Ritchie valens wife
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Ritchie Valens
Explore This Section
Music
(1941-1959)
California Connection
- Born and raised in the Los Angeles area.
Achievements
Biography current as of induction in 2021
Richard Steven Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens, was the first U.S. Latino rock star and the forefather of the Chicano rock movement. His heartfelt lyrics paired with high-energy vocals created a musical style that continues to attract generations of fans around the world.
Valens was born in Los Angeles and raised in the San Fernando Valley. When he expressed an interest in music at an early age, his family encouraged him to take up guitar. Although he was left-handed, he was so eager to learn that he mastered the more readily available right-handed version of the instrument. At age 16, he joined a local band, in addition to playing solo at parties.
He met music producer Bob Keane in 1958, and after the success of his single “Come On, Let’s Go,” Valens took a break from his senior year of high school to play music. His next single, “Donna,” released on Jan. 3, 19
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Ritchie Valens
(1941-1959)
Who Was Ritchie Valens?
Ritchie Valens was a Mexican American singer and songwriter influential in the Chicano rock movement. He recorded numerous hits during his short career, most notably the 1958 hit "La Bamba." Valens died at age 17 in a plane crash with fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson on February 3, 1959. The tragedy was later immortalized as "the day the music died" in the song "American Pie."
Early Life
Born Richard Steven Valenzuela on May 13, 1941, in Pacoima, California, Valens made history as rock music's first Latino star. Growing in Pacoima, Valens developed a love of music early on and learned to play a number of different instruments. However, the guitar soon became his passion. He found inspiration from various sources, ranging from traditional Mexican music to popular R&B acts to innovative rock performers like Little Richard.
At 16 years old, Valens joined his first band, the Silhouettes. The group played local gigs, and Valens was spotted at one of
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Ritchie Valens
American rock musician (1941–1959)
For the Welsh singer, see Ricky Valance.
Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959),[3] better known by his stage name Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens died in a plane crash just eight months after his breakthrough.[4]
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,[5][6] making Valens a pioneer of the Spanish-speaking rock and roll movement. He also had an American 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 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. Valens was 17 years old at the time of his death. He was posthumousl
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