Considered to be one of the most important merengue artists in the genre's history,[citation needed] Villalona began singing in the early 1970s; his popularity started to grow by the late 1970s and has not declined ever since.

He grew up with his nine siblings and parents in the municipality of Loma de Cabrera, in Dajabón Province where he attended his first studies and began his artistic activities.

[citation needed] Fernando began singing at a very early age and became popular after participating in "El Festival de la Voz", an amateur TV talent show.

Songs such as "Tabaco y Ron," "Celos," "Te Amo Demasiado," "La Hamaquita," "Dominicano Soy," "Sonámbulo," and "Carnaval" among others became popular in the 1980s.

[citation needed] Fernando Villalona participated in Somos El Mundo 25 Por Haiti, along with other superstars such as Shakira, Ricky Martin, Romeo Santos and Enrique Iglesias.