TOUR NOTES BIOGRAPHIES
Richie Valens
Born Richard Steven Valenzuela on May 13, 1941, Ritchie Valens became the first Hispanic Rock and Roll star.
Known for his hits, "Come On Let’s Go", "Donna" and "La Bamba", he was on the road to huge success until the fateful night of February 3rd, 1959. While traveling to his next show, the four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanza plane crashed into Albert Juhl’s corn field, killing Ritchie, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Buddy Holly and pilot Roger Peterson. Richie Valens is interred in the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, California.
His life was publicized in a 1987 movie called "La Bamba". Ritchie was played by Lou Diamond Phillips and co-starred by Esai Morales who played Ritchies older half-brother, Bob Morales.
Ritchie Valens has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6733 Hollywood Blvd. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
Visit the Official Ritchie Valens website at: www.ritchievalens.org/
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