NNA - Mexico is in mourning: The revered "king of ranchera music" Vicente Fernandez, winner of nearly a dozen Grammys, died Sunday at 81.

The crooner, famed for his wide sombreros and for romantic songs that animated countless fiestas and provided balm for generations of Latin America's brokenhearted, died in a hospital in Guadalajara, his family said in a post on Instagram.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador posted a message of condolence on Twitter for the "family, friends and the millions of admirers of Vicente Fernandez, a symbol of the ranchera music of our time, known and recognized in Mexico and abroad."

Fernandez had been hospitalized since falling in August in his ranch near Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state and a cradle of mariachi music.

In a 50-year career, "Chente," the son of a rancher, had sold millions of albums. He also appeared in dozens of movies.

He was the undisputed master of "rancheras" -- the tormented love songs belted out to a backdrop of multiple guitars and swelling trumpets.

Known for such sentimental and macho hits as "Por tu maldito amor" ("For your accursed love") and the bittersweet "Que te vaya bonito" ("I wish you the best"), he collected three Grammy awards and nine Latin Grammys.

Fernandez's death fell on the feast day of the virgin of Guadalupe, the country's patron saint -- and a source of inspiration for mariachi orchestras. --AFP

==================== L.Y