Last Chance To See 600 sq mi: Hidden
Missed Connections: Gefilte Fish...and "Chain Connections"
H-Town Rock
Rock Talk, Vol. IX
Texas has lost a legend in Freddy Fender, who lost his battle with lung cancer this weekend at the age of 69, at his home in Corpus Christi, with his family by his side. Baldemar Huerta, now known to the world as Freddy Fender, was born in 1937 in San Benito, Texas in "The Valley", the son of migrant workers. He made his first radio appearance at the age of 10 in Harlingen. Regionally, he may be best known more for his work with The Texas Tornados, along with Doug Sahm (1941 - 1999), Flaco Jimenez and Augie Meyers. He was conjunto, before conjunto was cool...gaining fame in Mexico and South America in the mid-1950's. Changing his name to Fender (from an elecrtric guitar), he went on to bring his unique sound to country music in the early 1960's, until a little scrape with the law in Louisiana (marijuana possession) landed him a spot in Angola for three years.
He then went on to play and continue to add to his craft in New Orleans. He moved back to The Valley in 1969, before coming to Houston in 1974 to record "Before the Next Teardrop Falls", which landed him, along with "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights", two Number One spots on the country charts in 1975. Houstonist sang along with the 8-Track, as a child...fond childhood memories of a beautiful voice and a talented musician.
In 1990, Fender joined forces with other Texas legends to form The Texas Tornados (we think his conjunto rendition of "Frosty the Snowman" is perhaps the best version ever recorded, no offense to the many artists who have also recorded it, and is difficult to find). The fruits of this collaboration earned the band a spot in the country Top 40 and a Grammy nomination. In honkytonks around Houston, "(Hey Baby) Que Paso" is a favored "sing-a-long" once the Lone Star starts flowing.
Of late, Fender was also a member of Los Super Seven (founded in 1998), again teaming up with a Texas legend, Joe Ely, as well as Ruben Ramos of Los Lobos. Although, they did not achieve the commercial success of The Texas Tornados, commercial success is over-rated, especially when you look at the charts.
In 1999, Freddy Fender received a star on the Walk of Fame. His last recording "La Musica de Baldemar Huerta" was released in 2002, following a diagnosis of Diabetes and Hepatitis-C and subsequent liver and kidney transplants. He received his last Grammy, for Best Latin Pop for this endeavor. His diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer came earlier this year, yet he remained optimistic, hoping for a miracle and stating that he'd "had a good run". Freddy is survived by his wife, Vandie Huerta and three children. Memorial and services will be held in San Benito.
We may not have that 8-track anymore - but we will, with sadness, search our CD collection and listen to Freddy with a heavy heart. "And I'll be there, before the next teardrop falls". Vaya con Dios, Freddy.
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Great Article Mary Jane! Freddy was always a good show to see. Growin up we used to go to different lil hole in the walls in the Valley and see him perform with Doug Sahm, Flaco, Stevie Ray, the Late great BW Stevenson, Steve Framhose, Joe Ely, Augie and many others....
San Antonio radio played several tunes by Freddy Fender on October 14. I took note because I've had my eye on a greatest hits compilation at a local store.
It rained off and on all day that Saturday.
Later, I found myself at the International Accordion Festival in San Antonio. People danced in the drizzle. The dampness only seemed to whet the appetite of the crowd for more.
Flaco Jimenez stopped his set to inform the crowd that a fellow band member of the Texas Tornados had died that day.
"Freddy Fender," the audience chanted, as if in celebration of Cinco de Mayo.
On queue, a gust of wind dumped the canopy of accumulated rain water in front of the audience. My friend observed, "The Next Teardrop Falls." We smiled in our sadness.
The band broke into a song, "Who Were You Thinking Of?"
The teardrops are starting now, Freddy, "The Rains Came."
"Since I Met You, Baby," your songs have been "My Secret Love."
We'll have some more "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" at the "Ranchito" because with Fender's guitar and his honey voice gone, we know, like he told us, "You'll Lose a Good Thing."
"Vaya Con Dios," Freddy.
I think I'll go get that greatest hits CD.