Vicente Fernández, the King
Vicente Fernández music was a soundtrack of love, heartache and resistance to Mexicans and Mexican Americans for decades. We talk about why.
Headlines From The Times · Steve Saldivar, Ashlea Brown, Shannon Lin, Lauren Raab, Jazmin Aguilera, Kasia Broussalian, Iliana Limón Romero, Daniel Hernandez, Shani Hilton, Mario Diaz, Denise Guerra, Gustavo Arellano, Angel Carreras, Melissa Kaplan
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Show Notes
His nicknames: El Hijo del Pueblo — the People’s Son. El Ídolo de México — Mexico’s Idol. El Rey — the King. Or just plain Chente.
Ranchera legend Vicente Fernández passed away this week at age 81, and millions of his fans in the U.S., Mexico and beyond are mourning a man who was their soundtrack of love and sadness and resistance for over half a century.
Today, L.A. Times journalists who grew up with Chente’s music — host Gustavo Arellano, deputy sports editor Iliana Limón Romero, video journalist Steve Saldivar and culture writer Daniel Hernández — talk about his legacy. We even sing some of his songs — badly.
More reading:
Vicente Fernández, a Mexican musical icon for generations, dies at 81
Column: Vicente Fernández’s journey was our parents’ journey. Long may they live
Appreciation: 10 essential songs of ranchera legend Vicente Fernández