Ritchie Valens

Biography

Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed in a plane crash eight months into his recording career. Valens had several hits, most notably "La Bamba", which he had adapted from a Mexican folk song. Valens transformed the song into one with a rock rhythm and beat, and it became a hit in 1958, making Valens a pioneer of the Spanish-speaking rock and roll movement. He also had an American number 2 hit with "Donna". On February 3, 1959, on what has become known as "The Day the Music Died", Valens died in a plane crash in Iowa, an accident that also claimed the lives of fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, as well as pilot Roger Peterson. In 2001, Valens was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Known For

American Bandstand

as Self

Go, Johnny, Go!

as Himself

The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's "American Pie"

as Self (archive footage)

The Dick Clark Show

as Self

Rock 'n' Roll and the 1950's Vol. 2

as Self (archive footage)

The True Buddy Holly Story

as Self (archive footage)

Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died

as Self (archive footage)

The Music Shop