In 1959, Fender recorded the blues ballad "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights." The song became popular in 1959, but he was beset by legal troubles after he and a band member were arrested for possession of marijuana. After a two years in Louisiana's Angola prison farm, he was released through the intercession of Gov. Jimmie Davis, also a songwriter and musician. Davis requested that Fender stay away from music while on probation as a condition of his release. By the end of the 1960s, Fender was back in Texas working as a mechanic, and attending a local junior college, while only playing music on the weekends.
Number One Pop and Country
In 1974, Fender recorded "Before The Next Teardrop Falls." The single was selected for national distribution, and became a number one hit on the Billboard Country and Pop charts. His next four singles, including a remake of "Wasted Days", all hit the number one spot on the Billboard Country charts. During the next few years, Fender had several major country hits, including the No. 1 hits "Secret Love" (1975) and "You'll Lose a Good Thing" (1976).
Texas Tornados
In the 1990s, Fender teamed up with fellow Tex-Mex musicians Doug Sahm, Flaco Jimenez and Augie Myers to form the Tex-Mex supergroup the Texas Tornados, whose work was widely acclaimed. Following the death of Sahm, the production of the Tornadoes slowed.
Los Super Seven
Freddy Fender continued to still be on top with a groundbreaking collaboration with several musical legends to produce another supergroup, Los Super Seven which consisted of David Hidalgo (vocals, guitar, drums, bass, percussion, requinto, hidalguera); Rick Trevino, Joe Ely (vocals, guitar); Flaco Jimenez (vocals, accordion); Cesar Rosas (vocals, six-string bass, guitar, guitarron, jarana); Freddy Fender (vocals, acoustic bass); Ruben Ramos (vocals). This Super Seven effort won a Grammy in 1999.
On February 4, 1999, Freddy's star was installed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2004, the Texas Folklife Resources produced a widely acclaimed sell-out show at the Paramount in Austin, Texas " Fifty Years of Freddy Fender", where Freddy was honored and then performed to a packed house. Also in 2004, Freddy's hometown of San Benito Texas honored Freddy with his likeness emblazoned on their new watertower with "Hometown of Freddy Fender". Freddy would later say that this honor meant more to him than any other accolade he had ever won.
Freddy Fender's Masterpiece...
La Musica De Baldemar Huerta
Freddy delves deeply into the music of his forefathers: the boleros and rancheras that would have played in the ghettos of his native San Benito, Texas, and that he sang as a youth in border-town cantinas. Especially gorgeous are "Adios Muchachos," a melancholy meditation on final farewells, and the delicate opener, "Rayito de Luna." El Be Bop Kid isn't just back; he sounds reborn. Freddy won his last Grammy for this album.
Freddy Fender underwent a kidney transplant in 2002 donated by his daughter and a transplant of the liver in 2004. Nonetheless, his condition continued to worsen. He was suffering from an "incurable cancer" in which he had tumors on his lungs. On December 31, 2005, Fender performed his last concert and resumed chemotherapy.
Fender has Passed on...
Rest in Peace, Vaya Con Dios
Freddy Fender passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2006, after a long battle with lung cancer. He is buried in his Hometown of San Benito, Texas.
Plans are underway for a Freddy Fender Museum to be located in his beloved hometown, San Benito, Texas. Check back at: www.freddyfendermuseum.org or
www.freddyfender.com
Before the Next Teardrop Falls
Freddy Fender Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then I wish you all the best
It's your happiness that matters most of all
But if he ever breaks your heart
If the teardrops ever start
I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
Si te quiere de verdadY te da felicidad
Te deseo lo más bueno pa' los dos
Pero si te hace llorar
A mé me puedes hablar
Y estaré contigo cuando triste estás
I'll be there anytime
You need me by your side
To drive away every teardrop that you cried
And if he ever leaves you blue
Just remember, I love you
And I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
And I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
The lyrics of Freddy Fender's song "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" describe a deep love and concern for someone who is dear to the singer. The song begins by acknowledging the happiness that the person has found in someone else's company and wishes them all the best. The singer selflessly prioritizes the happiness of the person over their own feelings. However, the singer also recognizes that relationships can come with emotional pain and that tears can be shed when things go wrong. In such a situation, the singer promises to be there for the person even before the next teardrop falls. The lyrics further reassure the person that the singer will be by their side anytime they need support and will try to ease their heartbreak by being present and driving away every teardrop they cry.
The lyrics of "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" are deeply emotional and speak to the universal human experience of love and heartbreak. They convey a message of unconditional love, support, and compassion. The song has a beautiful melody and is sung with a lot of sincerity and feeling. It became immensely popular when released in 1975, topping the charts in the US and Canada, and it continues to be a classic country song.
Line by Line Meaning
If he brings you happiness
If he truly brings you joy and love
Then I wish you all the best
I hope for the best for you and your relationship
It's your happiness that matters most of all
Your happiness is the most important thing
But if he ever breaks your heart
However, if he ever hurts you
If the teardrops ever start
If you ever shed a tear
I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
I'll be there for you before you shed another tear
Si te quiere de verdad
If he truly loves you
Y te da felicidad
And he brings you joy and happiness
Te deseo lo más bueno pa' los dos
I wish the best for both of you
Pero si te hace llorar
But if he makes you cry
A mé me puedes hablar
You can talk to me
Y estaré contigo cuando triste estás
And I'll be there for you when you're sad
I'll be there anytime
I'll always be there
You need me by your side
If you need me by your side
To drive away every teardrop that you cried
To help you through your sadness
And if he ever leaves you blue
And if he ever makes you sad
Just remember, I love you
Remember that I love you
And I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
And I'll always be there for you
And I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
And I'll always be there for you
Lyrics © SHELBY SINGLETON MUSIC INC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ben Peters, Vivian Keith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carolthompson796
Every time i hear Freddy sing i get all choked up. Underated, unappreciated, with one of the best, genuine voices ever! His story is heartbreaking, his music timeless! Thank you! 😢😢😢 ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ 😢
@nikokoroi
You can hear his longing soul speaking to us when he sings still to this day. Thank you Lord for the gift. Freddy Fender.
@Zarina1634
Freddy.
2023.
Rest in Peace.
@effierivera6008
Freddie is a 91st Psalms Angel that God encamps round about us when our physical bodies die. Our spirit doesn’t die. How special that Freddie’s Spirit is as a 91st Psalms Angel; bringing us encouragement w/ His beautiful God-given talent! Thank You, God, and thank you, Freddie Fender! You live on! 🙌🎶✝️
@TerrieLReed
Thank you Mr Fender God's speed to you Your greatly missed. Legendary artist
@johnschoonover5914
I was born in the 60's great tunes and still listening. A lot of broken hearts in the 80'S and 90's. Still here July 22024
@twgibbs3
I told my ex-wife about this song and used to sing it. She had never heard Freddie sing it and she used to laugh at me singing it. Then one day she was driving down the road and it came on the radio. When Freddie started signing in Spanish, she had to pull the car to the side of the road. She was overwhelmed. She said she didn't understand a word of it, but the singing was so beautiful that she started crying so hard she could not see how to drive. Every since, she has been a Freddie Fender fan. Music truly is the universal language.
@mikefisher1365
Thanks for sharing this story. You are totally correct!
@bettysajdak3041
I have loved all of Freddy fenders music cause he puts such feeling to his music!
@foesseauau4178
Yes music is awesome can you imagine doing this to father god he'd love is my assumption!.