A.B. Quintanilla
Encyclopedia
Abraham Isaac Quintanilla III (born December 13, 1963) better known as A.B. Quintanilla III or simply A.B. Quintanilla, is an American
songwriter, record producer and musician. He is the older brother of "The Queen of Tejano music" Selena
. Along with Selena, his other sister Suzette, and his father Abraham
, he became a member of Los Dinos
in 1980 which would later include Selena's husband Chris Pérez
as a guitarist. As a member of Los Dinos, A.B. would play bass guitar, produce and write songs for Selena which became successful singles such as "Como La Flor
", "Amor Prohibido
" and "No Me Queda Más
".
, A.B. learned to play the guitar
and bass
. Alongside Selena
, his sister Suzette, and their father, Abraham
, he became a member of the successful band Los Dinos
. A.B. also became Selena's producer. He co-wrote Selena's hit songs like "Como La Flor
" (Like A Flower) and "Amor Prohibido
" (Forbidden Love).
A.B.'s sister, Selena, was murdered on March 31, 1995. He helped produce "Como Te Extraño" (How I Miss You) by Pedro "Pete" Astudillo
, which was written for Selena as well as Astudillo's late grandmother. The song earned Astudillo a Premios Lo Nuestro award for Best Song of the Year in 1996.
A.B. Quintanilla later resurfaced with the Kumbia Kings
, which mixed cumbia
and pop music
. Kumbia Kings went on an international tour, had several CD
releases and participated on such shows as Cristina Saralegui
's El Show de Cristina. Quintanilla also produced for such entertainers as Thalía
, Alicia Villarreal
, Verónica Castro
and Cristian Castro
.
A.B. Quintanilla left Kumbia Kings
in mid-2006 due to a controversy with member Cruz Martínez
. A.B., along with new members and ex-Kumbia Kings Chris Pérez
and Pee Wee
; started the group Kumbia All Starz
in 2006. This new group had hits such as "Chiquilla
", "Parece Que Va A Llover
", and "Speedy Gonzales".
and Suzette Quintanilla.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
songwriter, record producer and musician. He is the older brother of "The Queen of Tejano music" Selena
Selena
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez , known simply as Selena, was a Mexican American singer-songwriter. She was named the "top Latin artist of the '90s" and "Best selling Latin artist of the decade" by Billboard for her fourteen top-ten singles in the Top Latin Songs chart, including seven number-one hits...
. Along with Selena, his other sister Suzette, and his father Abraham
Abraham Quintanilla Jr
Abraham Isaac Quintanilla, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is the father of singer Selena, who was murdered in 1995.-Early life:...
, he became a member of Los Dinos
Selena y Los Dinos
Selena y Los Dinos was the band in which Grammy-Award-winning Tejano music singer Selena performed, until her death on March 31, 1995. Selena fronted the band since 1980, started by her father Abraham Quintanilla, Jr....
in 1980 which would later include Selena's husband Chris Pérez
Chris Perez
Christopher Gilbert "Chris" Pérez is a American guitarist and the widower of "The Queen of Tejano music" Selena. He is currently a guitarist for A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia All Starz since he joined in 2006. Prior to that, Pérez was the lead guitarist for his wife's band Selena y Los Dinos...
as a guitarist. As a member of Los Dinos, A.B. would play bass guitar, produce and write songs for Selena which became successful singles such as "Como La Flor
Como La Flor (song)
"Como La Flor" is a song by Mexican-American singer Selena, from her third studio album, Entre a Mi Mundo . Written and produced by Selena, Abraham Quintanilla III, and Ricky Vela, the song was also produced by Abraham Quintanilla Jr, the track was released as the album's second single. It was...
", "Amor Prohibido
Amor Prohibido (song)
"Amor Prohibido" is a song recorded by American Tejano pop singer Selena for her fifth studio album of the same name . The song was written by Selena, A.B. Quintanilla III and Pete Astudillo and was produced by Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Jorge Alberto Pino, Bebu Silvetti and Gregg Vickers...
" and "No Me Queda Más
No Me Queda Más
"No Me Queda Más" is a song by Mexican-American Tejano pop singer Selena. "No Me Queda Mas" was the third lead single released from her album Amor Prohibido . The song was written and produced by Ricky Vela, A.B. Quintanilla III and Bebu Silvetti...
".
Career
While living in Lake Jackson, TexasLake Jackson, Texas
Lake Jackson is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of a 2006 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city population was 27,614....
, A.B. learned to play the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. Alongside Selena
Selena
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez , known simply as Selena, was a Mexican American singer-songwriter. She was named the "top Latin artist of the '90s" and "Best selling Latin artist of the decade" by Billboard for her fourteen top-ten singles in the Top Latin Songs chart, including seven number-one hits...
, his sister Suzette, and their father, Abraham
Abraham Quintanilla Jr
Abraham Isaac Quintanilla, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is the father of singer Selena, who was murdered in 1995.-Early life:...
, he became a member of the successful band Los Dinos
Selena y Los Dinos
Selena y Los Dinos was the band in which Grammy-Award-winning Tejano music singer Selena performed, until her death on March 31, 1995. Selena fronted the band since 1980, started by her father Abraham Quintanilla, Jr....
. A.B. also became Selena's producer. He co-wrote Selena's hit songs like "Como La Flor
Como La Flor (song)
"Como La Flor" is a song by Mexican-American singer Selena, from her third studio album, Entre a Mi Mundo . Written and produced by Selena, Abraham Quintanilla III, and Ricky Vela, the song was also produced by Abraham Quintanilla Jr, the track was released as the album's second single. It was...
" (Like A Flower) and "Amor Prohibido
Amor Prohibido (song)
"Amor Prohibido" is a song recorded by American Tejano pop singer Selena for her fifth studio album of the same name . The song was written by Selena, A.B. Quintanilla III and Pete Astudillo and was produced by Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Jorge Alberto Pino, Bebu Silvetti and Gregg Vickers...
" (Forbidden Love).
A.B.'s sister, Selena, was murdered on March 31, 1995. He helped produce "Como Te Extraño" (How I Miss You) by Pedro "Pete" Astudillo
Pete Astudillo
Pedro "Pete" Astudillo is a Mexican American songwriter.-Life:Astudillo was one of the leaders of the Tejano music scene, and from an early age followed mariachi and conjunto music. He began his musical career as a backup vocalist for the queen of Tejano, Selena, as a member of Selena y Los Dinos...
, which was written for Selena as well as Astudillo's late grandmother. The song earned Astudillo a Premios Lo Nuestro award for Best Song of the Year in 1996.
A.B. Quintanilla later resurfaced with the Kumbia Kings
Kumbia Kings
Kumbia Kings was a Latin Grammy-winning Mexican cumbia group from Corpus Christi, Texas created by A.B. Quintanilla. Their music encompasses the styles of cumbia , hip hop and R&B. They produce songs in both Spanish and English. The band's producers from the beginning have been A.B. Quintanilla III...
, which mixed cumbia
Cumbia
Cumbia is a music genre popular across Latin America. The cumbia originated in the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where it is associated with an eponymous dance and has since spread as far as Mexico and Argentina...
and pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
. Kumbia Kings went on an international tour, had several CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
releases and participated on such shows as Cristina Saralegui
Cristina Saralegui
Cristina Saralegui is a Cuban American journalist, actress and talk show host of the Spanish-language eponymous show, Cristina. She also has her own fashion line of accessories and comforters for bed and bath....
's El Show de Cristina. Quintanilla also produced for such entertainers as Thalía
Thalía
Ariadna Thalía Sodi Miranda , known simply by the mononym Thalía , is a Mexican singer and actress. She has sold over 40 million albums worldwide...
, Alicia Villarreal
Alicia Villarreal
Alicia Villarreal is a Mexican Latin Grammy award-winning singer.-Biography:...
, Verónica Castro
Verónica Castro
Verónica Castro is a Mexican actress, singer and television host. She is the mother of singer Cristian Castro and filmmaker Michelle Sáinz Castro and the sister of actress Beatriz Castro,and telenovela producer José Alberto Castro....
and Cristian Castro
Cristian Castro
Cristian Castro is a Grammy Award-nominated Mexican pop singer. He is referred to as "Christian Castro" or "Cristian."- Biography :...
.
A.B. Quintanilla left Kumbia Kings
Kumbia Kings
Kumbia Kings was a Latin Grammy-winning Mexican cumbia group from Corpus Christi, Texas created by A.B. Quintanilla. Their music encompasses the styles of cumbia , hip hop and R&B. They produce songs in both Spanish and English. The band's producers from the beginning have been A.B. Quintanilla III...
in mid-2006 due to a controversy with member Cruz Martínez
Cruz Martínez
Cruz Martínez is a Mexican American musician and multi gold and platinum record producer. He is a former member of the Tejano band La Sombra. In 1999 he co-created the cumbia music group Los Kumbia Kings with A.B. Quintanilla. In 2007 he created the band Los Super Reyes...
. A.B., along with new members and ex-Kumbia Kings Chris Pérez
Chris Perez
Christopher Gilbert "Chris" Pérez is a American guitarist and the widower of "The Queen of Tejano music" Selena. He is currently a guitarist for A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia All Starz since he joined in 2006. Prior to that, Pérez was the lead guitarist for his wife's band Selena y Los Dinos...
and Pee Wee
Pee Wee (entertainer)
Irvin Salinas Mártinez better known as Pee Wee, is a Mexican American singer and actor. He is a former singer for the band Kumbia Kings and was a lead singer for Kumbia All Starz, both created by A.B. Quintanilla. In early 2008 he left Kumbia All Starz to become a solo artist...
; started the group Kumbia All Starz
Kumbia All Starz
Kumbia All Starz are a Mexican cumbia music group from Corpus Christi, Texas, created by A.B. Quintanilla. Kumbia All Starz are not to be confused with Los Kumbia Kings although some members are originally from Los Kumbia Kings...
in 2006. This new group had hits such as "Chiquilla
Chiquilla
"Chiquilla" is a song by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia All Starz. It is the first single from their debut studio album Ayer Fue Kumbia Kings, Hoy Es Kumbia All Starz...
", "Parece Que Va A Llover
Parece Que Va A Llover (Kumbia All Starz song)
"Parece Que Va A Llover" is a charanga song composed by the cuban composer Antonio Matas in 1947. It has been covered by many artists including, Los Panchos, Pedro Infante, Beny More, Joe Quijano and Selena....
", and "Speedy Gonzales".
Personal life
A.B. has 8 children (6 boys and 2 girls). He is the oldest of all of his siblings Selena QuintanillaSelena
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez , known simply as Selena, was a Mexican American singer-songwriter. She was named the "top Latin artist of the '90s" and "Best selling Latin artist of the decade" by Billboard for her fourteen top-ten singles in the Top Latin Songs chart, including seven number-one hits...
and Suzette Quintanilla.
Albums with Selena/Selena Y Los Dinos
- Mis Primeras Grabaciones (1984)
- The New Girl in Town (1985)
- AlphaAlpha (Selena album)Alpha is the third album released by Selena Y Los Dinos, the second album from after The New Girl in Town, which was released in 1985. When Selena was beginning to emerge as a star, A.B. III became a songwriter and producer. One of his first songs, "Dame Un Beso" became a moderate success...
(1986) - Muñequito de TrapoMuñequito de TrapoMuñequito de Trapo is the fourth release by Selena y Los Dinos.-Track listing:-Singles released:*A Million to One*Muñequito de Trapo*Enamorada de Tí-Classic Series, Vol. 2:...
(1987) - And the Winner Is...And the Winner Is...And the Winner Is is the fifth album released by Selena Y Los Dinos...
(1987) - PreciosaPreciosa (album)Preciosa is the sixth album released by Selena Y Los Dinos before signing on to EMI Latin. At this point, Selena's albums began selling up to 20,000 copies. During that same year, she was the finalist for "Female Vocalist of the Year" while the song "Terco Corazón" was nominated for "Single of the...
(1988) - Dulce AmorDulce AmorDulce Amor is the seventh and last studio album released by Selena Y Los Dinos before signing on to EMI.-Track listing:-Singles:* Dulce Amor * Qué * Always Mine...
(1988) - SelenaSelena (album)Selena is the eighth studio album by Selena, her debut album under the EMI Latin label.At the time of its release, Selena was already a star on the Tejano market as the recipient of several Tejano Music Awards. This album was presented to a larger audience as the direction that Selena would take as...
(1989) - Ven ConmigoVen Conmigo-2002 bonus tracks:#"No Quiero Saber "#"Enamorada de Tí "# Spoken Liner Notes by the Band and Family: Intro# Spoken Liner Notes by the Band and Family: Ya Ves# Spoken Liner Notes by the Band and Family: Anque No Salga el Sol...
(1990) - Entre a Mi MundoEntre A Mi MundoEntre a mi mundo is the third studio album by American Tejano pop singer Selena. The album was released on May 6, 1992 by EMI Latin, it was re-released as part of the Selena: 20 Years of music collection with bonus tracks and spoken liner notes by Selena's family, friends, and former band. Entre a...
(1992) - Selena Live!Selena Live!"Live!" or "Selena Live!" is a live album by American Tejano pop singer Selena, released on May 4, 1993 by EMI Latin. The album was re-released on September 22, 2002 as part of the Selena: 20 Years of Music collection that included spoken liner notes by her family, friends and her former band...
(1993) - Amor ProhibidoAmor ProhibidoAmor Prohibido is the fifth studio album by American Tejano pop singer Selena. The album was released on March 13, 1994 by EMI Latin. It was re-released on September 24, 2002, as part of the Selena: 20 Years of Music collection, and included music videos and spoken liner notes by her family,...
(1994) - Dreaming of You (1995)
Albums with Kumbia Kings
- Amor, Familia Y RespetoAmor, Familia Y Respeto- Trivia :* "Oh No" was going to be the fifth recorded song by A.B's sister Selena in 1995 in English under the title "Oh No " for her album Dreaming of You but she sadly was killed in the same year. In this album A.B...
(1999) - Shhh!Shhh!-Credits:This information from Allmusic.Personnel*A.B. Quintanilla III: Arranger, vocals, producer, executive producer, mixing*Cruz Martínez: Arranger, programming, producer, engineer, mixing...
(2001) - All Mixed Up: Los RemixesAll Mixed Up: Los RemixesAll Mixed Up: Los Remixes is the first remix album and third album by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia Kings. It was released on October 29, 2002.-Track listing:-Sales and certifications:...
(2002) - 44 (Kumbia Kings album)-Credits:This information from Allmusic.*Elvin F. Torres — Producer, musical direction*Rodney "Cortada" Alejandro — Arranger*Nicolas Barry — Arranger, didjeridu, computers*Frankie J — Arranger*Wil Donovan — Studio assistant*Robert Becker — Viola...
(2003) - Presents Kumbia KingsPresents Kumbia KingsPresents Kumbia Kings is the first compilation album and fifth album by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia Kings. It was released on April 1, 2003. All of the songs in the album are in English. The album includes eight previously released songs and four new songs recorded for the album.-Track listing:...
(2003) - La HistoriaLa Historia (Kumbia Kings album)-Chart performance:-Sales and certifications:...
(2003) - Los Remixes 2.0Los Remixes 2.0Los Remixes 2.0 is the second remix album and seventh album by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia Kings. It was released on April 6, 2004.-Track listing:...
(2004) - FuegoFuego (Kumbia Kings album)Fuego is the fourth studio album and eighth album by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia Kings. It was released on October 5, 2004. A premium edition was released on December 6, 2005.-Standard Edition:-Premium Edition:...
(2004) - Duetos (2005)
- Kumbia Kings LiveKumbia Kings LiveKumbia Kings Live is a live album and tenth album by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia Kings. It was released on April 4, 2006. The concert took place in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. A DVD of the concert was also released. The song "Pachuco" is a studio recording that was released as a single to...
(2006) - Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (Kumbia Kings album)Greatest Hits is the fourth compilation album and eleventh album by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia Kings. It was released on April 3, 2007. A DVD that included the music videos of all the songs was released on September 18, 2007.-Track listing:...
(2007)
Albums with Kumbia All Starz
- Ayer Fue Kumbia Kings, Hoy Es Kumbia All StarzAyer Fue Kumbia Kings, Hoy Es Kumbia All StarzAyer Fue Kumbia Kings, Hoy Es Kumbia All Starz is the debut studio album by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia All Starz. It was released on October 3, 2006. A fan edition called From Kumbia Kings To Kumbia All Starz: Fan Edition was released on October 2, 2007...
(2006) - Planeta KumbiaPlaneta KumbiaPlaneta Kumbia is the second studio album by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia All Starz. It was released on March 4, 2008.-Track listing:-Other Songs Recorded:...
(2008) - La Vida De Un GenioLa Vida De Un GenioLa Vida De Un Genio is the third studio album by A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia All Starz. It was released on July 27, 2010. A deluxe edition was also released on the same day on online music stores. A bonus song called "I'll Be There For You" is only included on the iTunes deluxe...
(2010)
Featured singles
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Somos El Mundo Somos El Mundo "Somos El Mundo 25 Por Haiti" is a 2010 song and charity single recorded by the latin supergroup Artists for Haiti and written by Emilio Estefan and his wife Gloria Estefan... " (Artists for Haiti) |
Non-album single |
| "Que Cante la Vida Que Cante la Vida "Que Cante la Vida" is a song and charity single recorded by the supergroup Artists for Chile in 2010. It is a remake of the 1985 hit song "Que Cante la Vida", which was written and performed by Alberto Plaza... " (Artists for Chile) |
Non-album single |
See also
- SelenaSelenaSelena Quintanilla-Pérez , known simply as Selena, was a Mexican American singer-songwriter. She was named the "top Latin artist of the '90s" and "Best selling Latin artist of the decade" by Billboard for her fourteen top-ten singles in the Top Latin Songs chart, including seven number-one hits...
- Kumbia KingsKumbia KingsKumbia Kings was a Latin Grammy-winning Mexican cumbia group from Corpus Christi, Texas created by A.B. Quintanilla. Their music encompasses the styles of cumbia , hip hop and R&B. They produce songs in both Spanish and English. The band's producers from the beginning have been A.B. Quintanilla III...
- Kumbia All StarzKumbia All StarzKumbia All Starz are a Mexican cumbia music group from Corpus Christi, Texas, created by A.B. Quintanilla. Kumbia All Starz are not to be confused with Los Kumbia Kings although some members are originally from Los Kumbia Kings...
- Selena (film)Selena (film)Selena is a 1997 American biographical drama film about the life and career of the late Tejano music star Selena, a recording artist who was well known in the Mexican-American and Hispanic communities in the United States and Mexico before she was shot to death at the age of twenty-three.The movie...
- Latin American musicLatin American musicLatin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...