How Ritchie Valens Changed Rock and Roll with 'La Bamba' | Artbound | PBS SoCal

Ritchie Valens broke the glass ceiling for Chicano pop and remains a pioneering figure in rock and roll. His iconic song "La Bamba" became a cultural phenomenon, embraced by people worldwide, including non-Spanish speakers. Just months after ""La Bamba"" became the first Latin-based song to cross over to mainstream pop and rock audiences, Valens tragically died in a plane crash. Today, the San Fernando Valley legend continues to be honored in music history.

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[bobertkallahan]

Miss this kid like no other. Chicano legend!

[Berniesbites]

Ritchie Vallens : a pioneer of rock and roll and Rock en Español. R.I.P

[ronniemead]

Cant believe Richie Valens was only 17 when he died. His photo looks like a 40 y.o. man and his accomplishments for a 17 y.o. is off the charts.

[gisellevillalobossanchez]

He is a legend he'll live in our hearts forever

[irh]

Absolute legend

RIP

Respect from the UK 🇬🇧 from a British Asian

[mikd]

I've loved this song since I was a child! I still have no idea what I'm singing! 😂

[steven]

It's hard to believe Ritchie was 17 years old in those pictures. He doesn't look a day under 35.

[PeterAlanA]

Imagine where rock & roll would have evolved to if not for them dying.

[alandavis]

Don't get on planes in bad weather. It happened at Chrystal Lake, Iowa, he was of been a Hispanic Elvis.

[gorgeous-gn]

sadsadsad the man could play RIP. stay tuff nyc

[vikkigonzalez]

Ricardo Valenzuela, de genes sonorenses, como Joaquin Murrieta alias el Zorro.

[Tonyflaco]

Un maestro espiritual que vino a una mission pero la elite sabia que hacer

[KokeBoogotti]

We gave the world our tribal music 🫶🏾🦅🌟🙌🏾✨🪷🎤

[KokeBoogotti]

Los Indios Copperskins and Redbones Ahua Hola Aloha Tribu

[daveymeshell]

Ritchie Valens was great but really uncomfortable to Little Richard.

Just completely different

[babyblue]

Looked old as hell too. Looks 40 at 17

[gutterboyDennis]

Comes out of nowhere singing a African song!

[BenjaminGonzalez-wvcy]

But think of this: Jesus Christ, Preached the Gospel for three (3) years and forever changed the course of history forever, and everyone who Believed and Accepted Him were changed forever and had their names written in the Book of Life. Question: "What will you do with Jesus Christ?"