Regional Mexican Country
tagStarted 1940sPeak 1970s-2000sLast big hit still activeFrom MexicoSung in Spanish
Located in 1 route
Mexico's own country cousin: ranchera and norteño sung by charro-suited balladeers about land, horses, pride and heartbreak. Mariachi trumpets and violins or norteño accordion swap leads with a country-style ache in the vocal, mid-tempo rancheras and waltzes that function as Mexico's working-class country songbook.
History
Ranchera codified in mid-20th-century Mexico as a rural, nationalist song form parallel to American country. Antonio Aguilar pioneered the charro horse spectacle on stage; Vicente Fernández became 'El Rey de la Música Ranchera,' selling tens of millions. The tradition continues through his son Alejandro and a new norteño-country crossover generation.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- Wikipedia: Vicente Fernández
- The Seattle Times: The roots of ranchera
- OC Weekly: The 20 Greatest Ranchera Singers of All Time