Vicente Fernandez

Vicente Fernández was a Mexican ranchera singer, actor and film producer. He started his career as a busker and went on to become a cultural icon, having recorded more than 100 albums and contributed to more than 30 films. His repertoire consisted of rancheras and other Mexican classics. He was nicknamed "Chente" (short for Vicente), "El Charro de Huentitán" (The Charro from Huentitán), "El Ídolo de México" (The Idol of Mexico), and "El Rey de la Música Ranchera" (The King of Ranchera Music). He won four Grammy Awards, nine Latin Grammy Awards, fourteen Lo Nuestro Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He sold over 50 million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling regional Mexican artists of all time. He also created a musical dynasty, with his sons Alejandro and Vicente Jr becoming successful musicians. He retired from performing live in 2016, but continued to record and publish music. He died on December 12, 2021, at the age of 81, from complications of a fall he suffered earlier that year. He was widely mourned by his fans and fellow artists, who considered him a legend of Mexican music.