Culture
The world bids farewell to an idol: Vicente Fernández dies at 81
"Chente" passed away after several months in the hospital due to a spinal injury
December 12, 2021 9:56am
Updated: December 13, 2021 12:25pm
The music legend, Vicente Fernandez, passed away on Sunday at age 81 after several months in the Country Hospital in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
His family confirmed his death through the singer's social networks. He had suffered a spinal trauma due to a fall last August that injured his cervical vertebrae.
"It was an honor and great pride to share with everyone a great trajectory of music and to give it all for his audience. Thank you for continuing to applaud, thank you for continuing to sing," reads an Instagram post.
Throughout his medical treatments, "Chente" was put on mechanical ventilation while undergoing physical and pulmonary rehabilitation.
The singer of "Estos celos" is now part of the list of great voices that were extinguished during the pandemic and left a huge mark on the world. His musical work will go down in history.
"There is one thing that cannot be bought even with all the gold in the world and you have always given it to me without me having to put a gun to your head," said Vicente Fernández during his last concert at Mexico’s Azteca Stadium in 2016. "Your presence, your affection, your respect, and your applause," he added.
“Un Azteca en el Azteca” (An Aztec in the Aztec) was the name of the concert and one of the singer's most successful albums. Around 85,000 people attended the event.
"El Charro" was born on February 17, 1940 in the town of Huentitán El Alto, Jalisco. When he was only six years old, he dreamed of a musical career. At eight he was already playing the guitar and, thanks to the lessons he received, he learned and continued his path in music.
"From what I can remember when I was 6 or 7 years old, I would go to see Pedro Infante's movies and I would tell my mom 'when I grow up I'm going to be like them'," says Vicente Fernandez's official website
Over the years, "Chente" became an icon of ranchera music in Mexico and the world due to his enormous talent. He received countless awards and recognitions, including Grammy Awards and Premios Lo Nuestro, in addition to getting a star on the "Walk of Fame" in Hollywood. He starred in approximately 30 movies.
For more than 50 years, Vicente Fernandez was considered Mexico's greatest living singer.
