- Title: Mexico's beloved Vicente Fernandez bids farewell with concert
- Date: 17th April 2016
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN SINGER VICENTE FERNANDEZ, SAYING: "To die on stage is to take to the grave what you most love in this life, your presence, your affection, your respect and your applause."
- Embargoed: 1st May 2016 14:21
- Keywords: Alejandro Fernandez ranchera farewell concert Estadio Azteca Vicente Fernandez Mexico
- Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Music
- Reuters ID: LVA0024DR9HKZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez played his last concert on Saturday (April 16) in Mexico City's massive Azteca stadium, after five decades of live shows.
The concert in the stadium called "Un Azteca En El Azteca, or "An Aztec in the Azteca" in English, was broadcast in Mexico and the United states and saw some 85,000 people in attendance.
"To die on stage is to take to the grave what you most love in this life, your presence, your affection, your respect and your applause," Fernandez said to his adoring audience.
Fernandez, 76, announced his retirement in February 2012, but his Mexico City concert was one final time to thank his fans for their support.
Hailed as the "King of the Ranchera," Fernandez has won countless awards during a career spanning more than 45 years resulting in more than 100 albums and 25 motion pictures.
His son Alejandro Fernandez has followed his father's footsteps in pursuing a successful career in Mexican folk music.
Joining his father on stage, Alejandro Fernandez vowed to continue his father's legacy.
"Never will I let Mexican music die. I will always take it in my heart, my soul and I will continue to take it to the world, wherever they will open their doors just like you asked of me. It is for you. I love you Dad," said Alejandro Fernandez.
Fernandez is considered a folk hero in Mexico, and has attracted a huge following in other Latin American countries as well.
This fan travelled from Colombia and told Reuters it was an honour to be with the crooner for his final performance.
"It's something very important in life to be with the boss of Ranchera (music), to be with Don Vicente is an honour, to accompany him today. It's a great honour. I've come from Colombia," said Cesar Castaneda.
Fernandez is considered the quintessential Mexican crooner. Expansive sombreros, intricately embroidered mariachi suits, a stark black mustache and a rich tenor give him the perfect persona for singing traditional Mexican songs of love and loss.
The Mexican crooner has vowed to keep on releasing recorded material but will not perform live. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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