I am oddly mnoved by this death, which I noted in paper today too. I knew a guy at a Y health club who called me Freddie Fender. I did not know anything about the real Freddie, but my name was Freddie too.The guy was mob hit man, and a nice enough guy, he was drinker, drugger, and American Indian...he was gunned down in a hit. I was never sure at the time who Fender was, but knew he was some celebrity of sorts and till this post and news item, never interested enough to check it out. Now I know and it brings back memories. Esp. of interest with the Mexican illegal and llegal immigration issues making the news on a daily basis...Now I lwill have to look up the music. Thanks. posted by Postroad at 5:21 AM on October 15, 2006
Fender is one of the greats, and the first to record hit country songs in Spanish. He was a terrific showman and singer, though also a troubled man.
It would be nice to spell his name correctly in an FPP announcing his death, however.
Vaya con Dios, Freddy. posted by birdherder at 6:47 AM on October 15, 2006
I'm a big fan of Freddy Fender and Doug Sahm/Sir Douglas Quintet and them together in the Texas Tornados, and I've always loved the back and forth shout-outs to each other at the beginning of "Wasted Days & Wasted Nights." There's some kind of unhinged, heartbreaking grit to their voices and their songs that I completely love. Sorry to talk about both of them together in an obit about Freddy Fender but when Doug Sahm died I thought about Fender and this morning, hearing this, I thought about Sahm. Great, great music. posted by frances1972 at 6:54 AM on October 15, 2006
http://www.rocky-52.net/son/son_f/fender_freddy/fender_freddy_beforethenext.mp3 posted by Postroad at 7:17 AM on October 15, 2006
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My mom loved him when I was a kid, and his music is great.
You've probably heard Fender's music. Seems every movie with a country-western setting, at some point there's a scene in a bar where the jukebox lights up and either "Wasted days and wasted nights" or "Before the next teardrop falls" suddenly fills the room.
Aloha oe, Freddy. Even though I was only your driver, you were kind and genuinely friendly to me. I'll not forget you. Rest in Peace, my friend. posted by scottymac at 9:18 AM on October 15, 2006
I'm sorry to hear this. posted by dinah at 11:38 AM on October 15, 2006
I saw Freddy Fender perform with The Texas Tornadoes at Austin City Limits. He gave a shout out to all the LSU Alumni in the audience, which was cool, since I had graduated just a few months before. A great show. He will be missed. posted by ColdChef at 11:43 AM on October 15, 2006
The Tornadoes did indeed rock, and now Freddy and Doug are both gone. In honor of their memory I will waste today and tonight. posted by jonmc at 12:01 PM on October 15, 2006
Just an odd Freddy Fender memory....many years ago I was ill and listened to the radio to keep me company during the night (this was back when television signed off at around 2AM). Anyway, I'll always remember that during "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," the DJ talked over the record right before the Spanish language portion: "I shall now translate," he said. Freddy sang a line in Spanish, and the DJ then intoned "My duffel bag is green, how is yours?" and continued on for the next few lines. I laughed myself silly, a got the impression that the DJ wondered if anyone "out there" was listening to him. posted by Oriole Adams at 12:56 PM on October 15, 2006
RIP - god I loved him when I was a kid. He did a great cover of Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings". As good or better than the original. posted by vronsky at 1:34 PM on October 15, 2006
His songs where very popular in the neighborhood where I lived in Holland, back in the seventies. I bought some of his old vinyl 7" singles a couple of years ago and they have become the family favorites over the years. Damn Freddy, you will be missed. Vaya con dios. posted by ouke at 12:52 AM on October 16, 2006
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Once I had a secret love
That lived within the heart of me
All too soon my secret love
Became impatient to be free
So I told a friendly star
The way that dreamers often do
Just how wonderful you are
And why I am so in love with you
Now I shout it from the highest hills
Even told the golden daffodils
At last my heart's an open door
And my secret love's no secret anymore
---
Muchas gracias, amigo posted by Twang at 1:00 AM on October 16, 2006
I think I've been spending too much time lately fiddling with bikes. Thought you were talking about these. posted by craven_morhead at 11:35 AM on October 16, 2006
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posted by Postroad at 5:21 AM on October 15, 2006