2006年VOA标准英语-Tejano Music Star Freddy Fender Dies

By Mary Morningstar
Washington
16 October 2006

Singer Freddy Fender died of lung cancer Saturday, October 14, at his home in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was 69. During a career that spanned more than four decades, Fender enjoyed success in pop, Country and Tejano music.

Freddy Fender

Born Baldemar Huerta, the son of migrant workers in San Benito, Texas, Freddy Fender was 23 years old when he earned his first taste of success with "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights." Although the single was released in 1960, Freddy would have to wait 15 years to see it top the Country chart. Soon after the song's release, he and his bass¹ player were arrested for possession of marijuana, and sent to prison for two years. After serving his jail sentence, Freddy worked as a mechanic in New Orleans, but continued to play music on the weekends. By the early-1970s, he was back in the recording² studio, making a string of Number One Country hits that included "Before the Next Teardrop Falls, "Secret Love," "You'll Lose A Good Thing" and a chart-topping remake of "Wasted Days and "Wasted Nights."

Freddy's success on the Country charted faded in the 1980s. But, a decade later, he began a new chapter in his career as a member of the Grammy-winning Tejano band, the Texas Tornados³.

The Texas Tornados also featured Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyer and the late Doug Sahm. Together, they blended rock, Country and various Mexican styles into their songs.

In addition to his music, Freddy also earned critical acclaim⁴ for his roles in various television and motion picture projects. They included an appearance in Robert Redford's 1988 Oscar-winning film, The Milagro Beanfield War.

During the past several years, Freddy Fender faced a number of health problems, including diabetes⁵ and hepatitis C. In 2002, he underwent a kidney transplant, and, two years later, received a liver transplant. Last January, Freddy was diagnosed with lung cancer and began chemotherapy treatments. Severe side effects led him to stop the treatments, and in June, doctors found several more lung tumors. Soon after learning that the disease had spread, Freddy said, "I feel very comfortable in my life. I'm one year away from 70 and I've had a good run … I cannot complain that I haven't lived long enough, but I'd like to live longer."

Legendary⁶ musician Freddy Fender lost his battle with cancer on October 14.

1 bass   

n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴

参考例句：

• He answered my question in a surprisingly deep bass.他用一种低得出奇的声音回答我的问题。
• The bass was to give a concert in the park.那位男低音歌唱家将在公园中举行音乐会。

2 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

3 tornados   

n.龙卷风，旋风( tornado的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• And the national weather service reports several tornados touch down. 国家气象中心报告预测龙卷风将来袭。 来自互联网
• They had stock footage of lightning, tornados, and hurricanes. 他们存有关于闪电、龙卷风和飓风的电影胶片。 来自互联网

4 acclaim   

v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞

参考例句：

• He was welcomed with great acclaim.他受到十分热烈的欢迎。
• His achievements earned him the acclaim of the scientific community.他的成就赢得了科学界的赞誉。

5 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。

6 legendary   

adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）

参考例句：

• Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。
• Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。