About Selena
The girl who would become Selena was born Selena Quintanilla on April 16, 1971 in the small oil town of Lake Jackson, Texas. She was the youngest and last of the Quintanilla children. AB was first, then Suzette, and finally Selena. Selena's name came to be in a simple twist of fate. The Quintanillas were so certain they're third child was going to be a boy, they picked out the name Marc Anthony. (Ironically, Marc Anthony is now a Latin singer getting ready to "crossover") When Marcella, her mother, arrived in the hospital, her roomate was sure a baby girl was going to be hers, and she was going to name her Selena. When fate dealt unexpected cards to both families; the Quintanillas had a baby daughter, Marcella's roomate had a boy; they roomates switched names.
Abraham Quintanilla had been a member of Grupo Los Dinos, a local band that had become popular in the '50's and '60's in southern Texas. His dream was always music, but he had to get a job at the local Dow Chemical plant to support his family. In 1977, when Abraham discovered his young daughter could sing, he put together a band with Selena, her sister, her brother, and himself. He opened a Mexican restaurant, Papa Gayo's, to showcase Selena's talents. When Texas oil went bust in the early '80's, though, the restaurant closed. The family moved to Corpus Christi, and Selena Y Los Dinos became the family business.
Selena Y Los Dinos made their first record in 1984, and it had no success. In 1985, however, Selena was named Female Vocalist of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards in San Antonio. This nomination came on the heels of her first hit single, "Dame Un Beso". The following year, the nominations, and wins, continued. Selena had a hit with "La Bamba" in 1986 and "Munequito de Trapo" in 1988. In 1989, Selena was signed to EMI Latin. She released her first major-label album that year, "Selena".
One of Selena's biggest hits and signature songs came in 1990, with "Ven Conmigo". Selena appeared on several Tejano music programs, including The Johnny Canales Show. She was becoming a staple at the Tejano Music Awards. The next year Selena released "Entre a Mi Mundo". It had the song, "Como La Flor". Selena sang "Como La Flor" at every one of her concerts, and it was her biggest hit.
On April 3, 1992, Selena married her guitarist Chris Perez. Chris and Selena's relationship had developed since he had joined the band in 1990. They were married in Corpus Christi, TX by a Justice of the Peace.
In late '92, the Quintanillas hired a nurse, Yolonda Saldivar, to manage a fan club for the now very popular Selena. In later years, the two would become very good friends. In February of 1993, Selena recorded "Live!" and released it in July. It spawned three hit singles: "No Debes Jugar", "La Llamada", and "Tu Robaste Mi Corazon", a duet with Tejano hitmaker Emilio Navaira. EMI decided to sign Selena for a English album deal. It seemed as if no one could stop Selena now. In 1994, while preparing to record the English album, Selena released "Amor Prohibido". It had several hit singles, including the title track, "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom", "No Me Queda Mas", and "Fotos Y Recuerdos".
In early '95, Selena started recording her English-language debut, when problems arose in the finances of both the fan club and Selena's two clothing boutiques. Selena met with Yolonda Saldivar on March 31, 1995 at the Days Inn motel in Corpus. Yolonda fired one bullet as the ladies argued in room 158. Selena ran into the lobby and named her assailint. Then she passed out.
Selena Quintanilla-Perez died on March 31, 1995 at 1:05 PM CST. She was 23 years old.
In July of 1995, the English-language album Selena was planning for and recording, "Dreaming of You", was released. It had two hit singles on the English charts: "Dreaming of You", and "I Could Fall In Love". English audiences were charmed by this wonderful voice.
Even though Selena wasn't here to witness it, her dream of crossover stardom came true. She was, and is, truly an icon to the Latin music world and beyond.
Selena, siempre nuestros en tus corazones....