This page is for the real person. For the dramatization/character in the Netflix series, see Pete Astudillo/Netflix series.
Pete Astudillo is a song-writer and back-up vocalist for Selena.
Biography[]
Personal Life[]
Pete Astudillo was born on December 1, 1963, to mother Paz Astudillo and father Pedro Astudillo. He was one of the leaders of the Tejano music scene, and from an early age followed mariachi and conjunto music.
Career[]
He began his musical career as a backup vocalist for Selena, as a member of Selena y Los Dinos. Astudillo also sang two duets with her—1989's "Amame, Quiereme" and 1992's "Siempre Estoy Pensando en Ti", both of which were nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards. He co-wrote some of Selena's number one hits such as "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom", "Amor Prohibido", and the BMI award-winners "La Carcacha", "Qué Creias", and "Como la Flor." Astudillo also wrote the song "Estúpido Romántico" that was sung and made popular by Grupo Mazz.
As his collaboration with Selena flourished, Astudillo developed as a solo artist as well. In 1992, his debut album Entregate a Mi, which included six songs written by him, was released on EMI Latin. 1993 also saw Astudillo nominated for Male Vocalist and Best Single at the Tejano Music Awards. Also in 1993, he released his next album entitled Como Nadie. This album also had the same winning formula. He left Selena y los Dinos in 1993, but continued to write Selena's songs, particularly for her fourth studio album, Amor Prohibido.
In 1995 after Selena's death, by which Pete was incredibly devastated, he released his third album Cómo te Extraño, which included his Lo Nuestro award-winning song by the very same name. This song was dedicated to Selena, as well as his mother, Paz Astudillo who he had lost the previous year. Astudillo is most well known for this song, which he co-wrote with A.B. Quintanilla.
In 2005, his Greatest Hits album was released under the Univision label. He re-united with the original Dinos from Selena y Los Dinos for a historic massive tribute concert in honor of the slain superstar, on April 7, 2005, at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. They performed "Como La Flor," as sung by Selena in her famed 1995 Astrodome concert, which over 64,000 fans attended.
Portrayals in Media[]
1997 Selena Film[]
In 1997, Warner Bros. released the biopic film, Selena, telling her life story. Astudillo played himself in the movie. During this same year, Astudillo released his fourth album entitled Si Tu No Estas featuring the single by the album name. 1999 gave birth to his fifth and last studio album to date, Donde Estas Amor.
2020 Netflix Series[]
Julio Macias portrays Pete in the 2020 Netflix series, Selena: The Series.