Chris Perez
Encyclopedia
Christopher Gilbert "Chris" Pérez (born August 14, 1969) 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
from 1989 to 1995 and A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia Kings
from 2003 to 2006.
in 1988. The Quintanilla family hired him to play in Selena's band and the pair fell in love. At first, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Selena's father and manager, did not approve of their relationship. Eventually, Selena's father fired Pérez from the band. He rejoined Selena y Los Dinos
after he and Selena were married on April 2, 1992 in Nueces County, Texas, when she was 20.
On March 31, 1995, Selena
was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar
, leaving Chris as a widower.
. In this album Pérez dedicated the song, "Best I Can", to his wife, Selena. In 2002, Chris Pérez Band made their final album called Una Noche Más
.
's music group, Los Kumbia Kings
, in 2003. In 2006 however Quintanilla had conflicts with fellow band member Cruz Martínez
and left the Kumbia Kings. Irvin "Pee Wee" Salinas left also and Pérez soon followed. In the summer of 2006, A.B. Quintanilla
started a new band called Kumbia All Starz
, with Pérez as their lead guitarist. In early 2009, Chris Pérez announced he would be forming his own band along with Angel Ferrer. Their debut album titled Fenix is expected to be released sometime in 2010. Pérez no longer continues to perform with Kumbia All Starz
and now has a new band project with Angel Ferrer to be debut sometime in Summer 2011 .
Los Dinos performed together at the Selena ¡VIVE!
tribute concert on April 7, 2005.
Perez remarried but in April 2008, Vanessa Villanueva filed for divorce from Chris Pérez. They have two children, Cassie and Noah.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and the widower of "The Queen of Tejano music
Tejano music
Tejano music or Tex-Mex music is the name given to various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas...
" 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...
. He is currently a guitarist for A.B. Quintanilla III y Los 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...
since he joined in 2006. Prior to that, Pérez was the lead guitarist for his wife's band Selena y 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....
from 1989 to 1995 and A.B. Quintanilla III y Los 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...
from 2003 to 2006.
Early years
Pérez met SelenaSelena
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...
in 1988. The Quintanilla family hired him to play in Selena's band and the pair fell in love. At first, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Selena's father and manager, did not approve of their relationship. Eventually, Selena's father fired Pérez from the band. He rejoined Selena y 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....
after he and Selena were married on April 2, 1992 in Nueces County, Texas, when she was 20.
On March 31, 1995, 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...
was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar
Yolanda Saldívar
Yolanda Saldívar is a Mexican American woman who was convicted in 1995 of the murder of Tejano music singer Selena at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, Texas on March 31, 1995.- Early life :...
, leaving Chris as a widower.
Later years
At the 2000 Grammy Awards his eponymously titled group, Chris Pérez Band, won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album for their album ResurrectionResurrection (Chris Pérez album)
Resurrection is the debut studio album by Chris Pérez Band. It was released on May 18, 1999.-Track listing:...
. In this album Pérez dedicated the song, "Best I Can", to his wife, Selena. In 2002, Chris Pérez Band made their final album called Una Noche Más
Una Noche Más
Una Noche Más is the second studio album by Chris Pérez Band. It was released on April 16, 2002.-Track listing:...
.
Recent
After the Chris Pérez Band disbanded, Pérez joined A.B. QuintanillaA.B. Quintanilla
Abraham Isaac Quintanilla III 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...
's music group, Los 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 2003. In 2006 however Quintanilla had conflicts with fellow band 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...
and left the Kumbia Kings. Irvin "Pee Wee" Salinas left also and Pérez soon followed. In the summer of 2006, A.B. Quintanilla
A.B. Quintanilla
Abraham Isaac Quintanilla III 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...
started a new band called 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...
, with Pérez as their lead guitarist. In early 2009, Chris Pérez announced he would be forming his own band along with Angel Ferrer. Their debut album titled Fenix is expected to be released sometime in 2010. Pérez no longer continues to perform with 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...
and now has a new band project with Angel Ferrer to be debut sometime in Summer 2011 .
Los Dinos performed together at the Selena ¡VIVE!
Selena ¡VIVE!
The tribute concert was followed up with the release of the album of the performance, released on May 10, 2005. Though it did not include many of the songs performed, it does include many of the highlights.-Track listing:# "Tú Sólo Tú" - Ana Gabriel...
tribute concert on April 7, 2005.
Perez remarried but in April 2008, Vanessa Villanueva filed for divorce from Chris Pérez. They have two children, Cassie and Noah.
Albums With Selena/Selena Y Los Dinos
- 1990: 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...
- 1992: 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...
- 1993: 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...
- 1994: 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,...
- 1995: Dreaming of You
- 2001: Live! The Last ConcertLive! The Last Concert-Miscellaneous:* This concert was featured in the film based upon the life of Selena.* The opening scene in Selena is a recreation of the actual "Disco Medley" performance. However, the version of the song used in the film is much shorter....
Albums With Chris Pérez Band
- 1999: ResurrectionResurrection (Chris Pérez album)Resurrection is the debut studio album by Chris Pérez Band. It was released on May 18, 1999.-Track listing:...
- 2002: Una Noche MásUna Noche MásUna Noche Más is the second studio album by Chris Pérez Band. It was released on April 16, 2002.-Track listing:...
Albums With Kumbia Kings
- 2004: 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:...
- 2005: Duetos
- 2006: 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...
- 2007: 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:...
Albums With Kumbia All Starz
- 2006: 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...
- 2008: 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:...
- 2010: 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...
External links
- Chris Pérez Official Website
- Chris Pérez Facebook
- Chris Pérez YouTube
- Chris Pérez Twitter!
- Chris Pérez Bands Twitter
- Chris Pérez at VH1.comVH1VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...