Selena Quintanilla's father Abraham Quintanilla Jr. dies at 86
Selena QuintanillaThe family says goodbye to their beloved patriarch.
Father of the late Tejano music icon Abraham Quintanilla Jr.who played an important role in the formation of his children's group Selena and dinosaursdied December 13. He was 86 years old.
son of Abraham Abraham “AB” Quintanilla III confirmed the news about Instagramwriting next to a photo of his father: “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you guys that my father passed away today…”
Further details about his death, including the cause of death, have not been released.
Abraham was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and pursued a musical career in a singing group. Dinosaursalthough he left the group in the late 1960s to raise a family with his wife. Marcella Quintanilla. After discovering his daughter's singing ability, he encouraged his children to pursue music together – despite their initial reluctance – with AB on bass, Selena on vocals and Suzette Quintanilla on the drums.
As Selena y Los Dinos' popularity grew in the Latin music world, Abraham continued to act as the group's manager, playing a key role in decision-making and creative direction until Selena was shot and killed in 1995, at which point the group disbanded.
