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Ritchie Valens

Personal Profile

Ritchie Valens
  • Birth Name:
    Richard Steven Valenzuela
  • Date of Birth:
    May 13, 1941
  • Zodiac Sign:
    Taurus
  • Place of Birth:
    Pacoima, California, USA
  • Place of Death:
    Clear Lake, Iowa, USA
  • Date of Death:
    February 3, 1959
  • Cause of Death:
    Plane Crash
  • Sex:
    Male
  • Nationality:
    American

Family

Ritchie Valens

    Career

    Ritchie Valens

    Trivia

    Ritchie Valens
    • Died in a plane crash at the age of 17 along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper (Jiles Perry Richardson).
    • His hit song "Donna" was named after his ex-girlfriend.
    • Released his first single "Come On Let's Go " in 1958.
    • Was one of the performers featured on a set of stamps of rock and blues legends issued by the U.S. Postal Service in June 1993.
    • Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
    • Despite having his most popular hit with "La Bamba", an adaptation of a Mexican folk song, Valens did not speak Spanish.
    • Began his singing career with the Silouhettes.
    • Had a fear of flying after his best friend was killed when two airplanes collided, and the wreckage fell on him.
    • Is portrayed by Lou Diamond Phillips in La Bamba (1987).
    • Is mentioned in the song "Life Is a Rock But the Radio Rolled Me" by Reunion.

    Filmography

    Ritchie Valens

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