Chris Perez

Chris Perez

Mexican-American guitarist
Date of Birth: 14.08.1969
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Biography of Chris Perez
  2. Marriage to Selena and Tragic Loss
  3. Post-Selena Career
  4. Personal Life

Biography of Chris Perez

Early Life and Career

Chris Perez was born Christopher Gilbert Perez on August 14, 1969, in San Antonio, Texas. His parents were Mexican immigrants. In 1988, Chris met Selena Quintanilla, who was only 17 years old at the time. Two years later, Selena's family, who were heavily involved in the music business, offered Chris a position as a guitarist in the band that accompanied the rising Tejano music star. Chris and Selena fell in love, despite initial disapproval from Selena's father and manager, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., who even had Chris removed from the band.

Chris Perez

Marriage to Selena and Tragic Loss

On April 2, 1992, Chris and 20-year-old Selena secretly got married, and Chris was welcomed back into the band "Selena y Los Dinos" on legitimate grounds. Selena's popularity, and with it the popularity of Tejano music, grew rapidly. Interestingly, Selena, whose native language was English, had to learn Spanish to connect with her audience. However, tragedy struck on March 31, 1995, when Selena was shot in the back by Yolanda Saldivar, the president of her fan club. This left Chris a widower at the age of 25.

Post-Selena Career

In 2000, Chris's band, named after himself, "Chris Perez Band," won a prestigious Grammy Award in the category of "Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album" for their album "Resurrection." One of the album's best songs, "Best I Can," was dedicated to his late wife Selena. In 2002, "Chris Perez Band" released their final album titled "Una Noche Más." After the band disbanded, Chris joined his late wife's brother's group, "Los Kumbia Kings," in 2003. However, in 2006, both Abraham Quintanilla III and Chris left the group due to conflicts. They then started a new project in the summer of 2006 called "Kumbia All Starz."

Personal Life

Despite continuing his music career with "Kumbia All Starz," Chris has announced the creation of a second band. In October 2001, Chris married Vanessa Villanueva, with whom he had two children, but they divorced in April 2008.

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