Freddy Fender, one of the first singers of Mexican-American origin to gain national fame and score a number one hit, is extremely ill from blood poisoning but has been released from the hospital, according to AP:

Freddy Fender has been discharged from a hospital and was resting at his South Texas home Thursday, but family and friends said the Grammy-winning musician remained gravely ill.

Fender, 69, had been getting treatment for cancer in Oklahoma but was transferred to a hospital in San Antonio last week because of a blood infection.

“He’s not doing too good,” said his wife, Vangie Huerta. “It’s kind of like — we just got back yesterday and it’s kind of breaking us.”

Ron Rogers, who has acted as a spokesman for Fender, said the musician had talked about making a public statement but hadn’t been able to yet.

“Of course he’s ill, gravely ill, and he’s at home resting,” he said.

Fender, born Baldemar Huerta, grew up as a migrant farm worker in South Texas, and reached the height of his fame in the mid-70s with a number one hit on the country charts: Before the Next Teardrop Falls. Before falling ill with blood infection, he was suffering from incurable cancer.

Via / Yahoo! Entertainment