LULAC Remembers Vicente Fernandez, Who Has Died At 81

Nation's Largest and Oldest Latino Civil Rights Organization Salutes the King of Mexican Rancheras For a Life Lived Celebrating Our Culture

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today issued a statement in honor of Vicente Fernandez, who died Sunday in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, after being hospitalized for several months following a fall at his ranch.

Domingo Garcia - LULAC National President
"We have lost one of music's greatest legends of any genre, not only for Mexico but the world. Chente was a larger-than-life superstar who thrilled audiences from the most humble palenques of Mexico and packed the most prestigious performance venues in the United States, shattering attendance records wherever he went. I met him at a get-out-the-vote concert in Las Vegas. He cared about his gente and getting equal opportunities. Offstage he was a modest, simple man who expressed gratitude when receiving a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. On-stage, he towered before crowds that sang along with him, often for hours, with his mariachi as he shared sips of cognac with his loyal fans. Vicente Fernandez was all of us, and he was each of us, from the humblest farmworker immigrant who sings his songs in the fields to the millions who have loved, cried, and died to his music, which will endure forever. I will always treasure having had the honor of meeting Chente and will never forget his warmth for all people and the love he freely gave throughout his legendary career. To him, LULAC says thank you for the decades of celebrating our culture through his more than 65 million records sold, 35 movies, and countless thousands of performances. I know that from this day forward, we will smile whenever we hear the unforgettable voice of Vicente Fernandez sing that with or without money, he did what his heart desired, never had a throne or a queen, but his word was the law and, in our hearts, he will always be El Rey! Que Viva Don Chente!"

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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/