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Fans still dream of Selena
Many recall singer's life, death, mourn her absence

By mike baird Caller Times
March 31, 2005

Many Corpus Christi residents recall exactly where they were when time seemed to stop 10 years ago today - the day the city's Tejano music goddess, Selena Quintanilla-Perez, collapsed from a single gunshot and later died. 

Corina Flores-Hok, then 16, was crying in her bed, drained from emotion after the funeral of her grandmother, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack. But her grief went deeper with the touch of her mother's hand. 

"I was drifting to sleep," Flores-Hok said. 

"My grandmother died the day after my birthday, and it was surreal when my mother woke me to see the TV news about Selena." 

"It made it worse having two deaths to deal with that day," said Flores-Hok, who had danced to Selena's "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" at her recent quinceanera.

In the days that followed the shooting that received worldwide attention, Flores-Hok's family drove by the Days Inn Hotel at 901 Navigation Blvd. where it happened and spent time two houses from Selena's home in Molina with a church friend. 

Like Flores-Hok, hundreds of people were compelled to see the places linked to the singer's life and death. 

Cruz Colomo was heading toward downtown Corpus Christi on the Crosstown Expressway in her 1991 Chrysler when she heard of Selena's death on the radio. Colomo, then 49, was a real estate agent who said she knew Selena personally. She said she had her hair fixed at Selena's salon, and had promoted other Tejano artists in local music circles. 

Without hesitation she spun her car around, fetched her two daughters at home and drove swiftly to the Day's Inn parking lot where she parked across from the pickup sheltering Yolanda Saldivar, the suspected shooter who held a gun to her own head to keep police at bay. 

"I felt compelled to be there," Colomo said. "I had to see it to believe it happened. 

"I was shocked first, then angry," she said. "I remember wanting that woman to shoot herself, and I don't believe in taking life. I wondered why police were catering to her. Here was this older woman, threatening to take her life, maybe she should have, I know it's cold, but it's how I felt at the time." 

Dozens of vehicles wedged into the chaos at the local motel as police struggled to coerce Saldivar into custody. 

"The area filled with people, a lot of children came with their parents," Colomo said. "But the crowd contained itself; they didn't interfere in any way. Everyone went there for one reason, to see for themselves to believe it." 

Nathan Villalobos, 20, remembers the exact moment he learned that his idol was killed. 

Villalobos, who was in the fourth grade at East Elementary in Taft 10 years ago, said he was obsessed with Selena, and was many times sent home with notes from teachers for neglecting his school work while humming and singing Selena's songs in class. His punishment was having her CDs taken from him, which he said was "worse than a beating." 

"We had just came back into the classroom from recess," Villalobos said. "We were working on crossword puzzles when the teacher got a call from her husband." 

The teacher pulled Villalobos aside, knowing his deep fascination with the singer, and told him privately that his parents had something important to tell him when he got home. 

"It hurt a lot," Villalobos said. "I had just gone to one of her concerts at a strawberry festival." 

While there, the singer offered to let some kids in the audience come onto the stage, Villalobos said. 

"I ran as fast as I could to get up there," he said. "But by the time I got to the front, they were saying 'no more kids.' But I was all right as long as I saw her in person." 

To this day Villalobos, a convenience store clerk, drives past Selena's home and gravesite regularly. 

"I pray and wish she was still here," he said. He still listens to her music daily, and has a plaque with her picture on it on the wall above his bed. 

On the nightstand there's a shoebox labeled "Nathan's Box of Everything Selena." 

"I have the People magazine articles and newspaper clippings of her death from day one," Villalobos said. "They're brown and crispy now, I should have had them laminated. 

"I still love her, and that won't wither." 

Contact Mike Baird at 886-3774 or bairdm@caller.com

Friend recalls singer's generosity, sense of humor
Woman moved to Ohio to escape bad memories

By fanny S. Chirinos Caller-Times
March 31, 2005

Gina Benitez said she still can hear her friend Selena Quintanilla-Perez's deep belly laugh even though it has been 10 years since the Tejano star was murdered. 

"Her humor was the No. 1 reason why I became friends with her," Benitez said Wednesday. 

Benitez, who now lives in Dayton, Ohio, said she knew when she met Selena in 1989 that she'd never find another friend like her. Selena's death devastated her and caused her to move from Corpus Christi to escape from the memories of her friend, she said. 

"At first, every day was horrible," Benitez said. "I didn't attend the funeral and I feel I didn't get that closure. I still have bad days every now and then. It's still hard." 

Benitez met Selena when Benitez and her family came to Corpus Christi to visit friends who had moved from Ohio and were friends with the Quintanillas. Benitez moved to Corpus Christi a few months later. 

"Me and Selena immediately became friends," she said. "I felt like I had known her forever. That first day I heard her sing Gloria Estefan's 'Don't Want to Lose You' and she blew me away." 

Benitez said one of her favorite memories happened after the 1992 Tejano Music Awards in a room at the Marriott Hotel in San Antonio. 

"There was about 14 of us and Selena was making us laugh so hard that we got very loud," Benitez said. "Security almost kicked us out." 

Benitez said Selena would fly her to performances and the singer even mentioned her by name while accepting an award at the 1992 Tejano Music Awards. 

"She was always such a good person and always thinking of others," she said. "She was the coolest person. She made everyone feel special. It didn't really matter what we did because we always had laughs. There was always joking amongst us." 

During a trip to Saratoga Bowling Lanes, Selena tried the bungee jump that had been set up in the bowling alley's parking lot, Benitez said. 

"She could do anything. She was fearless," she said. "If she made a mistake, she'd laugh at herself. She was so secure with herself that she could be the best of friends with you." 

Contact Fanny S. Chirinos at 886-3759 or chirinosf@caller.com

picture:

Gina Benitez (right) meets with her friend, singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez,

in San Antonio the day after the 1992 Tejano Music Awards.

Born to be a star
Selena known for her humility

By Cassandra Hinojosa Caller-Times
March 31, 2005

It's almost like Selena Quintanilla-Perez never left us. She continues to sell albums, to be adored by millions and to inspire the young and young at heart. 

She is one of the top five Latin recording artists of all time, even though she was only 23 when she died, according to Nielsen SoundScan. She won the Best Mexican/American Performance Grammy in 1993 for "Selena Live." 

Her crossover album "Dreaming of You," which includes four English tracks, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's album chart four months after her death, making Selena the first Latin artist to achieve the title. 

"Dreaming of You" has since sold nearly 4 million copies to date, said Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla, according to the Associated Press. 

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Selena's death, which is today, EMI Latin has scheduled several releases (CD, DVD and CD/DVD combo) that include "Selena Remembered" that hit stores Jan. 25; "The Last Concert," which went on sale March 15 and "Selena Unforgettable-The Ultimate Collection," a commemorative four disc collector's edition that includes two CDs and two DVDs and will be available April 5. Both CDs became available individually on Tuesday. 

The fourth release will be "Selena Vive!" (CD, DVD and CD/DVD combo) which will document the April 7 Houston tribute concert at Reliant Stadium. The "Selena Vive!" CD will be released May 10 and the CD/DVD combo will be available June 7. 

Selena was the first female artist signed to the EMI Latin record label in 1989, according to Jose Behar, president and CEO of Univision Music Group who was president and CEO of EMI Latin through 2001. 

Behar said Selena possessed "la lagrima," (a teardrop) in her vocal cords because she could evoke such feeling and emotion. 

In addition, Selena accomplished a never-before-heard-of feat by earning the title of Tejano Music Awards "Female Vocalist of the Year" for nine straight years (1989 to 1997). 

"The music gave her access to the masses," said Behar, who said he was in search of the next Gloria Estefan when he signed Selena to EMI Latin. "That was the vehicle by which she was able to reach people. But once she reached those people, the fans through her music, they connected with her beyond her music." 

Radio listeners can still hear Selena songs played on the hour on KSAB 99.9 FM. Her music is on major rotation at Club 98.3 and La Mejor 105.5 (KMJR-FM), according to program director A.C. Cruz. 

Music, interviews 

Club 98.3 will play Selena music from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, and will air interviews from music artists discussing Selena. 

"She always has been (one of the _top requested artists) even today," said Barbi Leo, KSAB on air personality. "She had a rare connection with her audience that carried on through generations. If somebody's aunt or uncle would listen to music the kids would like it." 

Continuing to keep Selena's memory alive, her brother A.B. Quintanilla III presents Kumba Kings recently re-recorded the Selena single "Baila Esta Cumbia" using her voice. The song begins with thanks to Selena fans for keeping her music alive and ends with his personal message to his sister. 

A.B. Quintanilla put together his own tribute to Selena on "Duetos" released on Tuesday which includes re-recorded tracks with Selena as duets. "If I Could Fall In Love" also is included as a duet with Selena. 

The radio stations will hold special Selena memorials that will be broadcast today. KSAB Tejano 99.9, Circle K and KRIS Communications present "Fotos Y Recuerdos" at 6 p.m. at Cole Park that will include a screening of the movie "Selena" at 7:30 p.m. 

Personal appeal

Selena's humility and sincerity helped make her so appealing, Behar said. 

"I think that has everything to do as much as her music with her longevity and everlasting legacy," he said. "She was the same girl you could see at K-mart amongst the masses, and she wasn't at K-mart with three security guards," Behar explained. 

In a recent interview at Q Productions, Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla, described his daughter in this way: "Selena was charismatic. They liked her. I think Selena never saw herself as a star." 

Since her death, the Quintanilla family says they have tried to "keep her memory alive through her music." 

That effort will be highlighted during Univision's "SelenaVive!" Tribute Concert at Houston's Reliant Stadium April 7. Univision will broadcast the event live from 7 to 10 p.m. 

Many of the world's most famous Latin music stars, including Pepe Aguilar, Ana Barbara, Los Dinos, Gloria Estefan, Fey, Ana Gabriel, Alejandra Guzman, A.B. Quintanilla III Presents the Kumbia Kings, Paulina Rubio, Aleks Syntek, Olga Tanon, Thalia, and Alicia Villarreal will pay tribute to the late Tejano queen. 

"It's the biggest concert in the Latin world that has ever united so many top artists in one concert. It's really a history making event," Selena's father said. 

If Selena wasn't yet known in the mainstream market prior to her death, people learned of her achievements in the 76-page "People en Espanol" commemorative May 1995 issue. 

"That kind of opened up the eyes of the American corporations that there was a giant market sitting right in front of them that hadn't been tapped," Quintanilla said. 

And future fans would also learn of her life story in the 1997 movie "Selena." 

"Selena paved the way, not just for women, but for Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Shakira because the Selena phenomena awoke the executives of the multinationals (record labels) and I think it created the awareness and impetus for other multinationals to seek out Latin talent which could cross over," Behar said. 

Recently, during spring break, an average of 200 people a day visited the Selena Museum. 

Kelly Galban, who lives in Austin, visited the museum March 16 with her two children, Hollyn, 9, and Geren, 7, her mother, Glenda Martinez, from El Paso, and local resident and friend Pam Majek. 

Learned through film

Both Galban, who learned of Selena through watching the movie in 1997, and her daughter Hollyn enjoyed viewing the costumes worn by the Queen of Tejano. 

"We have the movie and (Hollyn) watches it all the time," said Galban, whose daughter continues to admire Selena and sing along to "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom. "She hears the Selena name and knows a lot more about her (than other artists)." 

At the 25th annual Tejano Music Awards held March 19 in Eagle Pass, Selena was remembered during a tribute that included clips of her performances and award speeches. 

"Her demise just helped Tejano be recognized at a higher level," said Robert Arellano, board president of the Tejano Music Awards. 

Arellano sees Selena's music continue to live, just as that of other music legends Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin. 

"We need more females in the industry," Arellano said. "We have some great great talent, but nobody has achieved the Tejano star power that Selena achieved." 

Contact Cassandra Hinojosa at _886-3617 or hinojosac@caller.com

pictures:

Selena (left) with her father Abraham Quintanilla and sister Suzette

Selena at 15

Selena and Chris Perez wed in 1992

Unforgettable songs
The most requested Selena singles on KSAB 99.9 FM
1. Fotos y Recuerdos 
2. Baila esta Cumbia (re-recorded duet with A.B. Quintanilla) 
3. La Carcacha 
4. Como La Flor 
5. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom 
6. Selena Re-Mix 
7. Dreaming Of You 
8. No Me Queda Mas 
9. El Chico Del Apartamento 512 
10. Ya Vez 

Source: Brett A. Stenner, market promotions manager for Clearchannel Radio and KSAB 99.9 FM. 

Selena’s Discography

Early Recordings & Releases
"Mis Primeras Grabaciones," 1984 (Freddie Records) 
"Muñequito de Trapo," 1986 (Manny Records) "Alpha," 1986 
"Female vocalist of the Year/And the Winner Is ?," 1987 (Manny Records) 
"Dulce Amor," 1988 (Manny Records) 
"Preciosa," 1988 (Manny Records) 

Original Recordings & Releases with EMI Latin
"Selena" (1989) 
"Ven Conmigo" (1990) 
"Entre A Mi Mundo" (1992) 
"Live" (1993) 
"Amor Prohibido" (1994) 
"Dreaming of You" (1995) 

Compilations & Re-Issues with EMI Latin
"Mis Primeros Exitos (1990) 
"Mis Mejores Canciones — 17 Super Exitos" (1993) 
"Las Reinas Del Pueblo" (also featuring Graciela Beltran) (1995) 
"Live" (1995) 
"Amor Prohibido" (1995) 
"12 Super Exitos" (1995) 
"Dreaming of You" (1995) 
"Exitos Y Recuerdos" (1996) 
"Siempre Selena" (1996) 
"Selena" (movie soundtrack) (1997) 
"Selena Remembered" (Documentary - VHS only) (1997) 
"Anthology" (1998) 
"All My Hits/Todos Mis Exitos" (1999) 
"All My Hits/Todos Mis Exitos 2" (2000) 
"Live - The Last Concert" (2001) 
"Entre A Mi Mundo" (2002) 
"Mis Primeros Exitos" (2002) 
"Selena" (2002) 
"Live" (2002) 
"Ven Conmigo" (2002) 
"Dreaming of You" (2002) 
"Selena" (movie soundtrack) (2002) 
"Live - The Last Concert" (2002) 
"Amor Prohibido" (2002) 
"Ones" (2002) 
"Greatest Hits" (2003) 
"Selena Y Sus Inicios Vol. 1" (Vene Music) (2003) 
"Selena Y Sus Inicios Vol. 2" (Vene Music) (2004) 
"Momentos Intimos" (2004) 
"Selena Y Sus Inicios Vol. 3" (Vene Music) (2004) 
"Selena Y Sus Inicios Vol. 4" (Vene Music) (2004) 
"Selena Remembered" (Documentary) (2005) 
"The Last Concert" (2005) 
"Unforgettable, The Studio Album" (2005) 
"Unforgettable, The Live Album" (2005) 
"Unforgettable" (2-CDs) (2005) 
"Unforgettable, The Ultimate Collection" (4 Discs: 2-CDs/2-DVDs) (2005) 
"Selena Vive!" (CD only) (2005) 
"Selena Vive!" (CD&DVD Combo) (2005)
Sources: EMI Latin and Caller-Times Information Services