|
Freddy Fender goes down into the history books. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
From the AP news service: 'Grammy Award-winning singer Freddy Fender, whose country and Hispanic-flavored music reached across ethnic boundaries to find a broad audience, died of cancer on Saturday at his Corpus Christi, Texas home, a family friend said. Fender, 69, died quietly with his family at his bedside, friend Ron Rogers told reporters. Fender was diagnosed with lung cancer in January and was told this summer the spreading disease was incurable. Born Baldemar Huerta to migrant worker parents in the Texas border town of San Benito, he began singing and playing the guitar at an early age.' ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ His place in history is assured. So many people loved, and respected Baldemar Huerta, for who he was, as well as his great, steady, and legendary contribution to country music ... Latino, and pop. He grew his whole life as a person ... getting back up after every fall ... may we all be that courageous and strong. His wife was his devoted partner ... and his family adored him. He was a gentleman, and a ... hero ... to many devoted fans, for many years.
Blessings be to your loved ones and may the Creator give them the strength to go on without you
... they really won't be without you, I am sure, as I feel a spirit as strong, and giving, as yours will always be around to guide them until you can all meet up again.
With great loads of love, always. I too look forward to singing with you when my time comes.
Adios for now my dear Freddy ...
God for sure will know such a beloved legend and have already made you comfortable.
With sincere respect and a great love,
Victoria and Gilbert
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added: October 14, 2006 >>>
Journal (most recent first):
My travels to see Freddy Fender ... sure wish there were more.
February 3, 2005 ... performance at 7:30 ... San Manuel Casino ... San Bernardino, CA Gosh I am so glad that Freddy is well enough to continue to perform. That is just the greatest news! .................... August Freddy is playing again in Laughlin, Nevada ... October! Get your tickets now ... Riverside Casino Dear Freddy: Hope your birthday on the 4th was a happy one and that you find yourself feeling better every day! Love from down near Indio, California.
YES Fans! I made it to Laughlin to hear Freddy Fender Live!!! It was a time I'll take with me to the next world and beyond. I love Freddy anyway I can get him, and apparently the large enthusiastic audience at the Riverside Resort did too. So many different kinds of people ... different ages from young to old ... all loving Freddy Fender. The large room just glowed!
Somehow miracle of miracles I know he brought everyone there ... to where he was at ... having them all thinking he was singing and 'telling it like it is' to each listening. He made everybody feel he was singing and talking just to them and looking just at them, as they passed his field of penetrating focus. Those eyes ... hit right through to the soul, with a lift over the audience and up to the stage ... upclose and personal.
He sang all of the favorites (visit Freddy's website to review) ... and the crowd whistled, clapped, .... and hollered 'oy yo yoy!' to the beat. The sad songs unbelievably sad, and the happy songs very happy. Augie Meyers was great to see again and the rest of the band was good. But Freddy was the star! Freddy is a star! Freddy Fender will always be a star ... history will record that. "Oy yo yoy!"
Thanks to my loving and very thoughtful spouse, I felt comfortable standing in the long thick line afterwards for an autograph, and actually had the honor of shaking his hand, as did my husband behind me who spoke to Freddy in Spanish ... saying "My wife is always trying to kill you off" ... "Freddy needs a kidney" ... "now he needs a liver" ... They laughed heartily ... I didn't understand the joke, but Freddy did and looked right into my eyes and said 'Thank you Mama' ... I floated on out of the area and ain't come down yet.
Now I think of all the cool things I could have said to him, the good wishes to him and his family, and I could have even told him about how his fan site here is developing ... but all I could mutter was; "It's an honor sir!"
But, it was such an honor to meet such a great personality, a survivor with grace ... a survivor giving such great gifts back ... each performance one of a kind and so personal.
Having a very ill daughter (34) waiting for a kidney and pancreas transplant, I empathized greatly over the recent trials experienced by Freddy and his family. I could see how tender he walked about the stage ... such recent physical suffering still on the surface. Regardless of his condition, he did not hold back with the feelings he sent out over us all packed in to see him. A secret love no secret anymore!
We went on a Sat. and he still had a Sunday concert ... gee, I wish we could have stayed for another ... I know it would have been another great one.
Until the next time ... sing it out Freddy!!! Sing it loud! Oy yo yoy!!!
UPDATE!!! Freddy Fender is coming to Laughlin, Nevada ... April 31 thru May 2 ... 2004!!!!!
AND "I am going!!! Visit Freddy's own web page and let him know how much you love his music: Freddy Fender
Want to talk about Freddy? AOL? Click Here
Scroll down for links ... updated frequently.
|
|
|
