Ritchie Valens
Richard Steve Valenzuela or also known as "Ritchie Valens".
Born: May 13, 1941 in Pacoima, California
Death: Febuary 3, 1959 in Clear Lake, IA
Valens was influenced by Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and, Elvis Presley.
Born: May 13, 1941 in Pacoima, California
Death: Febuary 3, 1959 in Clear Lake, IA
Valens was influenced by Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and, Elvis Presley.
Grown-Up
The Silhouettes were a teenage band in which Little Ritchie became frontman. Bob Keane was the first to notice him in a local theater in which The Silhouettes were performing.
Where Was Ritchie
Ritchie Valens career skyrocketed after his first single "Come On Lets Go" which was #42 on national charts.In 1958, he quit high school. After second single "Donna" and "La Bamba", he became the teen idol of that year.
1958
In September of 1958, Valens started preparing for his tour. "Come On Let's Go" had been released a 45 with framed on the flip side. In December, Ritchie had returned from Hawaii and his mother had made him a party. On December 27th he made his second appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand performing "Donna".
1959
Ritchie was again leaving for "The Winter Dance Party Tour". His mother made him a goodbye party at the house unfortunatlly his girl Donna couldn't make it. Little did anybody know this might be the last time they saw Ritchie. He was on the tour with The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, and his band (which were his influencers).
The Day the Music Died
February of 1959, Ritchie wanted his mother to join him on the tour sadly it couldn't happen. Just like every stop they had same was as Clear Lake, IA with many teenagers enthusiastic to see them. At the end of the show Buddy Holly had basically been tired of riding the bus, so he looked into chartering a small plane. The plane could only carry 3 other people other than the pilot. Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, & J.P. Richardson the died that day. February 3, 1959 is The Day The Music Died.
