Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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VALENS, Ritchie

(b Richard Valenzuela, 13 May '41, Pacoima CA; d 3 Feb. '59 in a plane crash in Iowa) Chicano rock legend. 'Come On, Let's Go' on Bob Keene's Del-Fi label almost made top 40 '58. Then smoochie rockaballad 'Donna' (written for his girl friend) was smash no. 2, with trad. Latin party song 'La Bamba' on flip: disc jockeys made B side a no. 22 hit, much more influential. 'That's My Little Susie' and 'Little Girl' made Hot 100 '59; he was killed in the same plane crash as Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. His third album was recorded live at Pacoima Jr High School, all on Rhino now, and there's The Lost Tapes on Ace. Hit film biopic La Bamba '87 incl. original music by Carlos Santana/Miles Goodman; Los Lobos on screen/soundtrack made 'La Bamba' a no. 1 hit at last.