Vicente Fernández

For the professional golfer, see Vicente Fernández (golfer).
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Fernández and the second or maternal family name is Gómez.
Vicente Fernández
Born Vicente Fernández Gómez
(1940-02-17) February 17, 1940
Huentitán el Alto, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
  • actor
  • film producer
Years active 1967–2016
Spouse(s) Maria del Refugio Abarca (m. 1963)
Children 4

Musical career

Genres
Instruments Vocals
Labels

Vicente "Chente" Fernández Gómez (born February 17, 1940) is a Mexican retired singer, actor, and film producer. Nicknamed as "El Rey de la Cancion Ranchera" (The King of Ranchera Music)[1] throughout the Hispanosphere, Fernández started his career singing for tips on the street, and has since become a cultural icon, recording more than 50 albums and contributing to more than 30 films. He is the father of the popular singer Alejandro Fernández and Vicente Fernandez Jr, and uncle of Jackeline ("Jackie") Fernandez.

For over 50 years, Vicente Fernandez has maintained his position as the greatest living singer of Mexico, gathering an operatic vocal range, with a deep understanding of the roots of ranchera music. He is renowned for his melodramatic voice. In the dozens of Mexican films in which he has been a star, a role he often was left to perfection: the proud charro, or Mexican cowboy.[2]

Although less well-known to English-speaking audiences, Fernandez has consistently filled stadiums and venues throughout his 55-plus years of performing. His repertoire consists of rancheras and other Mexican classics. He is accompanied live by a mariachi group, but he is not technically a mariachi musician, as he plays no instrument live.

Fernandez's work has earned him two Grammy Awards, eight Latin Grammy Awards, fourteen Lo Nuestro Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has sold over 50 million copies worldwide.[3] He has an estimated net worth USD 25 million.[4]

Early life

Vicente Fernández in the center

Born on February 17, 1940[3] Huentitán El Alto suburb of Guadalajara Jalisco, Fernández spent his early years on his father Ramon's ranch on the outskirts of Guadalajara. He also worked at a young age as a waiter, dish washer, cashier, and finally manager of his uncle's restaurant. "Chente" as he was known to all, became fond of the idyllic ranch lifestyle. His mother often took him to see the films of Pedro Infante; he has said of these films' significance: "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 him.'" By age 8 he had taken up the guitar and was practicing singing in the style of the ranchera singers he heard on the radio. As a boy, Fernandez sang at a festival in Arandas, Mexico where he won the contest. Later, at 21, he won 31 pesos in another contest. In 1954 he won an amateur contest sponsored by a Guadalajara television station. It was his first break into performing and he began to play at local clubs and gatherings. But around this time, 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 holding to his musical aspirations. He recently said he was originally from Cocula, Jalisco.

In 1960, Fernandez devoted himself to music full-time. He went back to Jalisco, where he performed as a busker and occasionally appeared 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—unsuccessfully—for record companies. Discouraged, he left around 1963 to marry Maria del Refugio "Cuca" Abarca Villasenor. They now have three sons: Vicente Jr., Gerardo, and Alejandro.[5] Vicente Jr was born 3 months premature in 1963; Fernandez's mother died the same week.

Breakthrough

In the spring of 1966, Javier Solís, Mexico's most popular traditional singer, died. Discos CBS, the recording label in the Mexican department of CBS Records International, offered Fernández a recording contract. He released his first recording, "Perdóname", with the company in 1966; Fernández still records for the label, which is now Sony Music Latin of Sony Music Entertainment.

Fernández's career took off and has been nonstop ever since. He branched into acting with the 1971 film Tacos al Carbón. His first hit movie, for which he did the soundtrack, was 1974's La Ley del Monte. In the span of 20 years Fernández 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.

Fernández was involved in a scandal where it was made public that he maintained a 10-year relationship with Patricia Rivera. Fernández met her while filming "El Arracadas" in 1977. Years later, she declared that her son Pablo Rodrigo was a product of their relationship, and Fernández gave him his last name; however, DNA tests have disproved this declaration.[5]

Fernández works hard for his audiences and his performances are legendary. His adoring fans consistently pack any venue, from city squares to large U.S. arenas. He promises each audience that he'll sing until they are tired, making his concerts last from 2 1/2 to 4 hours. Maintaining the ranchera tradition, Fernández always performs wearing the charro, an embroidered suit and sombrero.

To me it's (the charro) Mexico's second flag. When I put it on, I become an ambassador.
— Vicente Fernández, as quoted by Matt Weitz, Dallas Morning News

His pride in tradition and dedication to his fans has led to him to perform when many other artists would have canceled. He still tells his fans,

Mientras ustedes aplaudan yo les seguiré cantando. (As long as you keep applauding, I'll keep singing to you.)

In 1970, just as Fernandez was about to go onstage, his father died. Overwhelmed by the tragic news but determined not to let the crowd go without a show, Fernandez went onstage and performed. By the end of the night the critics were comparing him to other famous ranchera artists like José Alfredo Jiménez, Jorge Negrete, and Javier Solís. Since then his music has expanded very rapidly. In 1998 he continued to tour despite the kidnapping of his oldest son. (He was released 4 months later when ransom was paid.)[6]

Fernández has recorded more than 50 albums in 35 years and claims to have recorded 300 more songs, making another 30 albums possible even if he retires. When he recorded an album, he spends 12–13 hours in the studio recording up to 18 songs; he takes a day off, then returns for another marathon session of recording another 15 or more songs. From this accumulation, he and his producer choose 12 tracks. Fernández's greatest hit was "Volver, volver," released in 1976; his first million-selling album was 1983's 15 Grandes con el número uno. In 1987 he launched his first tour outside the United States and Mexico when he traveled to Bolivia and Colombia. On April 16, 2016 Vicente Fernández performed for the last time in his career at Estadio Azteca effectively announcing his retirement.

Awards and nominations

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Wearing a black coat with yellow accents

By the end of the 1980s, Fernández had been famous more than 22 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 José Alfredo Jiménez, a tribute to Mexico's most famous songwriter José Alfredo Jiménez. The album earned him Billboard and Univision's Latin Music Award for Mexican Regional Male Artist of the Year, which he won 5 times from 1989 to 1993.[7]

In 1994, Fernández was nominated for a Best Mexican-American album Grammy for his album Lastima Que Seas Ajena, but he lost the award to Selena for her album Selena Live!.

In 1998, he was inducted into Billboard's Latin Music Hall of Fame.[8]

In 2002, the Latin Recording Academy recognized Fernández as Person of the Year. That year he celebrated his 35th anniversary in the entertainment industry, a career in which he has sold more than 50 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 well pass away when he does. For someone who was told he'd be better off selling peanuts than singing professionally, Fernández has made a tremendous impact on the music of his homeland. He also has his own star on the walk of fame in Hollywood, California; over 5,000 people attended his star-presentation ceremony, which is a record in itself.

Fernández also has an arena in Guadalajara named in his honor, a star placed with his handprints and name at the Paseo de las Luminarias in Mexico City. In 2010, Fernández was awarded his first Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Album for the album Necesito de Tí.[9]

In 2011, production began on The Man Who Shook The Hand of Vicente Fernández, a narrative feature film that pays homage to Fernández's enduring legacy. On October 22, 2012, a stretch of 26th Street (a street in a Hispanic neighborhood of Chicago called Little Village) was named in his honor. In 2015, Fernández was awarded his second Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano) for the album Mano A Mano – Tangos A La Manera De Vicente Fernández.[10]

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. Fernández received two awards from twelve nominations.

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
1984 "La Diferencia" Best Mexican-American Performance[11] Nominated
1991 Las Clásicas de José Alfredo Jiménez Best Mexican-American Performance[12] Nominated
1994 Lástima Que Seas Ajena Best Mexican-American Album[13] Nominated
1995 Recordando a Los Panchos Best Mexican-American Performance, Vocal or Instrumental[14] Nominated
1997 Vicente Fernández y sus Canciones Best Mexican-American/Tejano Music Performance[15] Nominated
1999 Entre El Amor y Yo Best Mexican-American Music Performance[16] Nominated
2000 Vicente Fernández y los Más Grandes Éxitos de Los Dandys Best Mexican-American Music Performance[17] Nominated
2001 Lobo Herido Best Mexican-American Music Performance[18] Nominated
2002 Más Con el Número Uno Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album[19] Nominated
2008 Para Siempre Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album[20] Nominated
2010 Necesito de Tí Best Regional Mexican Album[21] Won
2015 Mano a Mano - Tangos a la Manera de Vicente Fernández Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano)[10] Won

^[I] Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.

Latin Grammy Awards

The Latin Grammy Awards are awarded annually by The Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences of the United States. Fernández received eight awards from fourteen nominations and also earned the Latin Recording Academy for Person of the Year.[22]

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
2000 Vicente Fernández y los Más Grandes Éxitos de Los Dandys Best Ranchero Album Nominated
2002 Más Con El Número Uno Won
2003 35 Aniversario - Lo Mejor de Lara Won
2004 En Vivo Juntos Por Ultima Vez (shared with Alejandro Fernández) Won
Se Me Hizo Tarde la Vida Nominated
2005 Vicente Fernández y Sus Corridos Consentidos Nominated
2007 La Tragedia del Vaquero Nominated
2008 Para Siempre Won
Album of the Year Nominated
2009 Primera Fila Best Ranchero Album Won
2010 Necesito de Ti Won
2011 El Hombre Que Más Te Amó Won
2013 Hoy Won
2014 Mano a Mano - Tangos a la Manera de Vicente Fernández Nominated[23]

^[I] Each year is linked to the article about the Latin Grammy Awards held that year.

Lo Nuestro Awards

The Lo Nuestro Awards is an awards show honoring the best of Latin music, presented by television network Univision. Fernández received fourteen awards from thirty three nominations.[24]

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
1989 Himself Regional Mexican Artist Won
El Cuatrero Regional Mexican Album of the Year Nominated
"Dos Corazones" (shared with Vikki Carr) Regional Mexican Song of the Year Nominated
1990 Himself Regional Mexican Artist Won
Por Tu Maldito Amor Regional Mexican Album of the Year Nominated
"Por Tu Maldito Amor" Regional Mexican Song of the Year Won
"Mujeres Divinas" Regional Mexican Song of the Year Nominated
1991 Himself Regional Mexican Artist Won
"Amor De Los Dos" (shared with Alejandro Fernández) Regional Mexican Song of the Year Nominated
1992 Himself Regional Mexican Male Artist of the Year Won
Arriba el Norte y Arriba el Sur (shared with Ramón Ayala Regional Mexican Album of the Year Nominated
"Que Sepan Todos" Regional Mexican Song of the Year Nominated
1993 Himself Regional Mexican Male Artist Won
Qué De Raro Tiene Regional Mexican Album of the Year Nominated
1996 Himself Regional Mexican Male Artist Nominated
Aunque Me Duela el Alma Regional Mexican Album of the Year Nominated
1998 "Nos Estorbó la Ropa" Regional Mexican Song of the Year Nominated
1999 "Me Voy a Quitar de En Medio" Regional Mexican Song of the Year Nominated
2000 Himself Regional Mexican Male Artist Nominated
2001 Himself Regional Mexican Male Artist Nominated
Himself Ranchera Performance Nominated
Lobo Herido Regional Mexican Album of the Year Nominated
2002 Himself Regional Mexican Male Artist Nominated
Himself Ranchera Performance Nominated
2003 Himself People's Internet Choice Award: Regional Mexican Won
2004 Himself Ranchera Performance Nominated
2005 Himself Ranchera Performance Nominated
2006 Himself Ranchera Performance Won
2007 Himself Ranchera Performance Won
2008 Himself Regional Mexican Male Artist Nominated
Himself Lifetime Achievement Award Won
2009 Himself Regional Mexican Male Artist Won
Himself Ranchera Performance Won
2010 Himself Artist of the Year Nominated
Himself Ranchera Performance Won
Himself Regional Mexican Male Artist Nominated
"El Último Beso" Regional Mexican Song of the Year Nominated
2012 Himself Ranchera Performance Nominated
2013 Himself Ranchera Performance Nominated
2014 Himself Ranchera Performance Won

^[I] Each year is linked to the article about the Lo Nuestro Awards held that year.

Discography

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ Archived December 19, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ "Hire A Local Mariachi". Chente.com. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  3. 1 2 Jeff Tamarkin (Rovi Corporation). "Vicente Fernández - Biography". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  4. ↑ "Vicente Fernandez Net Worth". Celebrity Net Worth. 1940-02-17. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  5. 1 2 "Vicente Fernández Biography". Sortmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  6. ↑ "World Music Legends Vicente Fernandez World Music at Global Rhythm - The Destination for World Music". Globalrhythm.net. 2005-10-09. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  7. ↑ "Vicente Fernandez Biography". Musicianguide.com. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  8. ↑ Burr, Ramiro (July 25, 1998). "Hats Off to the Music of Regional Mexican". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 110 (30): 49. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Vicente Fernández gana su primer Grammy anglo". Terra Networks Mexico. January 31, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Vulpo, Mike (February 8, 2015). "2015 Grammy Award Winners: The Complete List". E! Online. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Complete List of the Nominees for 26th Annual Grammy Music Awards". Schenectady Gazette (The Daily Gazette Company). January 9, 1984. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  12. ↑ "List of Grammy nominations". Times-News (Hendersonville, North Carolina: The New York Times Company). January 11, 1991. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  13. ↑ "36th Grammy Awards – 1994". Rock on the Net. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
  14. ↑ "The 37th Grammy Nominations". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). January 6, 1995. p. 3. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  15. ↑ "The Complete List of Nominees". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). January 8, 1997. p. 4. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Academy's Complete List of Nominees". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). January 6, 1999. p. 4. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  17. ↑ "A Complete List of the Nominees". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). January 5, 2000. p. 4. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  18. ↑ Boucher, Geoff (January 4, 2001). "Grammys Cast a Wider Net Than Usual". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). p. 4. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Complete List Of Grammy Nominees". CBS News. January 4, 2002. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Elizalde y K-Paz nominados al Grammy". Terra Networks (in Spanish) (Telefónica). Associated Press. December 6, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Vicente Fernández gana su primer Grammy anglo". Terra Networks Mexico (in Spanish). Telefónica. January 31, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  22. ↑ Latin Grammy Awards:
    • General Past Winners Search: "Past Winners Search". The Latin Grammys (The Latin Recording Academy). Retrieved 2015-02-20.
  23. ↑ "The Full List of Nominations Latin Grammy". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Publishing Co.). 2014-11-20. Retrieved 2015-03-14.
  24. ↑ Lo Nuestro Awards:

http://vicentefernandez.mx/en/biography/

External links

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