This Is a Big Deal
The Latin Frank Sinatra/Elvis graces Houston and he's not retiring his sombrero
To someone who grew up with traditional ranchera music playing on your parents or grandparents stereo there is no need to explain the cultural importance of Vicente Fernandez. For over 40 years his name has been synonymous with the romantic folk music that is as ingrained in Mexican culture as jazz is in America.
He was long ago crowned "El rey de la cancion ranchera" (The King of the ranchera song). Now age 70, it doesn't appear he has given any thought to relinquishing that title.
In 2002 Fernandez was anointed the Person of Year at the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Science awards (essentially the Latin Grammys). Fernandez joined Emilio Estefan and Julio Iglesias in this elite group of artists honored by LARAS for career achievement. It's an award that is usually bestowed on artists who can see the last concert stage and recording studio at the end of the career tunnel.
Apparently Fernandez didn't get the memo.
Since getting that retirement gift Fernandez has released 10 more albums including the live set Primera Fila which went to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and earned him a Latin Grammy nomination for best Mariachi album. His 82nd album, El Hombre Que Mas Te Amo, was just released earlier this month.
He's the Energizer Bunny in a giant sombrero.
So how do you explain who Vicente Fernandez is to someone who doesn't know ranchera and mariachi lore?
How about this, in England he would rival The Beatles John Lennon and in the U.S. he is on par with Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley. All of them own a large piece of the musical pie within the genre they perform.
And when they die, each of them takes that big artistic wedge with them leaving the rest of us to wallow in nostalgia and memories for generations.
Yeah, Fernandez is that big of a deal. It's not very often you can plan to see history play out. Don't miss this opportunity.
Vicente Fernandez, 8 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Center
Tickets: Tickets $49.50-$200
