Abraham Quintanilla Jr., a pivotal figure in the Latin music industry and the devoted father of global superstar Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, has passed away at the age of 86. His son, Abraham “A.B.” Quintanilla III, shared the heartbreaking news on Saturday via Instagram, accompanied by a poignant photograph of his father.
“It’s with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today,” A.B. Quintanilla III announced, marking the end of an era for a family deeply intertwined with the history of Tejano music. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Quintanilla Jr. was not merely the father of a legend; he was a visionary music producer and the architect of Selena’s meteoric rise to fame. Before Selena’s tragic murder in 1995, he was instrumental in propelling Tejano music, a vibrant blend of Tex-Mex sounds, into the mainstream consciousness. In the wake of his daughter’s untimely death, he channeled his grief into an unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting Selena’s enduring legacy.
Reflecting on his daughter’s passing in a 2014 interview with NBC Latino, Quintanilla Jr. expressed the profound pain of losing a child so young. “Death is a very painful thing for a family, and Selena died at such a young age, she didn’t get to live her full life,” he shared. “She was our baby, our youngest one.”
Born in 1939 in Corpus Christi, Texas, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. was a proud second-generation Mexican American. His early passion for music led him to leave high school to join the band Los Dinos. During his service in the Army, he married Marcella Samora in 1963.
The Genesis of a Musical Dynasty
Quintanilla Jr. continued to perform and record with Los Dinos on local labels throughout the late 1960s. He eventually transitioned to a career at Dow Chemical in Lake Jackson, Texas. It was here that he and Marcella began raising their three children: Abraham III (A.B.), born in 1963; Suzette, born in 1967; and the future icon, Selena, born in 1971.
A firm believer in the power of family and music, Quintanilla Jr. ensured his children were immersed in musical education from a young age. His vision was for them to perform together, with Selena at the helm as the lead vocalist. He dedicated countless hours to coaching young Selena, diligently helping her master Spanish-language vocals, a crucial element in her future success.
By the late 1980s, as Selena’s talent began to shine, the band Los Dinos found themselves performing for increasingly larger and more enthusiastic audiences.
A Star Ascends, Then is Tragically Lost
Selena’s 1994 album, “Amor Prohibido,” achieved multiplatinum status, solidifying her position as a dominant force in music. However, on the precipice of achieving even greater mainstream fame, tragedy struck. In 1995, at the age of 23, Selena was fatally shot by the former president of her fan club, a devastating loss that sent shockwaves across the nation and the music world.
Preserving a Cherished Legacy
Following his daughter’s untimely death, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. stepped into the crucial role of managing Selena’s estate and legacy. Deborah Paredez, a professor at Columbia University, noted the profound impact of his stewardship. “Because he (Quintanilla Jr.) controlled Selena’s estate, he has shaped the way her story has been told,” Paredez observed. “The story of Selena that we know is in some ways Abraham’s crafting of her image.”
Quintanilla Jr.’s dedication to his daughter’s memory was evident in his involvement in various projects that brought Selena’s life and music to new generations. He served as an executive producer for the acclaimed 1997 film “Selena,” where his character was memorably portrayed by Edward James Olmos. Later, in 2020, the Netflix series “Selena: The Series” featured Ricardo Chavira in the role of Quintanilla Jr.
In his later years, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. remained actively involved in the music industry, leading Q-Productions, a company dedicated to Latin music. He also continued to oversee the Selena Foundation, an organization committed to supporting underprivileged children, embodying his enduring philanthropic spirit. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Latin music history, leaving behind a legacy of family, artistry, and unwavering devotion.