GUADALAJARA, Mexico, Dec 13, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Mexico is in mourning: The

revered "king of ranchera music," Vicente Fernandez -- who won a dozen
Grammys and Latin Grammys during his career -- died Sunday at 81.

   The crooner, famed for his wide sombreros and for romantic songs that
enlivened countless fiestas and provided balm for generations of Latin
America's brokenhearted, died in a hospital in Guadalajara, his family said
in a post on Instagram.

   President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador posted a message of condolence on
Twitter for the "family, friends and the millions of admirers of Vicente
Fernandez, a symbol of the ranchera music of our time, known and recognized
in Mexico and abroad."

   Fernandez had been hospitalized since falling in August in his ranch near
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state and a cradle of mariachi music.

   In a 50-year career, "Chente," the son of a rancher, had sold millions of
albums. He also appeared in dozens of movies.

   He was the undisputed master of "rancheras" -- the tormented love songs
belted out to a backdrop of multiple guitars and swelling trumpets.

   Known for such sentimental and macho hits as "Por tu maldito amor" ("For
your accursed love") and the bittersweet "Que te vaya bonito" ("I wish you
the best"), he collected three Grammys and nine Latin Grammys, including one
this year.

   Fernandez's life saw both the best and worst of Mexico, the refined and
the cruelly violent.

   The worst moment for "Chente" -- who was also known as "The Idol of
Mexico" -- came during a 1998 tour when his eldest son Vicente Fernandez Jr.
was abducted and held for 121 days against a ransom demand of $10 million.

   To prove they were serious, the kidnappers cut off two of the young man's
fingers.

   According to an unauthorized biography by Argentine journalist Olga
Wornat, another of Fernandez's sons was the friend of a Sinaloa drug cartel
boss.

   With his trademark sombreros, thick eyebrows and dark mustache, the
"Sinatra of ranchera music" -- as the Houston Chronicle dubbed him -- cut an
unmistakable path in a career that began on street corners working for tips.

   - 'Look what day he chose'-

   There was controversy as well.

   In her book "El Ultimo Rey" ("The Last King"), Wornat says Fernandez was
the bitter enemy of a rival singer, Juan Gabriel, "because he was gay and
'Chente' was a man from another era." Gabriel died in 2016.

   Fernandez had also been accused of touching women without their consent
while posing with them. He denied doing anything inappropriate.

   Fernandez's death fell on the feast day of the virgin of Guadalupe, the
country's patron saint -- and a source of inspiration for mariachi
orchestras.

   Spanish-language singers around the world paid tribute to Fernandez.

   "Sad day, no words. The history of Mexican music will always bear your
name, Vicente, friend, you are and always will be THE KING," tweeted the
Spanish pop singer Alejandro Sanz.

   Cuban-American star Gloria Estefan described herself as a huge fan of
Fernandez as she tweeted: "I will continue to love, respect and admire him
because of the great person he was and the deep imprint he left on history."

   US President Joe Biden also sent his condolences, calling Fernandez an
"icon."

   "The music of Vicente Fernandez created memories for millions," Biden
tweeted. "Vicente will be remembered for generations to come."

   Fernandez's funeral will be held in private on Monday, but the family
opened the ranch called Los Potrillos on Sunday in Guadalajara for people to
pay their last respects.

   The late Fernandez named the ranch Los Potrillos -- the little colts --
for his three sons.

   About 7,000 people went to the Arena VFG on the ranch. Fans cheered from
the bleachers as a mariachi band played -- as was Fernandez's wish to have
music at his funeral.

   "It is very important for us to be given the opportunity to pay tribute to
a music legend," Leonardo Olmedo, a 20-year-old mariachi, told AFP.

   Fans also flocked Sunday to the hospital where Fernandez died.

   One of them, 65-year-old Miguel del Toro, held a scrap book of Fernandez
memorabilia and fought back tears.

   "Look what day he chose, the 12th," del Toro said, referring to the feast
of the virgin of Guadalupe.

   "I feel sadness, but also happiness because now he is singing to the
virgin," del Toro said.