Vicente Fernández

Vicente Fernández stands as one of the definitive voices of ranchera music. He began his recording career in 1966 after signing with a national label and, from there, built a songbook rooted in traditional mariachi. Throughout the 1970s, his name became synonymous with sold-out venues and radio staples, thanks to hallmark performances of “Volver, volver,” “La ley del monte” and “El rey,” alongside prominent roles in Mexican cinema. His commanding stage presence, resonant timbre, and sustained phrasing established him as a cultural reference far beyond Mexico.

His broad popularity is traceable to verifiable milestones: steady albums, box-office films, international tours, and industry awards, plus a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the mid-2000s he reached new audiences with fresh releases and, in 2016, delivered his farewell concert at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca (“Un Azteca en el Azteca”), a landmark moment that crowned a long career with mariachi at its core. His style preserved ranchera tradition while engaging new generations through the direct emotional clarity of his interpretations.

His story is also intertwined with other notable artists. He shared stages and recordings with Alejandro Fernández in family performances that marked key moments of his trajectory. He popularized compositions by José Alfredo Jiménez and Juan Gabriel, and turned Joan Sebastian’s “Estos celos” into a hit—clear, public links with iconic Mexican songwriters. That dialogue between interpreter and composers explains the endurance of his catalog and its lasting impact on popular song.