Biography
Born Richard Valenzuela, rocker Ritchie Valens was the first Latino rock star whose impact on both Chicano music and rock ’n’ roll is still being felt more than 60 years after his untimely death. ∙ As a 17-year-old singer, his first big break came when Del-Fi Records founder Bob Keane recorded Valens’ self-penned rockabilly rave-up “Come On, Let’s Go” in 1958. ∙ His doo-wop-influenced ballad “Donna,” written about real-life girlfriend Donna Lud...Read more