Richard Steven Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens (May 13, 1941 - February 3, 1959) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He died with Buddy Holly, and "Big Bopper" Richardson in a plane crash in Iowa on 3 February 1959, in an event that would become known as The Day the Music Died. He was 17 years old.

He was born to Mexican parents.

Ritchie Valens

Valens most notable work include recordings of “La Bamba” a Mexican folk song which became a hit in the U.S. “Donna” a song dedicated to his friend and the phrase “Come on let’s go”

Ritchie Valens

References

1941 births

1959 deaths

American guitarists

American rock musicians

Singer-songwriters from California

Aviation deaths in the United States

Singers from Los Angeles

Ritchie Valens