Ritchie Valens (born Ricardo Steven Valenzuela, May 13 1941 – February 3 1959) was a pioneer of rock and roll and a forefather to the Latin Rock movement.
The professional career of Ritchie Valens lasted a period of eight months, during which time he recorded some of the most influential songs of the 1950s rock and roll era. His best known song, "La Bamba", is probably the very first Latin Rock song to become a hit [1][2], making Valens the father of the Spanish rock and roll movement.
He was born in Pacoima, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, on May 13, 1941. Brought up hearing traditional Mexican mariachi music, as well as flamenco guitar, R&B and jump blues, he expressed an interest in making music of his own by the age of 5. He was encouraged by his father to take up guitar and trumpet, and later taught himself the drums. One day, a neighbor came across Ritchie trying to play a guitar that had only two strings. He re-strung the instrument,...
Created by dipity
on Jan 31, 2008
Last updated: 03/11/10 at 05:16 PM
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