Ritchie Valens
Known for Acting · 8 credits
- Born
- 1941-05-13
- Died
- 1959-02-03
- Place of birth
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Also known as
- Richard Steven Valenzuela Reyes
Biography
Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed in a plane crash eight months into his recording career.
Valens had several hits, most notably "La Bamba", which he had adapted from a Mexican folk song. Valens transformed the song into one with a rock rhythm and beat, and it became a hit in 1958, making Valens a pioneer of the Spanish-speaking rock and roll movement. He also had an American number 2 hit with "Donna".
On February 3, 1959, on what has become known as "The Day the Music Died", Valens died in a plane crash in Iowa, an accident that also claimed the lives of fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, as well as pilot Roger Peterson. In 2001, Valens was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Known For
American Bandstand
1957
as Self
The Dick Clark Show
1958
as Self
The Music Shop
1959
The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's "American Pie"
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Go, Johnny, Go!
1959
as Himself
Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died
1999
as Self (archive footage)
TV Shows (3)
Movies (5)
The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's "American Pie"
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Go, Johnny, Go!
1959
as Himself
Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died
1999
as Self (archive footage)
Rock 'n' Roll and the 1950's Vol. 2
2003
as Self (archive footage)
The True Buddy Holly Story
2012
as Self (archive footage)
About Ritchie Valens
Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed in a plane crash eight months into his recording career. Valens had several hits, most notably "La Bamba", which he had adapted from a Mexican folk song. Valens transformed the song into one with a rock rhythm and beat, and it became a hit in 1958, making Valens a pioneer of the Spanish-speaking rock and ro… With 8 credits spanning from 1957 to 2022, Ritchie Valens has appeared in 5 films and 3 TV shows.
Fans searching for Ritchie Valens movies, Ritchie Valens filmography, or the latest projects starring Ritchie Valens can stream many of these titles on CineFlixo, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Ritchie Valens Movies
- The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's "American Pie" (2022) — as Self (archive footage)
- Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) — as Himself
- Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died (1999) — as Self (archive footage)
- Rock 'n' Roll and the 1950's Vol. 2 (2003) — as Self (archive footage)
- The True Buddy Holly Story (2012) — as Self (archive footage)
Where to Watch Ritchie Valens Films
Most Ritchie Valens movies and series are available to stream on CineFlixo in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Ritchie Valens, check our movies catalogue and browse page.