Legendary Los Fabulosos 4 guitarist Encarnacion Fuentes Jr passes away at 72

Encarnacion Fuentes Jr | Photo: Legacy.com

Encarnacion Fuentes Jr, the guitarist of legendary Tejano band Los Fabulosos 4, passed away on Sept. 11 with his wife of 50 years, Yolanda, by his side, according to an obituary. He was 72.

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The Tejano ROOTS Hall of Famer was a pioneering musician from McAllen, Texas, as a member of Los Fabuloso 4 along with his brother Edgar, and served as songwriter, arranger, and performer of the classic Tejano sound. He was an exceptionally talented guitarist and producer and enjoyed creating music in the recording studio.

In the early stages of the internet, he founded Tejanoclassics.com, becoming one of the earliest online retailers to offer, restore and remaster the early Tejano music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, which reached grateful fans internationally.

Carney, as he’s known by family and friends, joined Los Fabulosos 4 in 1971. That same year, the legendary group recorded one of their most popular albums, Como Ayer. He wrote and arranged a total of four songs for the album, which includes “Lágrimas”, “Divorciada Del Amor”, “Solo Pido Tu Regreso” and “Tema de Los Fabulosos”. He continued to write for subsequent projects by Los Fabulosos 4 and penned songs like “Adiós Mi Juan”, “Que Ya Te Vas” (also recorded by Laura Canales and later Adalberto Gallegos), “No Que No,” and others.

Music was his greatest passion. It is a passion that lives on in his daughters, Leticia, who is a classical violinist, mariachi musician, and Orchestra teacher, and Sandra, who shares his great love of Tejano music, working with him at Tejanoclassics.com and alongside him in his music business events.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Rivera Funeral Home, 1901 Pecan, McAllen, Texas, on Tuesday, September 21, from 4:00-8:00 pm. Service begins at 6:30 pm.

Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 900 S. 23rd St. in McAllen, TX at 11:30 am with interment immediately following at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission, Texas.

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