Skip to Content
Obituary

L.A.’s Streets Are Crying: Taqueros and Stars Pay Tribute to Vicente Fernandez, 1940-2021

The world is in mourning for the most legendary of legendary Mexican balladeers this morning. Vicente Fernandez died in a Guadalajara hospital at the age of 81 yesterday, leading to unbroken sonic memorials over airwaves, social media, car stereos, households, and even the sidewalks (including at Chente's star on Hollywood Boulevard where an angry white man shot a few holes through a cactus from a nearby apartment, possibly over the song-filled gathering). While words can't express the enormity of Fernandez's influence on Mexico and the world of entertainment at large, we've rounded up some of our favorite online tributes to El Charro de Huentitàn to help get the tears and tequila flowing.

Lalo Alcaraz

Big Boy, host of Big Boy's Neighborhood

Homies artist David Gonzales

Actress Salma Hayek

BReal: "Rest in peace to a king." Rapper Conejo and actor Mario Lopez both posted the same shot, with Lopez writing: "Vicente Fernandez was not just a singer. He was the voice of a culture who filled the households of many of us who grew up listening to his songs. His music is the soundtrack to a ton of memories. .. Damn, I’m sad… "

Boxer Oscar de la Hoya

DodgersLakers

Comedian George Lopez

Actor Michael Peña

TACO Madness winner Villas Tacos

Chef Wes Avila

Comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias

L.A. Times columnist Gustavo Arellano

DJ Zackey Force Funk

Rigo Jimenez, owner of Downtown's Eastern Projects Gallery

Foos Gone Wild

More Mexican Stuff via Cartoonistas

U.S. President Joe Biden

You can see many, many, many more brilliant and poignant Instagram tributes to Vicente Fernandez right here at the hashtag #chente.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Why did L.A. Public Library cancel its ‘Read Palestine Week’ talk?

The controversy over the cancellation has grown since December, with several national legal groups accusing library administrators of censorship. LAPL has also received more than 7,000 protest letters.

April 12, 2026

Sunday Taquitos #23: Cold As ICE

Sunday Taquitos! Art by Ivan Ehlers.

April 12, 2026

The Borderless Legend Before The WWE Mask

Rey Mysterio Sr. gave wrestlers a name, a style, and a future in both Californias. A new PBS documentary tells his story.

April 11, 2026

Daily Memo: ICE Keeps Targeting People at Rancho Cucamonga Court

Meanwhile in Crescenta Valley, a car chase by ICE ended with the driver fleeing on foot after colliding with a pole near a 210 freeway on-ramp.

April 10, 2026

Weekend Eats: James Beard-Winning Lakota Chef Sean Sherman Is Coming to Town

Plus, a new burger with Lebanese roots in Culver City and the world's biggest dry-aging facility with its own hand roll bar in DTLA.

April 10, 2026
See all posts