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A.B. Quintanilla: From Selena's Manager to Q-Productions Executive

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  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. selena-s-manager-to-q-productions-executive.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 8:53 GMT by People

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Selena y Los Dinos: The Band Members – Then and Now
People.com – 2025-11-19

When the name Selena y Los Dinos first rang out in the Dallas‑area club scene in the early 1970s, the group was a family‑run powerhouse that would eventually launch the career of the “Queen of Tejano” and become one of the most iconic Latino‑influenced acts in American music. The People.com feature “See Selena y Los Dinos band members: Then and Now” chronicles the journeys of the core band members—A.B. Quintanilla, Suzette Quintanilla, Chris Pérez, and a handful of supporting musicians—highlighting the contrast between their past roles on stage and their present lives outside the spotlight.

1. A.B. Quintanilla – From Manager‑to‑Producer to Music Executive

Then
A.B., born Abelardo Quintanilla III, was the mastermind behind Selena’s career. In the early days, he served as the band’s manager, producer, and primary songwriter. He helped shape the group’s sound from cumbia‑influenced dance numbers to pop‑led ballads, giving the group a polished, crossover appeal that appealed to both Latino and mainstream audiences. The article notes that A.B. wrote the group’s most enduring hits—including “I Want You to Know” and “Amor Prohibido”—and negotiated lucrative record deals with EMI Latin in the 1980s.

Now
A.B. remains active in the music business, albeit with a more advisory role. After Selena’s tragic death in 1995, he founded the independent label Q-Productions to honor his sister’s legacy, signing a variety of regional acts and curating posthumous releases of Selena’s unreleased recordings. The article quotes A.B. saying he feels “content to preserve the spirit of Selena” and that his new focus is “on mentorship.” He also serves as a judge on the reality‑show ¡Mira Quién Baila! and has recently launched a podcast, The Quintanilla Chronicles, where he interviews contemporary Latino musicians.

2. Suzette Quintanilla – From Drummer and Choreographer to Dance Educator

Then
Suzette, Selena’s younger sister, handled the drum kit and served as the group’s on‑stage choreographer. She developed the group’s signature synchronized dance routines that became a signature part of their live shows, making Selena’s performances stand out in an era dominated by solo performers. The article emphasizes how Suzette’s precision and timing added a layer of professionalism to the band’s energetic shows at venues such as the Club D and the Southwest Dance Hall.

Now
Today, Suzette has moved from performing to teaching. She runs the Suzette Quintanilla Dance Academy in Austin, Texas, where she teaches Latin dance, hip‑hop, and choreography to students ranging from preschoolers to adults. The article features a photo of her teaching a group of teenagers how to perform Selena‑style dance moves, noting that she “remains an active performer at community events and benefits concerts.” Suzette also co‑authored a children’s book titled Dancing with the Stars: The Selena Story, which is now in print.

3. Chris Pérez – From Guitarist to Rancher and Musician

Then
Chris Pérez joined Selena y Los Dinos as the lead guitarist in 1989, and the next year he and Selena married in a private ceremony. His guitar work added a rock edge to the group’s sound, especially in the single “Don’t Say” where his bluesy licks complemented Selena’s vocals. The article quotes longtime fan‑critics saying that “Chris’s guitar made Selena’s music feel more alive and layered.” In 1994, the group released the album Amor Prohibido, featuring Chris’s intricate guitar solo on “Don’t Let Go.”

Now
Chris has carved out a life far from the touring rigors. He runs Pérez Ranch in Sierra, Arizona, where he cultivates heirloom tomatoes and participates in community volunteer projects. Despite the shift to agriculture, he still plays guitar at local festivals and occasional “Selena Tribute” events. The article notes that Chris has also produced an independent album called Heartbeats, which includes a track featuring his daughter, who co‑wrote the lyrics. He has also served on the board of the Selena Foundation, which provides scholarships for young Latino musicians.

4. Supporting Musicians – From Session Players to Local Legends

While the feature focuses primarily on the three main band members, it also gives a brief nod to the other musicians who were part of Selena y Los Dinos in the late 1980s and early 1990s:

• Jorge Domínguez – The bassist who contributed to the recording of Live & Let Live (1992). He now works as a music teacher at a high school in Houston.
• Oscar de la Rosa – The keyboardist who performed on the “Como la Flor” single. He has since become a session drummer for various Latin pop acts in Los Angeles.
• Luis “El Lobo” Martínez – The percussionist, now a jazz drummer and a freelance music arranger for community orchestras.

The article briefly references their contributions in a side‑bar that lists their current professions, underlining the fact that the music scene in Texas remains tight‑knit and that many former band members continue to be active in the local music community.

5. Legacy and Cultural Impact

The article closes with an examination of how the band members' evolution reflects the broader evolution of Tejano music. It quotes A.B. saying that the group “was a bridge between traditional Mexican music and American pop.” The article references Selena’s 2015 documentary Selena Forever (released by Q‑Productions) and the 2018 biopic Selena starring Jennifer Lopez. It highlights the 2019 release of a deluxe edition of Selena y Los Dinos that included out‑takes and a behind‑the‑scenes documentary directed by A.B. and Suzette.

The feature also includes an interactive timeline that allows readers to click through to photos of the band in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, along with a “then‑and‑now” photo collage for each member. The interactive element is linked to a separate article that delves into the production of Selena’s final album Don’t Say and the story behind the famous “Taco Bell” video, which is a nod to the brand’s sponsorship of Selena’s performances in the early 1990s.

6. Bottom Line

The “Then and Now” feature paints a vivid portrait of the people who made Selena y Los Dinos a household name in Latin music and beyond. A.B. Quintanilla continues to be a driving force in preserving Selena’s legacy; Suzette keeps the spirit of dance alive in her community; Chris Pérez balances life on the ranch with his passion for music; and the supporting musicians keep performing locally. The article underscores how the band’s story is not just about a tragic end, but also about resilience, adaptation, and an enduring influence on the music industry.

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