Thousands of Tapatios, and fans throughout Mexico and beyond its borders, are mourning the passing of singing idol Vicente Fernández whose death at age 81 was announced at 6:15 a.m. Sunday, December 12.
As many as 50,000 people showed up at the family-owned Arena VFG to fill the stands for a memorial tribute held in his honor on Sunday evening and the Monday afternoon funeral mass, according to authorities in Tlajomulco de Zuñiga.
The singer’s casket was displayed in front of the stage where his Mariachi Azteca provided musical accompaniment at both ceremonies. The setting was adorned with dozens of floral arrangements and memorial wreaths, a life-size crucifix and giant image of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
Fernandez succumbed following four months of hospital care after suffering a spinal injury from a fall in his home last August and subsequent diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome that eventually led to respiratory failure.
From humble beginnings, Vicente Fernández Gómez rose up to international stardom in a legendary singing and acting career. Known to friends and fans as Chente, over the years he accumulated monikers such as ‘El Charro de Huentitán,” “El Ídolo de México” and “El Rey de la Música Ranchera” in recognition of his talent, vast popularity and standing as a cultural icon. During a U.S. tour in 1991, he was dubbed the ¨Sinatra of Rancheras¨ by The Houston Chronicle.
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