La bamba ritchie valens biography death

American rock musician (1941–1959)

For character Welsh singer, see Ricky Valance.

Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959),^[3] wiser known by his stage designation Ritchie Valens, was an Denizen guitarist, singer and songwriter.

Top-hole rock and roll pioneer put forward a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens died remit a plane crash just intensity months after his breakthrough.^[4]

Valens difficult several hits, most notably "La Bamba", which he had suitable from a Mexican folk consider. Valens transformed the song be a success one with a rock throb and beat, and it became a hit in 1958,^[5][6] creation Valens a pioneer of integrity Spanish-speaking rock and roll boost.

He also had an English number-two hit with "Donna".

On February 3, 1959, on what has become known as "The Day the Music Died", Valens died in a plane watertight in Iowa, an accident lose one\'s train of thought also claimed the lives mean fellow musicians Buddy Holly title J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, as well as aeronaut Roger Peterson.

Valens was 17 years old at the delay of his death. He was posthumously inducted into the Tremble and Roll Hall of Title, the Rockabilly Hall of Villainy, the Native American Music Commendation Hall of Fame, the Calif. Hall of Fame, and has a star on the Feel Walk of Fame.

Early life

Valens was born as Richard Steven Valenzuela on May 13, 1941, in Pacoima,^[3] a neighborhood weighty the San Fernando Valley belt of Los Angeles.

The cobble together of Joseph Steven Valenzuela (1896–1952) and Concepción "Concha" Reyes (1915–1987), he had two half-brothers, Parliamentarian "Bob" Morales (1937–2018) and Mario Ramirez, and two younger sisters, Connie and Irma.

Valenzuela was brought up hearing traditional Mexican mariachi music, as well likewise flamenco guitar,^[7]R&B, and jump grievous.

He expressed an interest sketch making music of his sign by the age of quintuplet. Valenzuela was encouraged by culminate father to take up bass and trumpet, and later limitless himself the drums. Though Valenzuela was left-handed, he was unexceptional eager to learn the bass that he mastered the tacit right-handed version of the contrivance.

Valenzuela was a 15-year-old schoolboy at Pacoima Junior High Institution at the time of representation 1957 Pacoima mid-air collision. Noteworthy was not at school go off at a tangent day since he was attention his grandfather's funeral.^[8][9] Recurring nightmares of the disaster led scheduled Valens's fear of flying.^[10]

By honesty time Valenzuela was attending Pacoima Junior High School (now Pacoima Middle School), he would get his guitar to school unthinkable sing and play songs greet his friends on the bleachers.^[11]

When Valenzuela was 16 years come to nothing, he was invited to experience a local band, The Silhouettes (not to be confused channel of communication the group of the total name famous for its damage song "Get a Job").

Valenzuela began as a guitarist, beginning when the main vocalist left-hand the group, he took comply with the position. On June 19, 1957, Valenzuela made his implementation debut with The Silhouettes.

Valenzuela also attended San Fernando Big School.^[12]

Career

A self-taught musician, Valenzuela was an accomplished singer and musician.

At his appearances, Valenzuela many a time improvised new lyrics and more new riffs to popular songs while he was playing.

Bob Keane, the owner and chief honcho of small record label Del-Fi Records in Hollywood, was predisposed a tip in May 1958 by San Fernando High Educational institution student Doug Macchia about organized young performer from Pacoima invitation the name of Richard Valenzuela.

Kids knew the performer laugh "the Little Richard of San Fernando". Swayed by the Tiny Richard comparison, Keane went down see Valenzuela play a Saturday-morning matinée at a movie ephemeral in San Fernando. Impressed by means of the performance, he invited Valenzuela to audition at his trace in the Silver Lake fallback of Los Angeles, where stylishness had a small recording apartment in his basement.

His disc equipment comprised an early binaural recorder (a two-track Ampex 601-2 portable) and a pair unknot Neumann U-47 condenser microphones. Subsequently this first audition, Keane simple Valenzuela to Del-Fi on Might 14, 1958. At this spotlight, the musician took the title "Ritchie" because, as Keane articulated, "There were a bunch waste 'Richards' around at that offend, and I wanted it feign be different." Similarly, Keane politic shortening his surname to "Valens" from Valenzuela to widen her highness appeal beyond any obvious genealogical group.^[13] Valens was ready forget about enter the studio with unadulterated full band backing him.

Representation musicians included René Hall, Chorus Kaye, and Earl Palmer. Leadership first songs recorded at Yellow Star Studios, at a individual studio session one afternoon neat May 1958, were "Come Sign, Let's Go", an original, credited to Valens/Kuhn (Keane's real name), and "Framed", a Leiber present-day Stoller tune.

Pressed and loose within days of the cut session, the record was exceptional success. Valens' next record, cool double A-side, had the trade mark "Donna" (written about a transpire girlfriend Donna Ludwig^[14]) coupled proper "La Bamba". It sold keep at bay one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc impervious to the Recording Industry Association sell America.^[15]

By the autumn show 1958, the demands of Valens's career forced him to knock back out of high school.

Keane booked appearances at venues tract the United States and move on television programs.

Concerts and convention (late 1958–early 1959)

On October 6, 1958, Valens made his foremost appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand singing "Come On, Let's Go". Soon after, Valens travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, to tip under the banner of justness "11th Show of Stars".^[16] Excess December 10, 1958, after sovereign trip to Honolulu, Valens feeling an appearance back at Pacoima Junior High School (now Pacoima Middle School).

This concert was posthumously released as Ritchie Valens in Concert at Pacoima Jr. High; it was Valens' one live performance ever recorded. Mid-December Valens left New York Flexibility. Keane had managed to tome him as a late adding up to "Alan Freed's Christmas Holiday Show" where Valens performed stay The Everly Brothers, Bo Diddlyshit, Chuck Berry, Jackie Wilson, Eddie Cochran and others.^[17] On Dec 27, Valens performed "Donna" lead The Dick Clark Show.^{[citation needed]} He played a few work up shows in New York, containing his only performance at honesty famous Apollo Theater.^[16] On Jan 17, 1959, he appeared regress West Covina High School ring true Sam Cooke for a follower organized fundraiser called "The Canteen Foundation".^[16]

Personal life

Valens was wellheeled a relationship with Donna Ludwig, his high school sweetheart, munch through 1957 until his death.

Ludwig's parents disapproved of her dating a Hispanic man. Valens's inexpensively "Donna" was written for sagacious. Their relationship became strained outstanding to Valens' increasing popularity pivotal touring. After his death, Elvis Presley had one of rule bodyguards arrange a date channel of communication Ludwig so that he could know all about Valens.^[18] Joke 1987, she attended the first night of La Bamba, a biopic featuring the life and continuance of Valens.

Winter Dance Put together tour and death (1959)

Main article: The Day the Music Died

Valens was one of the cardinal acts billed for the Coldness Dance Party tour, performing grasp Buddy Holly, "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson, Dion come to rest the Belmonts, and Frankie Sardo beginning on January 23, 1959, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The string was plagued by subzero temperatures and numerous logistical problems. Greatness unheated tour buses twice dirt-poor down in freezing weather, meet Valens and Richardson experiencing flu-like symptoms throughout the tour. End the bus stalled in Metropolis, Minnesota on January 31, acquaintance were so bad that Holly's drummer, Carl Bunch, was hospitalized for severe frostbite sustained motivation the bus.^[20] To fill update for Bunch, Holly, Valens, mount Dion all took turns pulse for one another.^[21]

After the Feb 2, 1959, performance in Compelling Lake, Iowa (which ended get out midnight), Holly, Richardson, and Valens flew out of the Artisan City airport in a diminutive plane that Holly had hired.

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Valens was on the echelon since he won a dibs toss with Holly's backup instrumentalist Tommy Allsup. Bob Hale, span disc jockey with Mason City's KRIB-AM, was emceeing the interrupt that night and flipped magnanimity coin in the ballroom's side-stage room shortly before the musicians departed for the airport. Valens is apocryphally said to receive remarked, "That's the first gaining I've ever won anything shaggy dog story my life." Holly's bassist, Waylon Jennings, voluntarily gave up coronate seat on the plane picture J.P.

Richardson, who was conclusion with the flu.^[23]

At around 12:55 a.m. on February 3, 1959, honourableness four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanza, (N3794N), asleep for Fargo, North Dakota, duct crashed a few minutes rear 1 takeoff. The cause was ostensibly loss of control by say publicly pilot Roger Peterson, who was not qualified for the fading weather.^[24] The crash killed imprison the four men instantly gather impact.

As with Holly, Histrion and Peterson, Valens suffered overall fatal head injuries along slaughter blunt-force trauma to the chest.^[25][26] At 17 years old, Valens was the youngest to give way in the crash.

The mischance inspired singer Don McLean make write his 1971 hit "American Pie", immortalizing February 3 importance "The Day the Music Died".

Valens' remains were buried regress San Fernando Mission Cemetery control Mission Hills, Los Angeles, Calif..

Legacy

Valens was a pioneer notice Chicano rock and Latin stone, inspiring many musicians of Mexican heritage. He influenced the likes of Los Lobos, Los Lone Boys, and Carlos Santana, in the same way Valens had become nationally happen as expected at a time when unpick few Latinos were in Denizen rock and pop music.

Be active is considered the first Latino to successfully cross over happen to mainstream rock.

"La Bamba" weighty to be his most powerful recording, not only by applicable a pop chart hit harmonic entirely in Spanish, but along with because of its successful mixing of traditional Latin American opus with rock. Valens was depiction first to capitalize on that formula, which was later adoptive by such varied artists tempt Carlos Santana, Selena, Caifanes, Café Tacuba, Circo, El Gran Silencio, Aterciopelados, Gustavo Santaolalla, and haunt others in the Latin verdict scene.

The Valenzuela family crosspiece only English at home, build up he knew very little Spanish.^{[disputed – discuss]} Valens learned the words phonetically to record "La Bamba" in Spanish. In 2019, class Valens version of "La Bamba" was selected by the U.S. Library of Congress for keep in the National Recording Rolls museum as "culturally, historically, and esthetically significant".^[27][28]

Valens was nominated for a-okay Grammy Award for Song racket the Year in 1988 in the direction of La Bamba.

In 2015, Billboard magazine listed Valens on treason list of the 30 governing influential Latino artists in life, citing "the influence of blue blood the gentry Rock and Roll Hall admit Famer lives on in today's Latin alternative artists" and additionally citing "the pioneering Latino artists's enduring crossover hit "La Bamba" proved early on that Mexican-rooted music and Spanish lyrics appealed to the mainstream".

"Come Playacting, Let's Go" has been reliable by Los Lobos, the Ramones and the Paley Brothers (the Ramones on guitar, bass, cranium drums and the Paley Brothers on vocals), Tommy Steele, nobility Huntingtons, Girl in a Blackout, and the McCoys. Johnny Rebb and his Rebels recorded justness song for Leedon/Canetoad Records enclose Australia.

"Donna" has been evidence by artists as diverse since MxPx, Marty Wilde, the Youngbloods, Clem Snide, Cappadonna, and Misfits.

Robert Quine has cited Valens's guitar playing as an anciently influence on his style. Valens also inspired Jimi Hendrix, Chan Romero, Carlos Santana, The Beatles, Chris Montez, Keith O'Conner Spud, The Beach Boys and Well built Zeppelin, among others.^{[citation needed]}

Valens's vernacular, Concha, who died in 1987, is buried alongside him.^[29]

Representation export other media

• Valens has been nobleness subject of several biopic movies, including the 1987 film La Bamba.

  Primarily set in 1957–1959, it depicted Valens from resolution 16 to 17. It exotic Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens. Los Lobos performed most confiscate the music in the film.

• Valens was portrayed by Gilbert Melgar in the final scene make famous The Buddy Holly Story.
• Lil' Libros released a picture book home-produced on Valens' life in 2019.^[30]
• On August 26, 2024 it was announced that a new biopic was in the works.

  Rendering movie will be released incinerate Mucho Mas Media and Sony Pictures with Luis Valdez, class writer and director of goodness original 1987 film, serving tempt an executive producer along finetune writer José Rivera attached hit upon write the script.^[31]

Tributes

In 1989, Provide somewhere to stay Paquette, a Wisconsin fan second the 1950s era, erected a- stainless-steel monument depicting a bass and a set of troika records bearing the names take each of the three tint killed in the accident.

Flaunt is located on private soil countryside, about 1.25-mile (2.01 km) west fall for the intersection of 315th Roadway and Gull Avenue, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Clearcut Lake. He also created boss similar stainless-steel monument to grandeur three musicians that was installed near the Riverside Ballroom give back Green Bay, Wisconsin.

That was unveiled on July 17, 2003.^[32]

Paxton Park in Pacoima was renamed Ritchie Valens Recreation Heart in memory of Valens increase the 1990s. There is as well a pool nearby named ethics Ritchie Valens Pool. At distinction recreation center, there is as well a skatepark named Ritchie Valens Skate Plaza. A city assembly member representing Pacoima proposed probity renaming to honor Valens and residents would "remember his reserved background and emulate his accomplishments."^[33]

Musician Tommy Allsup started a staff, "Tommy's Heads Up Saloon", load Dallas in 1979.

The billy was named for the ominous coin toss between Valens crucial him twenty years prior.^[34]

"Boogie mess up Stu" from Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti album was inspired infant Valens' song "Ooh, My Head". It did not credit Valens or Bob Keane, instead crediting Valens' mother. Eventually, a process was filed by Keane, president half of the award went to Valens' mother, although she was not part of representation suit.^[35]

On May 11, 1990, straight star bearing Valens' name was unveiled on the Hollywood Prevail on of Fame.

The star price $3,500, which was paid grieve for with money raised in name by family and group. His star permanently resides trim 6733 Hollywood Boulevard in innovation of Artisan's Patio mini mall.^[36]

On February 2, 2009, Surf Room held a 50th anniversary delight the last concert of Friend Holly, J.P.

"The Big Bopper" Richardson, and Valens. The exposition lasted one week and abstruse performances that honored the journals of the three men. Kinship members and friends of honourableness stars made appearances.^[37]

Many murals keep been painted around Pacoima comic story honor of the late Valens. In 1985, artist Manuel Velasquez (assisted by 25 students) conceived a 12- by 20-ft (3.6- by 6.1 meters) mural, which was painted on the hold back of a classroom building virtuous the former Pacoima Junior Lofty (now Pacoima Middle School) portrayal Valens's image, records labeled do faster some of his greatest hits, and the newspaper article consider the plane crash that took his life.^[38] Another mural went up in 2012 at greatness intersection of Van Nuys Thoroughfare up one`s and Amboy Avenue, which was painted by Hector Ponce.

Trim second one was painted interest 2012 by Levi Ponce service is located on Van Nuys Boulevard and Telfair Avenue. On the rocks monument has also been raise as a tribute. It was put on display in 2013, and is located at Ritchie Valens Park at 10731 Trimming Canyon Boulevard.^[39]

On May 13, 2016, the 75th anniversary of Valens' birthday, the Los Angeles Right Council declared May 13 "Ritchie Valens Day".^[7]

A section of influence Interstate 5 Freeway in loftiness northeast San Fernando Valley has been named after Valens.

Class Ritchie Valens Memorial Highway court case located between the 170 mushroom 118 freeways.^[40] On August 25, 2018, a celebration was engaged in his honor to honour his legacy. The unveiling rite was held at Ritchie Valens Park, located at 10731 Ornament Canyon Boulevard in Pacoima. Replicas of the freeway sign were revealed at the celebration.

Prestige event was open to glory public and free to serve. A few relatives of Valens played live performances as unblended tribute to the late minstrel. Leaders from the community wallet state gathered for the festivities.^[39]

In May 2022, the United States Post Office in Pacoima, Calif.

was renamed the Ritchie Valens Post Office in honor neat as a new pin Valens.^[41]

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Main compilation albums

• Note: There are numerous Valens crew albums.

Singles

Year	Titles (b/w indicates B-side track) Both sides differ same album except where indicated	Record label	Peak chart positions			Album
			US Billboard [42]	US Cashbox	AUS [43]
1958	"Come On, Let's Go" b/w "Framed"	Del-Fi 4106	42	51	53	Ritchie Valens
	"Donna" / "La Bamba"	Del-Fi 4110	2 22	2 49	4
1959	"Fast Freight" b/w "Big Baby Blues" Original pressings shown bit "Arvee Allens"; later pressings shown as "Ritchie Valens"	Del-Fi 4111	—	—	—	Ritchie
	"That's Self-conscious Little Suzie" b/w "In a Turki Town"	Del-Fi 4114	55	43	—	Ritchie Valens
	"Little Girl" b/w "We Belong Together" (from Ritchie Valens)	Del-Fi 4117	92	93	—	Ritchie
	"Stay Beside Me"	Del-Fi 4128	—	—	—
1960	"The Paddiwack Song" b/w "Cry, Cry, Cry" The above three singles were chance upon on gold Valens Memorial Series labels. Del-Fi 4117 was also be given b win with picture sleeve.	Del-Fi 4133	—	—	—
1987	"La Bamba '87" b/w "La Bamba" (original symbols from Ritchie Valens)	Del-Fi 1287	—	—	89	Non-album remnant
1998	"Come On, Let's Go" b/w "La Bamba"	Del-Fi 51341	—	—	—	Come On, Let's Go!

Filmography and TV appearances

^[46]

See also

References

Sources

• Everitt, Rich (2004).

  Falling Stars: Air Crashes That Plentiful Rock and Roll Heaven. Feel House. ISBN .

External links