Vicente Fernández Gómez, also known as “Chente,” “El Charro de Huentitán,” and “El Ídolo de México,” was a revered Mexican ranchera singer, actor, and film producer. Born on 17 February 1940 in Huentitán El Alto, Jalisco, he showed early passion for music, inspired by legendary stars like Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete.
Starting as a busker, Fernández’s musical journey led him to join various mariachi groups, gaining recognition through local radio programs and live performances. At the age of 21, he had his first paid show on the television program La calandria musical.
In 1965, he made a life-changing decision to move to Mexico City to pursue a music career. Despite initial challenges due to the popularity of singer Javier Solís, Fernández’s talent shone through, and he received offers for albums shortly after Solís’s untimely death.
Fernández’s first contract was with CBS Records of Mexico, where he recorded successful albums like “Soy de Abajo,” “Ni en Defensa Propia,” and “Palabra de rey.” His songs, including “Tu Camino y El Mío” and “Perdóname,” achieved significant acclaim.
Throughout his illustrious career, Fernández garnered numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, nine Latin Grammy Awards, and fourteen Lo Nuestro Awards. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With over 100 albums and contributions to more than 30 films, Fernández solidified his status as a cultural icon.
His global impact was evident with over 50 million copies of his music sold worldwide, cementing him as one of the best-selling regional Mexican artists in history. Even after retiring from live performances in 2016, he continued to record and release music.
In 2023, Rolling Stone recognized Fernández as the greatest Mexican singer of all time and ranked him 95th in their “200 Best Singers of All Time” list.
Despite his tremendous success, Fernández’s beginnings were humble. Born to a rancher and a housewife, his family struggled to make ends meet by selling milk from their cows. As a teenager, Fernández took on various jobs, including bricklayer, painter, and cabinetmaker, but his love for singing persisted. During his working hours, he often entertained colleagues, earning recognition and job offers from construction companies.
At the age of 14, he began singing at restaurants and weddings, honing his craft as part of different mariachi groups. However, financial difficulties led him to work as a cashier at his uncle’s restaurant.
Fernández’s personal life also faced challenges; he married Maria del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor in 1963, and their first son, Vicente, was born prematurely, requiring home incubation due to financial constraints. Tragically, that same year, Fernández lost his mother to cancer at the age of 47.
Vicente Fernández’s remarkable journey from a young boy dreaming of becoming a music star to becoming a legendary figure in Mexican music history continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.