Trivia

Bi-lingual country singer.

His best known hit song was Before the Next Teardrop Falls, a No. 1 hit on both Billboard magazine's country and Hot 100 charts in 1975. The song sold one million copies and was awarded the Country Music Association's Single of the Year in 1975.

Sentenced to prison in 1960 for possession of marijuana.

In February of 1999, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush of Texas endorsed him. His star is located at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard.

Had a kidney transplant from his daughter, adopted daughter Marla Garcia, in January 2002 and a liver transplant in 2004.

Had three other No. 1 hits on Billboard's country charts -- "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" and "Secret Love" (1975, the latter a bi-lingual remake of the Doris Day hit); and "You'll Lose a Good Thing" (1976). His other top 10 country hits were "Vaya Con Dios" and "Living it Down" (1976); and "The Rains Came" (1977).

Diagnosed with incurable cancer [August 3, 2006].

Son of migrant workers, who did his own share of picking crops.

Bioligical children, Sonny, Danny and Tammy. Fender and wife adopted a child name Marla.