SAN DIEGO.- Mexico's beloved mariachi superstar Vicente Fernández is on a farewell tour that is to bring him to the Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre on May 12.

He announced last month that he would be retiring after a 45-year career, during which he recorded 70 albums that sold more than 50 million records.

"I will give the fans all that's left of my voice," said "Chente," as he's affectionately known, as the tour dates were announced for concerts in Mexico, the United States, South America and Europe.

He said that he is in good health but that it was time to leave the stage.

He last performed in the region on Sept. 9, when he gave a concert in Tijuana. At that time, he said he had no plans to retire

Fans hoping that he will change his mind, and continue to perform, are likely to be disappointed.

Twenty years ago he retired from making movies, and although he has received offers over the years to return to the screen, he never did so.

Tickets for his concert in Chula Vista go on sale on March 9. They range from $41 to $146 and may be bought at www.livenation.com.

andrea.garcia@sandiegored.com