Selena y Los Dinos....

Probably you will groan.....but my first venture into Latin Music was with Selena y Los Dinos back in the early 90s. I cannot remember if it was 'La Caracacha' or 'Bidi bidi bom bom'.  Living in Texas, I was around plenty of Tejano Music.  (Remember the Johnny Canales program)  I enjoyed it and a few songs caught my ear (La Charanga ~ Fandango USA for example)  But nothing kept me there.....til Selena y Los Dinos. 

First, of all it was a different sound.  The lyrics were different.  She was female and with a female drummer too (Suzy)!! And A.B. he looked kind of different.  Not your average Tejano band.  

I enjoyed the new songs.  I enjoyed the traditional songs.....like Toro Relajo and Tu Solo Tu....and it caused me to listen to other artists do their versions.....drawing me deeper into the one aspect of the world of Latin Music.  The music was great points of discussion within families, old and young alike....  I remember fondly Toro Relajo and Tu Solo Tu as my daughters and I would sing it at home and try to belt out a good strong mariachi note without wavering....sometimes with horrible result....but it was great fun.  The big girls would try to dance like Selena......and gasp.....try to dress like her.  I have to tell you some of the outfits in the movie were conservative compared to the real costumes that she designed.....but compared to now.....even that was tame.  hee.

I think my greatest memories was going to see Selena at the Hemisphere in San Antonio.  I cannot adequately describe what a wonderful performer she was.  When you saw her you just knew she was something very special.  I think she was a decent vocalist, but truly the power was in the performance. 

It was truly the saddest day when we learned of her passing.  I worked at a call center at the time.  When she died and the OJ Simpson verdict was read was the only time I had heard the floor silent.  It felt heavy.  It felt like a vacuum. And I believe it was because it was more that then music....it was the experience.

I am happy that despite her passing, A.B. Quintanilla (her brother) has carried on with the Kumbia Kings and other projects.  I think you can still feel the energy there.....

I hear sometimes, what was the big deal about Selena.....  People see the movie....little ones love the movie.....and yet even it cannot capture the feeling.  But I was glad to know that people were able to share in her music and get introduced to A.B. on a grander scale.  And maybe....maybe....find an open door into Musica Latina.......Tejano style.   :)