hidalgo jalisco.Usted es mi idolo. Por favor si me puede contestar gracias. Sinserament sus Amigo Tito VIllalpando Jr.
9 months ago
Estimado Don Vicente, me gustaria primeramente felicitarlo porque como usted no hay otro. Yo tuve el placer de conocerlo hace muchos anos cuando you era nina. Guardo con mucho carino los recuerdos de estar en su rancho con su familia. Mi padre siempre ha guardado los mas bonitos recuerdos de cuando ustedes dos cantaban juntos hace muchos anos en los clubs nocturnos en los angeles. Espero algun dia verlo de nuevo. Le deseo lo mejor y que este bien.
11 months ago
Don Vicente, como usted no hay otro cantante. me gusta mucho como canta usted.mi mama dice que su hijo alexandro canta bien pero ami me gusta mas como canta usted.usted es el mejor cantante de mexico. bueno, usted y juan gabriel.pero usted canta mejor.
11 months ago
siempre me han gustado mucho tus peliculas y tu musica sigue adelante chente que dios te bendiga siempre
11 months ago
Chente Gracias por ensenarnos a ser humildes aunque dios te levante muy alto
11 months ago
Hola mi chente una de mis umildes ilusiones es poder llegar a conocerte en persona y decirte lo mucho que te aprecio y respeto nos comeriamos una buena birria con un buen tequila y que conste yo te invitaria, mi chente que diosito te cuide mucho y por ahi te mande u con na carta con fotos de mis hijos,mi esposa y de tu humilde servidor, las mande de aqui nueva york el 15 de noviembre 2008 espero que diosito y la virgencita la hayan llegado ati. recibe BENDICIONES de este humilde servidor victor hugo cisneros vazquez
about 1 year ago
don vicente que dios lo vendiga primero que nada deseo tanto que venga a minneapolis minnesota por que la ves pasada que vino no pude ir y deseo tanto ir a un consierto suyo por que usted es una leyenda viviente y tiene una vos ermosa de angel lo quiero mucho y lo respeto besos.
about 1 year ago
don vicente.con mucho respeto le pregunto lo siguiente. Por cual razon no se va a presentar enlas vegas nevada este verano?. lo esperabamos con muchas ansias. que siga su exito
about 1 year ago
May God Bless You!!! I Hope you live forever!!! I hope I die before you so I wont feel the sorrow you leave behind! Always in mi CORRAZON.. TE AMO
about 1 year ago
estimado y admirado. Don Vicente Fernandez. Me atrevo a escribirle con todo el respeto que me merece. Mi nombre es Yuliana y tengo un esposo maravilloso que hace un par de anos descubrio lo mucho que le gusta cantar y la voz tan potente que tiene. Lo descubrio gracias a usted y a la gran admiracion que le tiene a su voz y talento. Se que el suena con cantar frente a un publico y que la gente vea de lo que es capaz, pero proviene de una familia conservadora y fue educado para pensar que ese tipo de suenos no son para un hombre responsable y que es un sueno riesgoso y que debe mantener los pies en la tierra. Cuando lo escucho cantar me siento tristede que una vozcomo la que Dios le dio no escuche mas que yo. Se que usted tiene muchas cosas que hacer y una vida llena de compromisos, por lo que sere directa y me voy a atrever a pedir que si podria permitirle que cante con usted en el concierto al que asistiremos el dia 9 de noviembre de 2008 en el Gibsonn Amphitheatre en Universal Studios California. Se que es un sueno muy grande e imposible el que mi esposo sea cantante, pero estoy segura que una cancion al lado del mayor ihnterprete de la musica ranchera hara su sueno realidad. El nombre de mi esposo es David Gutierrez y tiene 28 anos y espero en Dios haber tocado su corazon y me ayude a realizar el sueno de un hombre que es un padre maravilloso y el marido perfecto para mi. Gracias de antemano. Que Dios lo vendiga y lo siga conservando para disfrutar de su talento y persona por mucho tiempo mas. Atte. Yuliana Gutierrez. ADMIRADORA.
about 1 year ago
te adoro te adoro te adoro ni tus hijos ni tus nietos ni los ca%^% ke vengan despues de ti se te komparan eres uniko te adoro te adoro te adoro kreci kon tu musica y me kae ke kom tu no hay dos no se komo le haces pero chikitito tu siguele te adoro t eadoro te adoro no puedo decirte en realidad lo ke me haces pensar decir ni soñr pero te aseguro no es apto para poner a publiko te adoro te adoro te adoro eres todo y asi pasen mil años mas por ti te seguire adorando eres mas ke un cantante eres chenteeee mis sueños y mis fantacias jejeje les digo a mis hijos ke tu eres su papy porke kuando los hice jejeje estaba en otro rollo jejeje tu me entiendes verdad jejeje en fin te adoro y sigue kantando ke yo te sigo aplaudiendo jejeje muazzzz te adoroooooooooo~!!!!
about 1 year ago
HE TENIDO LA SUERTE DE VERTE EN PERSONA A TI Y A TU HIJO ALEJANDRO, SIEMPRE ME HA GUSTADO LA MUSICA RANCHERA PERO CREO QUE COMO TU NO HABRA NADIE MAS,ALEJANDRO ME GUSTA MUCHO TAMBIEN.RECIBAN LOS DOS TODO MI CARINO Y SI DIOS QUIERE LOS VOLVERE A VER.
about 1 year ago
vicente el charro mexicano tu musica me facina tengo 22 años pero desde niña e escuchado tu musica me facina, eres el mejor cantante tienes una voz expetacular tambien e visto tus peliculas como me hacen reir y algunas llorar como mi querido viejo,espero que vengas pronto a venezuela por aqui te queremos mucho bueno yo TE AMO... UN BESO TE ESPERO PRONTO para ir orta vez a tu concierto... besos
about 1 year ago
Dear Mr. Fernandez, I am a new listener to your music but I love it so much. It makes me happy just to hear you sing. You have such a beautiful voice and your speech is impecable. You have been very blessed with a great gift. I pray your family is well and for your continued success. Best Wishes, Colleen Rettman
about 1 year ago
vicente tu eres mi idolo!!!!!! Me encanta tu musica y me encantas tu . Mi sueno mas grande es conocerte y verte en persona. solo tengo 21 anos pero me encanta tu musica. Te AMO
over 2 years ago
Chente es el mejor cantante de Mexico. My husband and I thinking of seeing Chente in concert on Nov. 24 in Vegas. The Website did not show any other concerts, especially in Northern California. We wish him and his family the best of health.