Selnena was a very popular Mexican-American singer back in 1995. That's when everybody knew her. But when she started her career she was just about 9 years old. Her father, Abraham Quintanilla, was a singer too. He had his own band before he became a father. It was called, Los Dinos. His kids are, A.B. and Suzette. They started a "band" where A.B did guitar and Suzette did the drums, And Of course Selena sang. After some practicing they knew some songs and their dad was so excited so he even opened a Mexican restaurant with a stage for them to perform on in Lake Jackson Texas. It was doing so well but they kept losing money and got too complicated so they shut it down. They also decided to move out to another town and start over again. They moved to Corpus Cristi, Texas. They kept singing and performing at fairs, and other things like that. After a while they got some attention and got their name out there. A few years later they were still doing their band and then they had a name for it too, called Selenas y Los Dinos. They got more attention and started writing songs too. Their first song was called, Dejame Volar, released in 1983. People loved it and she started to get fans. After a few years she gained more fans and had little concerts around her town. She had her first real big concert in july 1990. At the Johnny Canales show. She sang one song that she wrote as well as a number of cover versions by well-known artists. After the summer of 1990 she began touring in the South States of America.
After some more performances she became well known and had so many fans. Everybody loved and looked up to her. She kept writing songs but they needed some more people to join. They got another guitarist to join. His name was Chris Perez. He tagged along and became a part of Selena's y Los Dinos. Selena and Chris loved each other but Selena's father did not allow it. After a couple months they did more tours in Puerto Rico, Columbia, Brazil, Mexico, and South America.
Selena and Chris got married on April 2, 1992. It wasn't a traditional wedding because they didn't want anyone to know yet. They just got married at the quart house. But that same day she did tell her father and he wasn't as mad as they thought he was going to be. He just accepted it. At this point Selena was 20 years old. They kept going on tour and performing still. Selena's biggest concert was on February 28th, 1993. It was at a livestock show in Houston Texas. The crowd was about 66,994 people! That was her biggest concert.
She became very wealthy and even hired Yolanda Salvidor to work for her and help keep everything in line for her. Selena even opened a boutique that still exists today! The reason she did this is because her family offered the idea. At every concert she had she thought and made her outfits. It was also a salon. Now it's a museum with all of her belongings, such as, all of the outfits she wore, her studio, personal belongings, there is even a microphone with her lipstick smeared on it. Eventually Selena also received her very first grammy. She won it March 1, 1995 for the best Mexican- American Album. Now back to Yolanda. She did keep everything in place for Selena and her family and they had all their trust built up on her too. Selena and Yolanda were best friends. But after a couple months or so, Selena's father knew something was wrong. He knew Yolanda was stealing from Selena. Also stealing their money from tours and concerts. Yolanda was not trusted anymore. On March 31, 1995, Selena went to Days Inn Hotel in Christi Texas, to get ready for her next tour. Yolanda was there to apologize for what she has done and knowing it won't be the same. As they were fighting Yolanda pulled a gun on Selena and shot her. Everyone was devastated at what Yolanda had done. Yolanda even wanted to end her life because she was so shocked at what she's done also. She went to prison, obviously, and is still in prison and getting released in 2025. Yolanda has a new show called 'The Secrets Between Them'. She talks all about Selena and Yolanda even said that she was trying to end her life but Selena grabbed the gun and Yolanda accidentally shot her. Which I don't believe because Yolanda seemed very jealous of Selena and everyone thinks so too.
Selena's grave is located in Christi Texas and is very beautiful. Her family does not do the band anymore and her husband, Chris Perez, still has all his love for her. Before her death she was writing a song called "Dreaming of you". She didnt get to finish it but it did get released and thats a great song to remeber her by. But there is a finished version of it but I've never listened to it. In 1997 there was a movie released called "Selena" and it is all about her and how she started singing and all that good stuff. There was a few people that were real and that knew Selena in the movie like, Chris Lopez and Suzette. Its a great movie.
Sources:
http://https://www.biography.com/musicians/selena
http://https://www.eonline.com/news/selena_quintanilla
Questions:
1. Have you ever heard of her and/or listened to any of her songs?
2. Have you ever watched 'Selena' the movie?
3. What do you think about Yolanda Salvidor getting out of prison next year?
Replies
Great topic choice and summary Leigha! The issue is you din't reply to any student comments which is worth 30 points. This was also posted two days late.
I have heard of selena in my spanish class a couple years ago I think. I'm pretty sure we watched the Selena movie the same year. It was during my spanish 1 year I think. I personally think that she shouldn't be able to get out of jail. Murder is awful.
I have heard about her during my spanish class two-ish years ago, but I haven't really listened to any of her songs before. I did watch the 'Selena' movie in class that same year, it was good. I don't think 30 years is enough time in prison for murder, she should have gotten more time.
I have heard of Selena but I haven't listened to many of her songs. I haven't watched the movie, but I plan on watching it in Spanish class this year. I think Yolanda Salvidor deserves more prison time for murdering Selena. I don't think people will react very well when she does get out.
I have heard a few of her songs from Spanish class last year, and we watched the movie as well. I think that Yolanda hetting out of prison is not right because murder typically receives a life sentence. I think that's what Yolanda should have gotten.
I haven't listened to any of her songs to my awareness, however we did learn a bit about her and watched her movie in Spanish class . Her death was a terrible crime, and I think that Yolanda should have a longer sentence. It is intruging to see how people will respond to her release from jail.
I have heard of her and have listened to many of her songs. She was a very great artist and had lots of talent. I have seen the 'Selena' movie, and I enjoyed it. It was a crazy story how she died and I am interested to see what happens when she gets out of prison.
I have heard of her and I have listened to some of her songs. I think she was a very talented singer and her songs are good. I watched the Selena movie when I was in Spanish 1 and I thought it was a really good movie. I think Yolanda should've been given a life sentence for killing Selena.
Yes, I've listened some songs of her, and also I've heard about her case and it's so sad. I have never watched the Selena movie. I think is going to be hard for her and for the people who hate her, I don't know. I want to see what will happen.
Yes, I have listened to her songs since I was a child, because my mother was a big fan of hers and still listens to them on occasion and for obvious reasons I have seen the movie too. Her story seems too sad and unfair to me, in addition to the fact that Yolanda took her away from a man who is still completely in love with Selena, for that reason, if you told me that Yolanda would never get out of prison, I would be too happy.