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
Nathan Alba
I remember watching La Bamba when I was younger. It is always sad when what looks like a promising career comes to an abrupt end. Especially when it is a young star, with so much life ahead of them. However, although he has passed, his legacy will live on forever through his legendary hits.
Marina Castro
It is very impressive to me that a young man like Richard was able to rise to fame at such a young age. La Bamba is a timeless song that has been listened probably by every person alive. Reading more about his life and his way to success made me appreciate even more his art. Even though his career ended in such a tragic way, he will always be immortalized with his legacy of music.
Andrea Cabrera
I remembered when I first heard Ritchie Valens tragic story I was very sad that a talented young man as him could have such a short moment of fame. As a person from a Latin background, stories like this inspire me and I can speak from most of us that seeing other Hispanics fulfill their dreams can open your eyes to the vast opportunities that you can achieve here in America or in any other place in the world. Reading this brought so many memories from back home and a sense of commitment that even at a young age I can go against the odds do what I love.
Natalie Juarez
I remember learning about Richie Valens from watching the movie “La Bamba,” when I was younger. Thank you for including the fact that he had to change so the people could pronounce his name easier. Despite that fact, he didn’t let his Hispanic heritage be taken away. He was so talented and gave people in the Hispanic community hope. He experienced hardships being a person of color in America and coming from a poor background, but he did not let those obstacles stop him from achieving his dream. It is devastating to know he died so young, but his music will live on forever. Thank you for sharing his story!
Irene Astran
It was extravagant in Ritchie’s time that he released this song and that it was received with such excitement. I am happy that we are in a time where artists can take pride in being bilingual and singing in all languages known to them. Music can be a universal language in the sense that it brings people together. People then may not have known what he was saying, but they could not deny it made them want to dance. I see that same energy now.
Alexis Martinez
I have always loved Ritchie Valens’ music. He has been an inspiration to me since I was a little girl and my grandma and I would dance to his music. This article really did a great job of highlighting his life, I only ever knew about him briefly but when you talked about the racial stigma of changing his name I really resonated with that. Especially in those times I can only imagine how hard it must have been for him. He really did pave the way for other Hispanic musicians after him.
Bruno Montesdeoca
Racial prejudice was and still is a huge hindrance to people striving for any career. Ritchie Valens was hindered by this but persevered and pushed through this. He then created a revolutionary and culture changing song that is still listened to this day. He combined two cultures that seemed impossible to connect and his fame skyrocketed. It is sad that he was unable to produce more music that would have changed the Rock N Roll culture forever.
Kaitlyn Killebrew
It’s really amazing the connection that music has across the world. We may all speak different languages but rhythm has a way of uniting people, like when we get hits from different countries. Songs like We no speak Americano is from Australia, and Numa Numa from Romania. I have a friend from France and would tell me that one of the biggest American music influences is Adele. The plane crash that killed all those musicians was on February 3rd, 1959, and something that was unbelievable is that Ritchie Valens wasn’t even suppose to be on that plane in the first place. Two people got off the plane to allow Valens to fly because he was sick, and they didn’t think it was right for him to take the tour bus.
Janelle Larios
It is not often that spanish music or even music not in english is liked and accepted in american culture. I believe that United States has a problem with being close minded and throwing aside anything that isn’t already catering to the needs of english speaking americans. So when people or songs blowup and rise to fame in american culture, that person or music is seen and fully recognized by essentially the world, not only because the U.S is such a powerhouse nation, but because the U.S has this idealistic perception of itself being that they are and should be the standard that the world should follow and to some extent the world does. It is not a bad thing to be recognized in american mainstream media, but that its bad that we only acknowledge something when white america acknowledges it. La Bamba is wonderful song and deserves all the recognition and credit it deserves, but ask yourself why it was so hard for anyone not white to break through the music industry in the U.S? Why are there so many more obstacles minorities have to face when trying to break through in the music industry?
Honoka Sasahara
The article is so impressive and informative for everyone. The story of Ritchie Valens’s life made me feel that we can start new things no one else has done before and make new standard.
I was able to know who he had been and how much I should thank him for telling us the wonderfulness of Latin music through this article.