Legendary Tejano record producer, music engineer and recording artist, Manny Guerra has sadly died at the age of 85. He produced music for the singer Selena, who was tragically shot and killed at the age of 23. The news of the music legend's death was announced on Friday. It comes after a short battle with cancer. His family confirmed the news in a social media post writing: "It is with heavy hearts that we announce, Manny has gone to be with the Lord... Please keep the Guerra family in your prayers and allow them privacy during this time of grief. Psalm 34:18: 'The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.'"

Devastated fans rushed to social media to pay tribute as the news broke. "He was a Tejano legend! And a great influence in our music. My condolences to his family, friends and fans. May he rest in eternal peace," one wrote on Facebook. "Thank you Manny for all the great music productions for many groups in the region. Rest in peace," another added.

A third chimed in: "Here in WA in the 1970s, Manny Guerra was a name we could trust to produce the latest top notch sound in Tejano music. A name associated with Los Classicos, Latin Breed, Royal Jesters and others. Bless you and thank you Sr. Manny Guerra."

A fourth shared: "Rest in peace, Mr. Manny Guerra! Sending prayers, love and hugs to his family friends & all the Tejano musicians that he fostered to stardom! God bless all!"

A fifth penned: "A Tejano Music Giant is now gone. My condolences to his family for this enormous loss. God Bless You Manny."

Meanwhile a sixth posted: "R.I.P. MANNY GUERRA. The Tejano music world lost a GIANT this morning. There are very few people that you can say "Without him, none of this would have happened" and actually mean it. He launched so many careers in Tejano music and created the template and the soundtrack of our culture for DECADES!..."

Manny began his career in the 1960s performing with Sunny and the Sunglows, the San Antonio group that recorded the crossover hit Talk to Me, which reached to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the Cash Box chart in 1963. The band also made numerous appearances on American Bandstand, which at the time was a breakthrough moment for Tejano musicians on mainstream platforms.

Behind the scenes Through Manny Music Inc., AMEN Recording Studios, and GP Productions, he became one of the most prolific producers and engineers in Tejano music history. Tejano, also known as Tex-Mex, is a genre of music from South Texas which blends Mesican heritage with European accordian and polka and American rock. pop and R&B influences.

He produced and developed a long list of iconic artists including Jay Perez, Sunny Ozuna, Augustine Ramirez, Culturas, Joe Bravo and Laura Canales.

He also produced singer Selena Quintanilla who was one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century before she was fatally shot on March 31, 1995, by Yolanda Saldívar, her friend and the former manager of her Selena Etc. boutiques.