The death of Vicente Fernández at 81 years old in 2021 marked the end of a golden era of Mexican ranchera music that lasted almost a century and was immortalized in both film and music by larger than life stars like José Alfredo Jiménez, Javier Solís, Antonio Aguilar and Fernández’s idol, Pedro Infante.
Now, Fernández’s lasting legacy not only in Mexico but throughout the entire Spanish speaking universe, is receiving a further boost with De Rey a Rey, the album and tour by his also superstar son, Alejandro Fernández, performing songs from his father’s vast recorded catalog.
Last weekend, Alejandro Fernández kicked of the De Rey a Rey Tour with two sold out shows at Mexico City’s Plaza de México, where he performed nearly 30 songs made famous by his father decades ago. The repertoire, ranging from beloved standards like “El Rey” to chart hits like “Estos Celos,” ran the gamut of Vicente’s long career and the universal appeal of his themes: love, honor and respect.
Alejandro also sang songs from his own extensive repertoire, which straddles contemporary pop and ballads as well as traditional Mexican music, but as he often does — and like his father, he wore his signature charro outfit.
“I’ve had the good fortune of being born with two great blessings: I was born Mexican, and I was born a Fernández,” Alejandro told the crowd. “Today, we’re celebrating the life of the great Mexican charro as he would have liked: Singing his songs. Viva Vicente Fernández! Viva music and tequila! Viva México!”
Alejandro will continue De Rey a Rey with shows in Mexico Nov. 2 and 7, and will relaunch his tour through Mexico and 27 U.S. cities in early 2025.
Meantime, Billboard’s Latin and Billboard Español editors have ranked all the Vicente Fernández songs currently on the show’s set list. From “El Rey” to “A Mi Manera,” here are the Vicente Fernández songs you will hear soon in Alejandro Fernández’s voice.