Temperatures will continue to fall over the next few days

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

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.

More Morning Edition music

Arts and Culture

Shows

Morning Edition

Morning Edition: Music

The bilingual ballad topped the Billboard pop and country charts.

Today's Morning Edition music is from Freddy Fender with "Before the Last Teardrop Falls" which was number one on the Billboard pop chart 40 years ago today. 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.

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

Go Deeper.

Like this?