Freddy Fender has incurable cancer

Freddy Fender has “incurable” cancer.
This is pretty shocking. I learned about this news, ironically, at my guitar forum Fender-Talk.com . We used to joke sometimes that the forum wasn’t really about Fender guitars, but a Freddy Fender fan club forum. Some of the members there have even gone to Freddy Fender shows with me as we travelled across the US. I toured with Freddy from 1996 to March of 2005 – 9 years.

I noticed in the article that Vangie (his wife) did not ask doctors how long Freddy has to live. I thought that was very classy, and typical of Vangie – who is the ultimate in class. When I stopped playing with Freddy I figured someday I would see some news on CNN that things had ended, just didn’t know it would be this soon.

The #1 question I get from people about Freddy is “what’s he REALLY like?” – And with that question starts the magic of Freddy Fender. I got to see Freddy for nine years backstage, at each town’s fanciest restaurant, in little dive greasy spoons as we made our way from gig to gig on an endless search for the world’s best Menudo. The answer to the question is: Freddy was really like how people see him onstage. That’s what makes him a star. He is honest and open.

Many of the musicians in his group far surpassed his music knowledge 100x over. But he was the star. He knows how to relate to an audience and how to create the magic in a song. That was the biggest lesson I learned from Freddy, it’s not what you know – it’s what you do with it. And with every song he gave it all he had – every time.

One day we were having lunch just the two of us, don’t remember where it was – but I remember he was eating Menudo (which is always a safe bet with Freddy!). I asked him about his battle with alcohol, about becoming sober and clean through AA – and what he had learned. He quickly got VERY serious – leaned in intently and said “I learned two things. I learned there IS a God, and I ain’t him.” Then he started laughing uncontrollable in his chortle giggle, another Freddy trademark.

I think of that a lot. There IS a God, and I ain’t him. Simple words to live by. Freddy was very simple, in some ways almost naive like a child. I think that’s part of the reason so many millions of people love him.

I also remember doing a gig with Freddy in Northern Minnesota. We were chuckling because we knew there would be no one there. Who’s heard of Freddy in Northern Minnesota. To our surprise there was about 5,000 people – all standing outside in the cold for the concert. Another learning experience for us, and another lesson in learning why Freddy is truly the “King of Tex Mex”.

Freddy would call me “El Blanco” – I have very white skin. And it was always a little comical that I was playing with a Hispanic Grammy winner – because I’m about as white as they come: Full blooded Norwegian Lutheran from Seattle. He was usually fair with me, and the few times he wasn’t – I understand his point of view and would have done the same if I had been in his shoes. A band on the road becomes a family with seven wives, and there would be spats – but I know the entire band was proud in their heart’s that we were playing with the real deal, the original.

You can find all the bio info on Freddy through Google – how he started in 1959, was the first Hispanic crossover artist, first artist on Hispanic, Country and Pop charts at the same time. Also look up Baldemar Huerta, his real name. Story goes they were trying to think of a stage name for him – in typical simple Freddy fashion he just looked at his guitar neck and said “Fender” – then thought Freddy went well with that. Don’t know if the story’s really true like that – but I always liked the story so never asked. It’s a keeper.

Every once in a while at a Freddy gig someone would come up who thought it was Freddy who built the Fender guitar. (Wrong Fender – it was Leo Fender). One show in particular there was someone who had driven hundreds of miles and absolutely would not believe me that Freddy did not invent the Fender guitar. They walked away very sad when they realized the truth. So in the future I never corrected people when they said that – thought I’d let them keep that story – just like I want to keep the story around Freddy’s name.

People have an image of road musicians that’s not entirely accurate – so I’d like to set the record straight. Ok, we party a bit here and there – but usually we would finish a gig at 11:30pm – then be rushed to the hotel room – have to mellow out for some sleep so we could get up at 5am to catch the next flight. Truth is, most of the time we were just trying to catch up on sleep – or maybe that was just me. Amazingly, Freddy was ALWAYS up and alert – the rest of us would be snoozing and he would be talking away – didn’t matter if it was 4am. I was always a little bit jealous that he had partied so much in his life – but had so much stamina. He is truly a “road dog”.

I had always wanted to arrange a CD for him with a real orchestra. Take his classics and really do them classy. He did something like that with the CD he won a Grammy for in 2002 – all classic arrangements with hand percussion and nylon string guitars. So now that I’m conducting so many different orchestras, I’ll pretend from time to time that Freddy is onstage singing.

I remember the one time Freddy got very mad at me. We were playing in Stateline Nevada (Think it’s called Jean, NV now) and we were practicing with him the song Margaritaville. In the verses he would always drop a couple beats. So in all my musical wisdom I thought he would really appreciate me pointing this out to him, and I was so surprised no one in the band was saying anything. As I started to speak up I could see two band members behind Freddy giving me the “slit throat” signs to shut up. Then I found out why. Freddy went ballistic. He said “I’ve been doing music since 1959 and you’re going to tell me how to do it? I am Freddy Fender, the way I do it is the right way.” And he WAS right. Part of Freddy’s trademark sound is his quirky timing and phrasing. That was a big lesson for me too. There is no “right” music, there’s just music the way you want it to sound. Needless to say I never corrected him again.

I was always the youngest member in Freddy’s band. Started with him just after my 30th birthday, and I just turned 40 a couple months ago. It was a real trip to be welcomed into Hispanic circles when I played with him, was not something I was used to. Felt like a big family to me, something I’ve only known since then in church settings.

I’m sure each of the old Freddy Fender band members will be dealing with this in their own way. PT Houston, Vern Monnett, Rhys Clark, Augie Meyers, Chris Jurado and Charlie Rich Jr.

.
Thanks Freddy. I know there’s a God. And I know I ain’t him.

🙂

Conrad

22 thoughts on “Freddy Fender has incurable cancer

  1. Pingback: shellhunter
  2. Conrad, hope you still remember me, as Pam called me Miss Mississippi. Chris’s forever friend, Debbie, I always wanted to hook you up with my cuz- Athena. Chris gave me picture of Freddy, you & Chris taken in an airport somewhere….. I am corresponding with Chris, so I thought I’d send you a smile….. from Mississippi, I am praying for Freddy at this moment……..Friends, Debbie Hatfield

  3. I just heard about Freddy on Paul Harvey. My sister is one of his biggest fan. At one time she was in his fan club. She was telling me she wished she could go to one more of his concerts. When I heard the news I called her. If anyone has the address to his fan club, would you send it to me.
    Our thoughts and prayers go out to Freddy and his Famliy

  4. Hi Conrad: It is a little after 10 p.m. on October 14th and I just heard on the news that Freddy Fender died today. I am so sorry to hear this and know that it will be hard for you. My prayers tonight and tomorrow in church will be for Freddy, his family and you. Thank you for being a wonderful director for our church choir – you came to us not too long after you stopped touring with Freddy. You no longer have a “road” family but you do have us – your church family at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church and especially the choir. We will be your support as you are ours. See you tomorrow morning! Bev

  5. My thought and prayer go to all the family. May God bLess you all .I will miss him and his Music. My brother was a good friend of him. He also pass away a year ago also a Musician. Last time I talk to Freddy He told me of how much he loved his wife. So may God Bless You.

    Jessie Noyola

  6. Sorry for your loss Sweetie. Glad you had the gain first. Sounds like the man definatively enhanced your life. Love is like that.

  7. Conrad, I am sorry for the loss of your friend, Freddy, he will be sorely missed by MILLIONS! God bless his family and friends through this difficult time.

  8. Conrad! working with a guy who had his name changed legally to Freddy Fender Jr. he has a Cd out of the songs we use to play in the show! its pretty good stuff! I have booked a few shows for him, and doing a big show in Dec at Torrance Performing Arts Center, with Chris Montez, and Tierra, would love to have you in the back up band if you are available.
    email me….. TC

    Chris

  9. I believe the cagrette company’s need to be sued every day for this death sentance.

    When you smoke , its a death sentance.

  10. FREDDY IS GONE BUT THIS FAKE FREDDY FENDER,JUNIOR IS A RIP OFF. HE CAN’T SING, HE HAS NO ENERGY, HE IS SLOW, BUMBLING, VERY BORING AND SINGS FLAT. A TOTAL KNOCK OFF AND DISAPPOINTMENT. HE WAS SUED BY FREDDY’S WIFE ANGIE – HE’S A NICE GUY BUT COMPARING HIM TO FREDDY, HE IS JUST WALLPAPER AND FLAT OUT SUCKS. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. WHEN PEOPLE WATCH HIS SHOW, THEY ARE VERY QUIET AS THOUGH THEY CAN’T BELIEVE THEIR EYES – THE LIGHTS ARE ON BUT NO ONE IS HOME. AVOID THIS GUY LIKE THE PLAGUE. WHEN CORNERED HE ADMITS HE IS NOT FREDDY’S SON BUT ITS OBVIOUS IF YOU CHANGE YOUR NAME TO FREDDY FENDER JR, IT IS YOUR INTENT TO DEFRAUD. PUKE!!!!! AND OH YES, HIS BAND CONTAINS MEMBERS FROM FREDDY’S PREVIOUS GROUP AND I REALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN LET THIS DULLARD DUNCE FRONT THE GROUP WHEN THEY SAW THE GRAND CHARISMA OF THE GREAT BALDEMAR HUERTA HIMSELF. SORRY BUT THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH. TENKAI, MUSICAL DIRECTOR PROMOTER.

  11. Mr. Hoshimi Tenkai,

    I will censor myself because I have former bandmates that play with the Freddy Fender Jr. group. I’ll just say that yes, I agree that the real Freddy Fender had a wonderful charisma. I played keyboards for Freddy Fender for 9 years and it was a wonderful experience to work with him. When I was contacted to play in the tribute group I declined. I want to retain my memories of Freddy as he was. He was a very good man in my opinion and I really miss him.

  12. Conrad you declined because you were already doing the China thing. yes Vangie sued Jr. but lost because he had his name changed legally in California superior court 2 years before Freddy died. Listen Mr Tanakai or whatever your name is for real! But I have heard and worked with Charlie Rich Jr aka Allan Rich and he doesnt sound anything like Charlie Rich! his show is boring as well, You people expect the Jr ‘s to be clones of the real deals and they can’t be. Freddy always told us when he was alive “If you guys can make a living off my name after i’m dead go ahead” But you opinion is just that your opinion and opinions are like A__ __ holes we all have one! only your is bigger!! get alife!! we work an awful lot so show must have some value. We are at least trying to keep his music alive who else is???

  13. Well – I keep these comments intact because people that visit my forums know that I support free speech – although I am uncomfortable with this topic as it involves friends of mine. For the record, No, I did not have my “China gig” when I declined the Freddy Fender Jr. gig – and now I regret a bit even having posted such a personal bit of information.

    So I’ll just say that if people want to bag on Freddy Fender Jr. – please do it at another location. This original post was about Freddy Fender; he was not a perfect man, but in my opinion he was a good man. No one can take that away. He touched so many lives.

    To those of us that played in his band we share a love for him that is very hard to explain – other musicians that have been on the road with artists may understand; we were like a family. Not perfect, not always loving – but we were a family.

    If people want to continue to remember Freddy in various ways then my hat’s off to them. Losing Freddy was very painful. I remember when I heard the news I had to do a church service that morning and it was very difficult – the congregation was very understanding and actually did a moment of silence for him. A moment of silence for an ex drug addict and convict – a man that touched so many people’s lives.

    Freddy was very real. And those of us that played in his band, although each of us had musical experience that could run circles around Freddy’s musicianship – we were always in awe of his charisma and his ability to hold an audience. That is something you can’t learn in college – and Freddy had it.

    You want to comment about the real Freddy Fender – please post. Otherwise please find other locations to comment on side topics.

  14. ASLAND ,I AM SO GLAD YOU SAID FREDDY JR IS NOT HIS SON ,THANKS ,I AM THRU WITH HIM,,,,,,,,,,,,I THINK IT IS DISGUSTING FREDDY HAD TO GO TO PRISON FOR 2 CIGARETS MADE FROM A PLANT GOD MADE,,,,,,,,,,THAT WAS AN INJUSTICE ,I AM GLAD GOV JIMMY DAVIS HAD SENSE ENOUGH TO LET HIM OUT,IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE SAID HE WAS AN EX CON ,I THINK WE WERE VERY WRONG TO PUT HIM IN THERE WHEN WE MAKE ALCHOL + IT IS LEGAL .GOD DIDNT MAKE WHISKY ,BEER OR A LOT OF OTHER JUNK .HE GAVE US THE FRUIT OF THE VINE ,GRAPES TO USE + STORE THE JUICE ,HOWEVER THE DIDNT HAVE GLASS AS WE DO TODAY ,+ HE SAID IN HIS WORD ‘LOOK NOT ON THE WINE WHEN IT WAS RED,AS IT WOULD EFFECXT A PERSON,AND SAYS ‘NO DRUNKARD SHALL EBTER INTO HEAVEN,BUT HE TOLD ONE OF THE APOSTLES ,TIMOTHY ‘TO DRINK A LITTLE WINE FOR THE STOMACHS SAKE ,UNDOUBTEDLY IT HAS GERM KILLING PROPERTIES WHEN THEY HAD NO PURE CLEAN WATER TO DRINK AS WE ARE BLESSED.YES ,THE SINGER RUNS THE SONGGG,HE DID IT RIGHT,I HATE TO HEAR SOMEONE SING A SONG BY THE BOOK ,NO EMPHASIS ON ANY PART,THEN QUIT,ESPECIALLY IN CHURCH,I AM A SOLO ,+ CERTAINLY FOLLOW THE LEADING OG THE LORD + DO IT WITH GREAT FEELING,AS FREDDY DID ,I JUST FOUND ANOTHER VIDEO OF HIM ON ‘FARM AID ‘PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF HIS DAUGHTER HAS HIS BOOK OUT thanks jo

  15. Can anyone help? I was given a cassette by a friend many years ago which had the Freddy Fender song ‘If you’re ever in Texas’. The cassette was stolen from my car and I cannot find the song on any of the recording lists. I would love to hear it again. Feel free to mail me on gskellon@ao.com if you can help.

  16. I was sorry to hear we’d lost Freddy Fender. I remember how much I enjoyed listening to him when I was a kid in Texas. I still love listening to him, but it just adds a touch oh melancholy when you know he’s gone. There aren’t many of the greats I grew up with left.

    I really enjoyed hearing a little bit about how he was to work and live around. It was interesting. Thank you for the story!

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