It is the late 1950’s in southern California, and a young superstar named Ritchie Valens, whether he knows it or not, is about to change the culture of America forever. In a matter of eight months, the Hispanic student at San Fernando High School just became one of the biggest celebrity musicians of the day.1 After dropping out of school in order to record and tour full time, Richard Valenzuela was making phenomenal Rock N’ Roll music, both on stage and in the studio. While America quickly became obsessed with the undeniably talented teen, nothing could prepare them for his next release.
From the beginning, the odds were against young Richard. He was merely sixteen, and, as a young Latino, there were few opportunities for someone like him in the American mainstream music industry, let alone in Rock ’n Roll. He saw proof of this fact early in his career, facing prejudice and discrimination at every turn. He was even forced to change his name to Ritchie Valens in order to make it easier for his fans to pronounce—a compromise that gave way to controversy and anger from his family.2 Ritchie realized that, even though he was opposed to the changing of his name, it would be a smart move for him as a musician. But even after his family name was taken from him, he refused to let go of his heritage. In fact, it seemed that he tightened his grip.
Ritchie wanted to do something to pay tribute to his Latino culture. With the assistance of Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records, he decided he would combine the two worlds that he was now so heavily a part of, by turning the Spanish tune “La Bamba” into an upbeat rock song. Only knowing English, Ritchie had to learn the lyrics of the traditional Mexican folk song phonetically. After countless takes in the studio, he recorded the song on a two-track record with a second soon-to-be hit Oh, Donna.3
Ritchie released the track and promptly shook up America. Most people had no idea what the song was about, but, for one of the first times in modern music history, they didn’t care. The charismatic rhythm of the song combined with Ritchie’s unique voice; it was impossible to dislike it, and the song spread like wildfire, taking his career to new heights.
Seeing Ritchie perform was a spectacle only few Americans were graced with. His energy and impeccable guitar skills would engage the thousands of audience members from start to finish.4 While the crowd was swooning over every single song, there was nothing like that epic guitar riff that carries the tune of La Bamba.3 As soon as Ritchie’s guitar pick hit his strings, the fans simply could not contain themselves.
Unfortunately, Richard Valenzuela’s career was ended even quicker than it begun. Soon after his explosive rise to fame was sparked, and before he could finish his tour, Ritchie Valens was killed in a plane crash along with fellow artists Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper J.P. Richardson.6 The tragedy triggered nation-wide shock, and the day became known by many as “The Day The Music Died.”7
Although his life was ended much too early, perhaps it was this terrible fate that immortalized him in music history. His music and the rest of Valens’ amazing life inspired the film La Bamba, a timeless and classic film. Ritchie’s brave move in the release of “La bamba” inspired and enabled many other Hispanic artists to begin to make their way into the spotlight, making it much more than just a great song. We see the repercussions still today, through modern Latin Rock bands and all the sub-genres surrounding them, and will without a doubt continue to experience the fruits of the song for decades to come. Needless to say, American music and culture would not be the same without Richard Valenzuela’s audacious contributions.
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2004, s.v. “Ritchie Valens.” ↵
- Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, January 2017, s.v. “Ritchie Valens,” by Scot M. Guenter. ↵
- “‘La Bamba’ one of the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century,” Broadcast Transcript. Weekend All Things Considered, NPR, July 15, 2000. ↵
- St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, 2nd ed. “Valens, Ritchie (1941–1959),” Candida Taylor. ↵
- “‘La Bamba’ one of the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century,” Broadcast Transcript. Weekend All Things Considered, NPR, July 15, 2000. ↵
- Robert Wright, “The Day The Music Died,” Aviation Safety, July 1, 2015. ↵
- “What Went Wrong On The Day Music Died?” Interview by Robert Siegel, Melissa Block, All Things Considered, NPR, February 3, 2009. ↵
163 comments
Thomas Fraire
I really loved this article, I remember watching the movie La Bamba growing up and it is one of my favorite movies of all time. This article was very well researched and told the story of Riche really well. It is so tragic how he died. It is sad though that he had to change his name in order to be accepted in the industry but he revaltuninized music in his time and his legacy lives on.
Emily Velazquez
Oh my gosh! I love this song. That was my first thought when I clicked on this article. On top of that, this was a great read. I only knew of the song and never about the actual story behind it all. I thought it was the saddest and most awful thing that Ritchie Valens faced discrimination because of his former name, Richard Valenzuela, but amazing that he did not lose touch of his culture and roots even after all he faced. He made a lasting impact on the musical industry and his songs live on to this day.
Vanessa Sanchez
I completely enjoyed reading this article. I have heard la Bamba ever since i was a little girl. Never really knew the story behind him. For example I didn’t know he actually had to change his name which is understandable specially the way society was back then. It is sad to know someone had to change the name just to be accepted in other words.He has left a huge impact and impact than even after years of his death its still known and will be for a long time. Completely loved the story and specially the little video at the end.
Joshua Garza
Richie Valens definitely was a trendsetter who paved the way for modern Hispanic musicians striving to make it big in america and is an overall role model for Hispanics in which he broke social barriers tat not many other Hispanics in america were doing during the time of his musical career and he did this through his music and universal language of the music.
Vanessa Sanchez
La Bamba is still the move famous song that almost everyone knows it. I love how they showed the part where he beat all odds against him making the song a big hit. His career was rising up fast but was sadly ended when he suffered a plane accident along with other people. I just like how this article brought all of his achievements in one spot and it was truly amazing.
Rosario Moreno
I never knew that they made him change his name, but It does make sense. I was really happy to read that he held a tight on his heritage. It was sad that his career ended so early, but honestly his music will never die. I know for my family and where I’m from that song plays at every single party. Actually anywhere I go that song is playing and it just makes people get up and dance. It just brings me joy as i am pretty sure it does others. Great article !
Cameron Lopez
Ritchie Valens was someone I always knew as the one who sang “La Bamba” and “We belong together” but I never knew the story of him or his impact he made on music until this article. The fact he made such a huge impact on the music industry despite facing discrimination because of his name is incredible. It was sad discovering that he had to change his name because people had a hard time pronouncing it and he was harassed because of it. But he still got up and adapted and changed the meaning of music and made such an impact that still has a meaning today.
Paola Arellano
Richie Valens proved to be a force to be reckoned with and was an admirable individual from reading this article. Although he did not grow up in Mexico himself, he made sure that his culture did not die. Making a song that has inspired many other artists to follow in his footsteps and continue to bring the Mexican culture to America is something that a lot of people, including myself, are very grateful for. It was very uncommon back then to do what he did and stick up in the way that he did and in a way I admire the way that he stood up for his family’s name as well as the rest of the Latino culture. I personally still dance to “La Bamba” it will forever be a classic.
Fatima Navarro
I love this song because it reminds me of my grandma, she also loved it so I grew up listening to it while sweeping the floor or doing chores around the house. Good article. I had no idea that he didn’t know Spanish. Sadly he left very quickly but his legacy remains. Even if he had to change his name to make it easier for Americans to pronounce, today La Bamba is still danced at parties and we shall remember Richard Velenzuela.
Eric Ortega Rodriguez
Growing up, I remember listening to La Bamba. I did not know that it was written by Ritchie Valens. He was able to spread so much positivity through his music as well a be a role model to many, especially to Hispanics striving to be in the music industry. It is sad to see Ritchie Valens’ career was cut short. However, I am sure that his music has the potential to live on for generations and his story will continue to inspire many.