What guitar did Ritchie's mom buy?
Who was the guest at the Ritchie's Winter Dance Party?
When did Ritchie and Donna meet?
Was Ritchie a good guy?
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About this website
Is Donna Ludwig still alive?
Donna now lives in a small community near Sacramento with her third husband.03-Jun-2020
Who got Richie Valens money?
A few days before the Aeronautics Board investigation report came out, Dwyer's insurance company settled with Richie's mother for $75,000 – $25,000 each for Richie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.31-Jul-2013
How much is Ritchie Valens family worth?
Ritchie Valens net worth: Ritchie Valens was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who had a net worth of $500 thousand....Ritchie Valens Net Worth.Net Worth:$500 ThousandDate of Birth:May 13, 1941 - Feb 3, 1959 (17 years old)Gender:MaleHeight:5 ft 6 in (1.7 m)Profession:Singer, Guitarist, Songwriter1 more row
Is any of Ritchie Valens family still alive?
Originally from Los Angeles, Valens was the second of five children, including brother Bob Morales, younger sisters Connie and Irma, and younger brother Mario Ramirez. Connie, who was 8 years old at the time of the crash, now lives in Okoboji, Iowa. “2019 marks 60 years since the day the music died,” she noted.14-Aug-2019
What was Ritchie Valens moms name?
Concepcion ValenzuelaRitchie Valens / MotherEarly life. Valens was born as Richard Steven Valenzuela in Pacoima, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. His parents, José Esteban Valenzuela (1896–1952) and Concepción "Concha" Reyes (1915–1987), were from Mexico. He had two brothers Roberto "Bob" Morales (1937–2018) and Mario Ramirez.
What is Ritchie Valens real name?
Richard Steven ValenzuelaRitchie Valens / Full nameRitchie Valens, original name Richard Stephen Valenzuela, (born May 13, 1941, Pacoima, California, U.S.—died February 3, 1959, near Clear Lake, Iowa), American singer and songwriter and the first Latino rock and roller.30-Jan-2022
How rich is Lou Diamond Phillips?
Lou Diamond Phillips Net Worth: Lou Diamond Phillips is an American actor and director who has a net worth of $6 million....Lou Diamond Phillips Net Worth.Net Worth:$6 MillionDate of Birth:Feb 17, 1962 (60 years old)Gender:MaleHeight:6 ft (1.85 m)2 more rows
How old is Donna Ludwig now?
Twenty-nine years later, Donna Ludwig is back in the spotlight. The release of "La Bamba," the summer movie celebrating Valens' short life, assures her a permanent footnote in the history of pop culture. "I really can't believe this is happening again," the 45-year-old business executive says.04-Sept-1987
Where is the house that Ritchie Valens bought for his mom?
Remington StreetHis fame bought his mother a house on Remington Street, and he gave free concerts at his old schools, San Fernando High and Pacoima Junior High. The Pacoima concert on Dec.25-Mar-2001
Is Rosie from La Bamba still alive?
Elizabeth Peña, Actress in 'La Bamba,' 'Modern Family,' Dead at 55 - WSJ.16-Oct-2014
Is La Bamba a true story?
The film was based on the life of Ritchie Valens, the Mexican-American teenager (birth name: Richard Steven Valenzuela) who was one of the first Latinos in rock 'n' roll.05-May-2021
Did Bob Morales stay with Rosie?
Mejor .” Occasionally, someone walked up and asked the third woman to sign an autograph. She was Rosie Morales, portrayed in the movie as Bob's girlfriend and later, she said, his wife of 18 years. They're still close friends, she said.29-Jul-1987
What happened to Donna from Ritchie Valens? - AskingLot.com
He was on tour with singer Buddy Holly and Texas disc jockey J. P. (The Big Bopper) Richardson when their small plane crashed in a frozen Iowa cornfield on Feb. 3, 1959, killing them. Valens was only 17 years old. Since then, the legend of Valens and his love for his girlfriend, Donna, have grown.
Donna Ludwig Death Fact Check, Birthday & Age | Dead or Kicking
Donna Ludwig Death Fact Check. Donna is alive and kicking and is currently 80 years old. Please ignore rumors and hoaxes. If you have any unfortunate news that this page should be update with, please let us know using this form.
Tragic Details Found In Buddy Holly's Autopsy Report
Though Buddy Holly's career lasted only two short years, his impact on rock 'n' roll and pop culture are undeniable. Born Charles Hardin Holley to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas, All That's Interesting states that he spent his youth focusing on learning and playing music. In 1955, Holly, then a teenager, opened for Elvis. By 1957, he released his song "That'll Be the Day" with his band ...
Did Buddy Holly and his wife have any children?
Maria Elena Holly net worth: Maria Elena Holly is an American businesswoman who has a net worth of $20 million. Maria Elena Holly was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in December 1932. She is best known for being married to Buddy Holly from 1958 until he passed away in 1959.
Mother of Rock Star Ritchie Valens Dies | AP News
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) _ Connie Valenzuela, the mother of the late rock singer Ritchie Valens, has died of an apparent heart attack. She was 72.
How did Ritchie Valens die?
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 ", ...
Where is Ritchie Valens Memorial Highway?
A section of the Interstate 5 Freeway in the northeast San Fernando Valley has been named after Valens. The Ritchie Valens Memorial Highway is located between the 170 and 118 freeways. On August 25, 2018, a celebration was held in his honor to commemorate his legacy.
Why did Valens and Holly fly out of the Mason City airport?
After the February 2, 1959, performance in Clear Lake, Iowa (which ended around midnight), Holly, Richardson, and Valens flew out of the Mason City airport in a small plane that Holly had chartered. Valens was on the plane because he won a coin toss with Holly's backup guitarist Tommy Allsup.
How old was Valens in La Bamba?
Valens has been the subject of several biopic films, including the 1987 film La Bamba. Primarily set in 1957–1959, it depicted Valens from age 16 to 17. It introduced Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens. Los Lobos performed most of the music in the film.
How much did the Valens star cost?
On May 11, 1990, a star bearing his name was unveiled on the Hollywood walk of fame. The star cost $3,500, which was paid for with money raised in his name by family and friends.
What was the last song that Valens sang?
Valens's next record, a double A-side, the final record to be released in his lifetime, had the song "Donna" (written about a real girlfriend Donna Ludwig) coupled with " La Bamba ".
Who were Luis and Maria Antonia's children?
It was during the 1870s that the children of Luis and Maria Antonia started their own families. Agripina met a gentleman named Marciano (Mariano) Valenzuela who had come from Sonora. According to Santa Barbara County records 25-year-old Mariano Valenzuela – a resident of Santa Maria – was married to 23-year-old Egripina (Agrippina) Ponce – a resident of Santa Ynes – on November 23, 1875. Over the next few years, the family of Marciano and Agrippina would grow quickly with the first few children baptized at San Ramon Chapel:
Who was Joe Valenzuela married to?
Joe Steven Valenzuela married Concepcion Lopez Reyes on September 15, 1939 in a ceremony performed at a residence in Pacoima by Reverend Charles F. Dunn. In the marriage license that was filed on September 20 th at the County Recorder’s office, Joe Steven Valenzuela was described as a 41-year-old farmer, the son of Marcino Valenzuela (from Sonora, Mexico) and Agrippina Ponce (of Santa Barbara, California).
Where was Stephen Joseph Valenzuela born?
However, after 1893, the conditions of the Valenzuela family changed dramatically. Suddenly they moved to Los Angeles County. It was in Los Angeles that Stephen Joseph Valenzuela was born. On April 15, 1895, Marciano and Agripina baptized Stephen Joseph at Our Lady Queen of Angels (La Plaza) in Downtown Los Angeles.
Who were Jose Miguel Lugo and Maria Fernandez?
Growing up within the presidio community, Jose Miguel Lugo and Maria Ysabel Fernandez – the children of soldiers – were engaged and on February 4, 1799 were married at the Santa Barbara Mission. They represent one set of great-great-great-grandparents of Ritchie Valens. Their marriage record is a beautifully written document describing Joseph Miguel Lugo as a “soldado” of the Presidio of Santa Barbara who was originally from La Villa de Sinaloa. Likewise, Maria Ysabel Fernandez is described as a single woman originally from Villa del Fuerte.
Was Ritchie Valens a Yaqui?
It has been stated widely that Ritchie Valens was of Yaqui Indian descent. My own research has not actually proven this. However, when we consider that nearly all of Ritchie Valens’ father’s ancestors were from southern Sonora and northern Sinaloa, it is very likely that he is a descendant of both the Yaquis and the Mayos (whose territory was immediately south of the Yaqui lands).
Where are Ritchie Valens' siblings?
His siblings, including one older brother, two younger sisters and a younger brother, were living in California and Nevada. After Valens' death, the family stayed out of the public eye, though they did work closely with producers of "La Bamba.". In 2013 Valens' siblings gathered at Surf Ballroom ...
How old was Valens' brother when he died?
Valens' youngest brother, who was just 18 months old when Valens died, eventually formed his own band. ADVERTISEMENT.
How old was Ritchie Valens when he died?
Sadly, Valens is also one of music's biggest "what could have been" stories — he died at age 17 while still a rising success. He didn't have the chance to record all that much music, but what he did make would cement his status as an American musical legend. Here's a look into the tragically brief life of Ritchie Valens.
What was Ritchie Valens famous for?
Ritchie Valens was one of rock n' roll's earliest and most promising stars. A pop music titan while still just a teenager, he emerged in 1958 as a talent to be reckoned with, combining a voice that was at turns soulful and peppy with a preternatural talent for playing the guitar with precision and speed. By early 1959, Valens had shown off his skills with three highly varied singles — the ultra-catchy and breezy "Come On, Let's Go," the restrained torch ballad "Donna," and "La Bamba," a shredding, blistering take on an old folk song the Mexican-American musician learned in childhood that became one of the first and biggest songs not performed in English to hit big in the United States.#N#Sadly, Valens is also one of music's biggest "what could have been" stories — he died at age 17 while still a rising success. He didn't have the chance to record all that much music, but what he did make would cement his status as an American musical legend. Here's a look into the tragically brief life of Ritchie Valens.
What song did Ritchie Valens sing in 1959?
In 1959, Ritchie Valens peaked commercially and artistically with two extremely successful singles. One of them was the rollicking, hard-charging folk/rock fusion tune "La Bamba," sung completely in Spanish." The other was completely different — "Donna," a sweetly crooned teen-idol type love song, performed in English, suitable for slow-dancing. The latter now ranks in the pop music canon of songs named after women, alongside Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue," the Knack's "My Sharona," and Toto's "Rosanna." "Donna" is also about a real person, a teenager named Donna Ludwig, that Valens had dated before he found success as a rock star.
Where did Buddy Holly die?
In February 1959, he died with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper when their small plane crashed into a farmer's field near Clear Lake, Iowa. According to Atlas Obscura, that's still private land, but it's also the site of a modest guitar statue, put up in 1988, shortly after the release of the Valens biopic La Bamba .
Who played Ritchie Valens in La Bamba?
In the film, Valens (portrayed by Lou Diamond Phillips) is head over heels in love with girlfriend Donna Ludwig (Danielle Von Zerneck), and he records the moony love song "Donna" in her honor. However, Valens' relatives couldn't recall having ever met her, and the musician's manager and champion, Bob Keane, didn't know her very well either. "I remember Ritchie saying he'd written this song for his girl, Donna, but I never heard anything else about her."
Did Ritchie Valens speak Spanish?
According to the Los Angeles Times, a family friend named Dickie Cota taught young Valens the guitar notes as well as the lyrics in Spanish, a language in which Valens was not fluent. "Ritchie never spoke in Spanish because his dad never did," his mother, Connie Valenzuela, said.
Did Ritchie Valens live all that long?
While he didn't live all that long, Ritchie Valens positively impacted a countless number of people with his music and his legacy. Around the United States, several monuments and memorials dedicated to the late rock star have been erected.
Who is Ritchie Valens' mom?
Ritchie Valens' mom, Connie Valenzuela, passed in 1987. Ritchie's death left the world in shock. In fact, songs still reference "The day the music died" even today, leaving Valens' family to carry on his legacy. Connie's life wasn't an easy one: she was employed as a farm worker, a waitress, a bartender, and a house cleaner.
What happened to Ritchie Valens?
The story of Ritchie Valens ' life is tragic: right when the musical prodigy's career was taking off, the day "the music died," happened. A plane crash in Iowa claimed the lives of pilot Roger Peterson, Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson, and Ritchie Valens. Valens, who became a hit sensation with his track "La La Bamba" and was immortalized in the film of the same name, was only 17 when he died. His brother Bob Morales became a local legend in his own right, but what happened to him?
What songs did Ritchie Valens cover?
With hits like their rock-and-roll cover of "La Bamba," along with "Come On, Let's Go, " and "Donna, " Ritchie Valens was a bonafide star. Article continues below advertisement. Source: Twitter.
How old was Ritchie's brother when he died?
Ritchie's younger brother, Mario Ramirez, was only 2 years old when the singer passed away, but he's carrying on the musical legacy left behind by the rock and roll icon: "I wish I had been able to spend more time with him. But by dedicating my life to music, I struggle to honor him.
Where did Ritchie grow up?
Ricardo, aka, "Ritchie" would grow up in Central California farm camps and even labored in Campbell orchards to help his family make ends meet. It was when Connie took her family to Pacoima, a suburb of Los Angeles, that Ritchie and the rest of his family's life began to change for the better.
Was Valens' brother in a car accident?
He loved speeding down California highways and despite not having a driver's license the last 25 years of his life, was never in a major accident.
What guitar did Ritchie's mom buy?
Donna in Ritchie’s room. The Fender guitar had made it home. Also pictured is Ritchie’s Gibson guitar that he and his mom had purchased just a few months earlier. After Ritchie’s passing. Ritchie's 18th Birthday. On the first anniversary of Ritchie’s death, Ritchie’s mother wanted to honor his memory.
Who was the guest at the Ritchie's Winter Dance Party?
Donna was a great comfort to Ritchie’s mom and sisters after Ritchie’s death. Donna has attended the Winter Dance Party Concert for the last several years as a special guest. Her graciousness to Ritchie’s fans and support of Ritchie’s family continues to show the bond that was created almost sixty years ago.
When did Ritchie and Donna meet?
In 1957 Ritchie and Donna met at a garage party where Ritchie was playing. It was love at first sight. They shared two and a half years of memories and hearts forever. January 1959, The Winter Dance Party Tour, MN. 1959, Donna’s senior class photo from James Monroe High School.
Was Ritchie a good guy?
Donna shares her memories of Ritchie. Ritchie was my first true love and my first experience losing someone I loved. Ritchie was a truly good guy; kind and polite. He liked to dress well and always look good. I still remember his aftershave, “Old Spice.”. Ritchie spoke often about his family.
Overview
Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed in a plane crash eight months into his music career.
Valens had several hits, most notably "La Bamba", which he had adapted from a Mexican folk so…
Early life
Valens was born as Richard Steven Valenzuela in Pacoima, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. His parents, José Esteban Valenzuela (1896–1952) and Concepción "Concha" Reyes (1915–1987), were from Mexico. He had two brothers Roberto "Bob" Morales (1937–2018) and Mario Ramirez. His older brother Bob had an alcohol and drug addiction problem. Bob went on a downward spiral after turning to alcohol. After giving up alcohol he succ…
Career
A self-taught musician, Valenzuela was an accomplished singer and guitarist. At his appearances, he often improvised new lyrics and added new riffs to popular songs while he was playing.
Bob Keane, the owner and president of small record label Del-Fi Records in Hollywood, was given a tip in May 1958 by San Fernando High School student Doug Macchia about a young performer from Pacoima by the name of Richard Valenzuela. Kids knew the performer as "the Little Richard of San …
Personal life
Valens was in a relationship with Donna Ludwig, his high school sweetheart, from 1957 until his death. Ludwig's parents disapproved of her dating a Hispanic man. Valens's song "Donna" was written for her. Their relationship became strained due to Valens's increasing popularity and touring. After his death, Ludwig attended his funeral. In 1987, she attended the premiere of La Bamba, a biopic featuring the life and career of Valens.
Death
After the February 2, 1959, performance in Clear Lake, Iowa (which ended around midnight), Holly, Richardson, and Valens flew out of the Mason City airport in a small plane that Holly had chartered. Valens was on the plane because he won a coin toss with Holly's backup guitarist Tommy Allsup. Holly's bassist, Waylon Jennings, voluntarily gave up his seat on the plane to J.P. Richardson, who wa…
Legacy
Valens was a pioneer of Chicano rock and Latin rock, and inspired many musicians of Mexican heritage. He influenced the likes of Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, and Carlos Santana, as he had become nationally successful at a time when very few Latinos were in American rock and pop music. He is considered the first Latino to successfully cross over into mainstream rock.
Representation in other media
• Valens has been the subject of several biopic films, including the 1987 film La Bamba. Primarily set in 1957–1959, it depicted Valens from age 16 to 17. It introduced Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens. Los Lobos performed most of the music in the film.
• Valens was portrayed by Gilbert Melgar in the final scene of The Buddy Holly Story.
Tributes and filmography
In 1989, Ken Paquette, a Wisconsin fan of the 1950s era, erected a stainless-steel monument depicting a guitar and a set of three records bearing the names of each of the three performers killed in the accident. It is located on private farmland, about 1.25-mile (2.01 km) west of the intersection of 315th Street and Gull Avenue, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Clear Lake. He also created a simil…