Abraham Quintanilla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Abraham Quintanilla
Quintanilla in 2020
Background information
Birth name	Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr.
Born	(1939-02-22)February 22, 1939 Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Died	December 13, 2025(2025-12-13) (aged 86) Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Chicano doo-wop Tejano
Occupation(s)	Guitarist singer songwriter A&R producer music executive
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1956–2025
Labels	Falcon Records, J.W. Fox, Bernal, Epitome

Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr. (February 22, 1939 – December 13, 2025) was an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is best known as the father and manager of the famous Tejano music star, Selena. After Selena's passing on March 31, 1995, Abraham worked hard to protect and share her memory and music with the world. He helped create many projects to keep her legacy alive. Sometimes, there were discussions about how Selena's image was used after her death, but Abraham focused on honoring her memory.

Abraham also became an executive producer for a 1997 movie about Selena's life. He also helped create Selena: The Series (2020–21) on Netflix. In May 2016, Abraham chose his daughter Suzette to lead his Q-Productions studios.

Abraham Quintanilla's Life and Music

Early Years and The Dinos

Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr. was born on February 22, 1939, in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was the first of seven children. Growing up, he experienced a community where Spanish and English were both important. In 1953, his family became Jehovah's Witnesses.

When Abraham was 14, he became very interested in music. He formed a singing group called the Gumdrops. Later, he joined another group called the Dinos in 1957. The Dinos sang popular English songs, especially doo-wop music. They started performing at parties and events. Abraham helped the group realize they could charge for their performances.

The Dinos recorded songs like "So Hard to Tell" and "Give Me One More Chance." These songs became popular on local radio. While touring, the Dinos sometimes faced unfair treatment because they were Mexican-American.

In 1961, Abraham joined the U.S. Army. While serving, he met Marcella Samora, and they married on June 8, 1963. Their son, A.B. Quintanilla, was born soon after. After leaving the Army, Abraham returned to music. The Dinos then started performing Spanish-language music and became known as Los Dinos. They released several albums and became well-known in the Chicano music scene. On June 29, 1967, his daughter Suzette Quintanilla was born. By 1969, Abraham decided to leave the band to focus on his family.

Family, Music, and Selena y Los Dinos

After leaving Los Dinos, Abraham moved his family to Lake Jackson, Texas. He worked at the Dow Chemical Company. On April 16, 1971, his youngest daughter, Selena, was born. Even though he had left his music career, Abraham still loved to sing.

He noticed that Selena had an amazing singing voice. He saw a chance to continue his musical dreams through her. Abraham turned their garage into a practice space. He formed a new band with his children: A.B. played bass, Selena was the lead singer, and Suzette played the drums. At first, the children weren't always excited about practicing, but they soon grew to love playing music together. Their first public performance was at Selena's elementary school.

In 1979, Abraham opened a Mexican restaurant called PapaGayo's. He built a stage so his children could perform for the customers. However, the restaurant closed due to tough economic times in 1981. The family faced financial difficulties and moved back to Corpus Christi. Selena y Los Dinos continued to perform at various events to earn money for the family.

In 1984, Selena y Los Dinos signed with Freddie Records and released their first album, Selena Y Los Dinos. Selena, as a young female singer, faced challenges in the mostly male Tejano music genre. The band later moved to Cara Records and released their second album, The New Girl in Town. This led to their appearance on the Johnny Canales Show.

Selena's Amazing Success

By 1989, Selena had released eight albums on independent labels. Her talent led her to dominate the Tejano Music Awards, starting in 1986. Her performances caught the attention of Jose Behar, who worked for Sony Music Latin. He signed Selena with Capitol/EMI, believing she could become a huge star.

Selena won a Grammy Award in 1993 for "Best Mexican-American Album" for her album Selena Live!.

Her 1994 album, Amor Prohibido, became one of the best-selling Latin albums ever. It sold millions of copies worldwide. Selena's popularity grew rapidly, and she was on her way to recording an English crossover album, which was a big dream for her.

Abraham's Passing

Abraham Quintanilla passed away in Corpus Christi on December 13, 2025, at the age of 86. His son, A.B., shared the news on social media that same day.

Abraham's Legacy and Selena's Memory

On March 31, 1995, Abraham's youngest daughter, Selena, tragically passed away. This was a huge loss for her family and fans around the world.

After Selena's death, Abraham Quintanilla dedicated himself to keeping her memory and music alive. He was involved in creating new albums, documentaries, and other projects about Selena. The Quintanilla family also started The Selena Foundation, a charity that helps children in need. Abraham appeared in many TV shows and specials about Selena. He continued to work in the music and film industries with his company, Q-Productions.

Abraham was an executive producer for the 1997 movie Selena, which told the story of her life. Actor Edward James Olmos played Abraham in the film. He also helped develop Selena: The Series (2020–21) for Netflix. In 2021, Abraham shared his life story in a book called A Father's Dream: My Family's Journey in Music.

Discography

Studio Albums with Los Dinos

Film and TV Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Abraham Quintanilla para niños