People
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... Read More
Movies:
Title | Release date |
---|---|
The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's "American Pie" as Self (archive footage) | 2022-07-08 |
The True Buddy Holly Story as Self (archive footage) | 2012-02-02 |
Rock 'n' Roll and the 1950's Vol. 2 as Self (archive footage) | 2003-08-29 |
Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died as Self (archive footage) | 1999-02-03 |
Go, Johnny, Go! as Himself | 1959-06-01 |