Pete Astudillo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pete Astudillo
|
|
|---|---|
Pete Astudillo during a concert in Laredo, Texas in 2016.
|
|
| Born |
Pedro Astudillo
December 1, 1963 Laredo, Texas, US
|
| Other names | Peter Astudillo |
| Education |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Parent(s) |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels |
|
Pedro "Pete" Astudillo (born December 1, 1963) is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. He is known as a key person who helped create the famous music style of the singer Selena. Astudillo wrote or helped write some of the most popular Tejano music songs of the 1990s. For his work, he was added to the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in 2019. Billboard magazine has said he made a big impact on Latin music in the United States as a songwriter.
After high school, Astudillo studied music and started a band called Los Bad Boyz with his friend Joe Ojeda. A local DJ discovered them, and in December 1988, they joined the popular band Selena y Los Dinos. In the band, Astudillo sang harmony with Selena and had many other roles. He started writing songs for the group, like "Besitos" (1989), which he wrote with the band's producer, A. B. Quintanilla. This song helped the band explore the cumbia genre.
Astudillo continued to write hit songs for Selena y Los Dinos. He and A.B. wrote "Como la Flor" (1992), which became one of the most famous songs by a Mexican-American artist in the U.S. He also co-wrote the hit songs "Amor Prohibido" and "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" for Selena's album Amor Prohibido (1994). Both songs reached the top of the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.
On March 31, 1995, Selena was tragically shot and killed. This was a very difficult time for Astudillo, as his mother had also passed away the year before. He released the album Como Te Extrano in 1995. The title song was a tribute to both Selena and his mother. The song was very successful, reaching number one on the Regional Mexican Songs chart for ten weeks in a row.
Over the years, Astudillo has released his own albums and started his own record label, Peace Rock Records. He has worked with many artists and continues to write and perform music.
Contents
Life and Career
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Pedro Astudillo was born on December 1, 1963, in Laredo, Texas. His parents, Pedro and Paz Astudillo, were immigrants from Mexico. As a child, Astudillo worked with his family on farms in states like Idaho and Colorado. He said the work was hard but brought his family closer together. He also worked in his family's restaurant.
Astudillo loved music from a young age. He sang in his church choir and started writing poems and songs when he was about ten years old. He never planned to be a singer, but he fell in love with writing lyrics and performing.
After graduating from high school in 1982, he went to Laredo College. He later met Joe Ojeda, and they formed a two-person band called Los Bad Boyz. They had trouble getting hired for big shows. At one of their performances at a flea market, a local DJ discovered them. This led to them opening for the famous band Selena y Los Dinos in 1988.
The band and their manager, Abraham Quintanilla, were impressed. Soon, Astudillo and Ojeda were asked to join Selena y Los Dinos. Astudillo was thrilled, feeling like his dreams were coming true. He became a backup singer, dancer, and songwriter for the group.
Working with Selena y Los Dinos
In 1989, Selena y Los Dinos signed with a new record label, EMI Latin. Astudillo and Ojeda helped with the songwriting and music for the band's first album with the label, Selena. Astudillo discovered he was good at writing songs when he started working with the band's leader, A. B. Quintanilla.
Astudillo co-wrote the song "Besitos" with A.B. This song encouraged the band to make more music in the cumbia style. Their sound became a mix of funk, hip-hop, and cumbia, which was new and exciting. He also sang a duet with Selena called "Amame, Quiereme." It was his first time recording in a professional studio, and he was nervous but did a great job.
For the album Ven Conmigo (1990), Astudillo wrote or co-wrote popular songs like "Baila Esta Cumbia" and "Enamorada de Ti". The album was very successful and stayed on the Billboard charts for a long time. In 2021, the Library of Congress chose the album to be preserved in the United States National Recording Registry because it was so important to music history.
Solo Career and Continued Success
Even while he was in Selena y Los Dinos, Astudillo started a solo career. The band supported him, and he released his first album, Entregate a Mi, in 1992. He formed his own band called Oxygeno, and they would open for Selena y Los Dinos at concerts.
Astudillo stayed loyal to Selena y Los Dinos and continued to write songs for them. He and A.B. wrote "Como la Flor" for the album Entre a Mi Mundo. This song became one of Selena's most famous songs, often called her signature song. He also helped write other hits like "La Carcacha" and "¿Qué Creías?".
In 1994, Astudillo officially left Selena y Los Dinos to focus on his solo career. He continued to write for Selena, co-writing "Amor Prohibido" and "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" for her album Amor Prohibido. These songs were huge hits and made him a very respected songwriter. That same year, he won Songwriter of the Year at the BMI Latin Music Awards.
Como Te Extrano and Later Work
After Selena's tragic death in 1995, Astudillo released his album Como Te Extrano. The title song was a tribute to Selena and his mother, who had passed away the year before. The song was very emotional and became his own signature song. It was number one on the charts for ten weeks. The album sold very well and made him a major star in Tejano music.
In 1997, Astudillo appeared as himself in the movie Selena, which told the story of her life. He also recorded a tribute song called "Vivirás Selena" with other artists for the movie's soundtrack.
He released more albums like Si Tu No Estas (1997) and ¿Dónde Estás Amor? (1999). In 2001, he left his record label to start his own, called Peace Rock Records. This allowed him to release his music independently. In the 2010s, he even started a rock band called Ruido Añejo before returning to Tejano music with his new band, Pete Astudillo y Tekno-Mex.
Musical Style and Legacy
Astudillo's music often has a rhythm that is similar to Selena's style. He mixes international sounds with pop music. He is known for his smooth voice and emotional songwriting. His songs often tell stories from his own life.
He grew up listening to many types of music, from rock and roll to Spanish singers. This mix of influences helped him create a unique sound. His work with Selena was very important. He and A.B. Quintanilla would often work together, with A.B. coming up with an idea and Astudillo helping with the lyrics.
Astudillo is considered one of the most important songwriters in Tejano music. He wrote many of Selena's biggest hits, which helped make her a global superstar. Even though he is often connected to Selena, he has also had a successful career on his own. His ability to write powerful and memorable songs has cemented his place in music history.
Discography
- Entregate a Mi (1992)
- Como Nadie (1993)
- Como Te Extrano (1995)
- Si Tu No Estas (1997)
- ¿Dónde Estás Amor? (1999)
- El Rey del Ritmo (2001)
- Salvación (2013)
