30 years later, Fresno fans didn’t hold back at this Selena tribute

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Prolific cumbia group Cumbia Bass drew fans to Fulton 55 for a celebration of the “Cumbia Queen” Selena Quintanilla where attendees shared messages of love for the late singer and choice words for the woman convicted in her death.

The group hosted its third annual “Cumbia Queen” event just two days short of the 30th anniversary of the late singer’s death.

Cumbia Bass members Hector Bueno and Tony Briseño say that for the past 12 years, their group has worked to revive cumbia in the Central Valley. Briseño says the music is a huge part of their culture and that Selena was integral in bringing the genre to audiences in the United States.

“Selena was the Mexican-American who brought cumbia back into the scene back in the 90s,” Briseño said. “We owe her a lot for doing that. We wouldn’t be here doing this without her making it popular for the Hispanic community in the U.S.”

Briseño and Bueno agree that cumbia was popular in their youth but began fading into the background until Selena rose to prominence with hits including “Como La Flor,” “Amor Prohibido,” and “Si Una Vez.”

Bueno says the “Cumbia Queen” event not only honors Selena but also uplifts other female cumbia artists and unites fans across generations.

Fresno fans from all walks of life packed Fulton 55 on Saturday — showing their love for Selena and speaking out against her convicted killer, Yolanda Saldivar.

Saldivar was recently eligible for parole but was ultimately denied. Fresno fans did not mince words when it came to their feelings on Saldivar’s freedom.

“She needs to stay where she’s at,” Allen Juarez said. “We don’t need people that evil and dark out here.”

Juarez says Selena was ” just awesome” in her inexplicable ability to gain mainstream popularity with Mexican and American audiences, “She was one of the ones that was just gone too soon,” he added.

Young fans Andres Gonzalez, Sayra Vasquez and Jenny Licon say Selena was an icon who inspired them as Mexican-Americans. They also say, as far as they’re concerned, Saldivar can “rot in prison.”

Licon says that Cumbia Bass shows remind her that, despite not being alive during the heyday of cumbia, there are still places where she can celebrate her heritage.

“I love Cumbia Bass,” Licon said. “I love to see, like, the cumbia scene rising up and see a space that’s meant for the younger generation to celebrate their roots as much as the older generation.”