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Freddy Fender's turning point was 'Before the Last Teardrop Falls'

Freddy Fender and Paul Rodriguez
Singer Freddy Fender, left, accepted an award from comedian Paul Rodriguez during the 2002 Alma Awards May 18, 2002, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Vince Bucci | Getty Images 2002

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Today's Morning Edition music is from Freddy Fender with "Before the Last Teardrop Falls," which was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart 40 years ago Monday.

The bilingual ballad also topped the country chart.

It was the turning point in the career of a singer born in southern Texas to migrant farm workers. They named him Baldemar Huerta. In the 1950s, he was known as "El Bebop Kid" and sometimes as "Eddie Con Los Shades."

The name Freddy Fender was created by combining his favorite guitar and alliteration.