René Herrera was a notable Tejano-pop musician, best known as one half of the Latin pop duo René y René, alongside René Ornelas. Born on October 2, 1935, Herrera was a prominent figure in the 1960s music scene, achieving significant success with the duo's hit singles "Angelito" in 1964 and "Lo Mucho que Te Quiero" in 1969. These tracks not only charted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 but also marked René y René as pioneers among Chicano artists, being among the first to appear on American Bandstand.

The duo was inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame in 2001, recognizing their contributions to the genre. Despite their success, Herrera retired from the music industry in 1969, preferring to stay close to his family. After his retirement, he pursued a career outside of music, working with the city of Laredo, Union National Bank, and the Laredo Independent School District.

René Herrera passed away from cancer on December 20, 2005, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 70. He is remembered for his contributions to Latin pop music and his impact on the Tejano music scene.