Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), [3] better known by his stage name Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter.

Jan 30, 2026 · Ritchie Valens was an American singer and songwriter and the first Latino rock and roll star. His short career ended when he died at age 17 in the 1959 plane crash in which Buddy …

Apr 2, 2014 · Ritchie Valens was a Mexican American singer and songwriter influential in the Chicano rock movement. He recorded numerous hits during his short career, most notably the 1958 …

News - Archives Ritchie's Scrapbook Where Ritchie Was The Day the Music Died Hi - Tone 5 Mama - Bob - Ritchie Connie - Irma - Mario Donna

Jan 12, 2025 · Ritchie Valens, born Richard Steven Valenzuela on May 13, 1941, in Pacoima, California, was a pioneering Mexican American singer and songwriter whose impact on the music …

Ritchie, the 'California Kid' was from a family of poverty stricken fruit pickers and was the first rock star to originate from the West Coast and one of the innovators of 'Latino rock.

Jul 2, 2025 · Though he died in a plane crash at 17, Ritchie Valens changed rock 'n' roll and Latin music forever.

Listen to Ritchie Valens - All Hits by Ritchie Valens on YouTube Music - a dedicated music app with official songs, music videos, remixes, covers, and more.

Ritchie Valens (1941-1959), was born Richard Steven Valenzuela. He was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, …

May 13, 2021 · Mexican-American rock & roll pioneer Ritchie Valens would have been 80 this year. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. Ritchie Valens was just 17 years old when he changed the …