Beto Quintanilla
Norberto "Beto" Quintanilla Iracheta was a Mexican singer, songwriter and musician.
Life and career
He was born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Young Beto left school after only a year of secondary education in order to work alongside his father. Some years later, in order to provide for his large family, Beto relocated to Reynosa, Tamaulipas, to work with his uncle on a cattle ranch. Though he had always loved to write songs, musical instruments and education were scarce. Via ranch life, Beto came to know a pair of musicians who played bajo sexto and accordion. Initially writing songs for his new friends, and then songs to be performed by numerous local groups, Quintanilla developed the skills and reputation of a serious musician. He did not sing or record his own material until meeting local record executive Ruben Polanco, who recommended that Quintanilla make the effort despite having had no experience or training in singing.
He died as a result of a heart attack on 18 March 2007. Known by the nickname "El Mero León del Corrido" ("The Lion of the Corrido"), his biggest hits included "El Deportado", "Le Compre La Muerte a mi Hijo", "Raquenel Villanueva", "El gordo Paz", "El Sapo", "Los Pilares de la Carcel", "La Carga Ladeada", "Un Ratoncito Orejon", "El Corrido de Los Zetas", and many more.
Most of his songs were narcocorridos, many of which he composed. He recorded over 20 albums throughout his singing career.[1]