Selena Quintanilla-Perez
A Star Is Born
My name is Selena Quintanilla and I was born on April 16th, 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas. I lived in a Mexican-American community. Music was an important part of my Mexican heritage. I was 5-years old when I started singing. I sang, while my brother, A.B., played the drums and my sister, Suzette, played the guitar. I first started singing country western songs, until my father taught me Spanish songs.
My Big Break
My first band was called "Selena y Los Dinos", which was named after my father's old band, "Los Dinos". Even though I was only 10 we would play at weddings and other events. People liked our music so much that they began playing our songs on the radio in 1983. In 1986 I won the Tejano music award for "Female Entertainer of the Year", I was only 15 years old.
In the Spotlight
In 1992 I got married to Chris Perez. In that same year I had my first hit song "Buenos Amigos", which means "Good Friends". In 1993 my record, "Selena Live", won a Grammy award for best Mexican American Album. I won another Grammy award and 6 more Tejano music award in 1995. I could not wait for what was to come.
Becoming a Ledgend
I loved to visit schools. I would tell kids to stay in school and to stay away from drugs. I tried to be a good role model for younger kids. My Mexican backgroud was very important to me. I taught people to be proud of their Hispanic heritage. On March 31, 1995 in Corpus Christi, Texas, I was killed by the manager of my fan club, Yolanda Salvidar.