Ritchie Valens

Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13 1941–February 3 1959), better known as Ritchie Valens, was a pioneer of rock and roll and, as a Mexican-American born in Los Angeles, California, became the first Hispanic rock and roll star.

Related Topics:
May 13 - 1941 - February 3 - 1959 - Rock and roll - Mexican-American - Los Angeles, California - Hispanic

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Valens' hits included "Come On, Let's Go", "Donna", and "La Bamba"; the latter became the title of a 1987 movie about his life (see La Bamba), which introduced Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie and co-starred Esai Morales as his older half-brother Bob Morales.

Related Topics:
La Bamba - 1987 - Movie - La Bamba - Lou Diamond Phillips - Esai Morales - Bob Morales

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Valens was a pioneer of Hispanic rock and influenced the likes of Chris Montez and Carlos Santana.

Related Topics:
Hispanic rock - Chris Montez - Carlos Santana

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In early 1959, Valens was traveling the Midwest on a multi-act rock and roll tour. In the early morning following a February 2nd performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, a small four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft departed into a blinding snowstorm and crashed into Albert Juhl's cornfield several miles after takeoff at 1:05 a.m. The crash killed Valens, along with co-performers Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, and the pilot Roger Peterson. This event inspired singer Don McLean's popular 1971 ballad "American Pie", and immortalized February 3rd as "The Day The Music Died".

Related Topics:
1959 - Midwest - February 2 - Surf Ballroom - Clear Lake, Iowa - Buddy Holly - J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson - Don McLean - 1971 - Ballad - American Pie - February 3 - The Day The Music Died

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Ritchie Valens is interred in the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, California.

Related Topics:
San Fernando Mission Cemetery - Mission Hills, California

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He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6733 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, California, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Related Topics:
Hollywood Walk of Fame - Hollywood Blvd. - Hollywood, California - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 2001

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