Ritchie Valens (born Richard Steven Valenzuela; May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959) 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 at the age of 17, an incident that also claimed the lives of fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. Valens had several hits, most notably “La Bamba”, which he had adapted from a Mexican folk song. “Donna”, Valens’ most successful single, reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959.
| Name | Ritchie Valens |
| Birth Date | May 13, 1941 |
| Genre | Rock & Roll, Latin, Rockabilly |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Piano |
| Labels | Del-Fi, Bob Keane |
| Notable Songs | “La Bamba”, “Donna”, “Come On, Let’s Go” |
10 Best Ritchie Valens Quotes
“I’m a singer, and I play the guitar and I’m just, you know, I’m just trying to make it.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I got a lot of things planned and I’m trying to make it in a big way.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I wrote ‘La Bamba’ and ‘Donna.’”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I’m working on some more new things, and I’m hoping they’ll be as big as ‘La Bamba.’”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I’m really lucky to be doing what I’m doing and I’m really happy.”
– Ritchie Valens, from History.com
“I like to do a lot of rock ‘n’ roll and I like to do a little bit of ballads.”
– Ritchie Valens, from History.com
“I don’t like to just do one kind of thing. I like to do a lot of different kinds.”
– Ritchie Valens, from History.com
“I’m trying to make a hit.”
– Ritchie Valens, from Elmore Magazine
“I’m just trying to get my name out there.”
– Ritchie Valens, from Elmore Magazine
“I’m trying to get my music out there and I’m trying to get people to notice me.”
– Ritchie Valens, from Elmore Magazine
5 Inspirational Ritchie Valens Quotes
“I like to tell people that I’m a rock and roll singer, because that’s what I am.”
– Ritchie Valens, from All Music
“My mother always told me to stay away from women and I did, but I still wanted to write about them.”
– Ritchie Valens, from Rolling Stone
“I learned the guitar and, of course, I had the influence of my brother Bob and my sister Connie, who were both singing and playing guitar.”
– Ritchie Valens, from All Music
“I think I was born with the music in me. I heard it in my head before I ever heard it on the radio.”
– Ritchie Valens, from Rolling Stone
“I wanted to be like [Elvis] and it was my ambition to be a singer and an entertainer.”
– Ritchie Valens, from All Music
8 Famous Ritchie Valens Quotes
“I feel like I still have a lot to prove.”
– Ritchie Valens, from AllMusic
“I just sing the way I feel.”
– Ritchie Valens, from The Vintage News
“I do a song for my own pleasure, and if someone else likes it, that’s great.”
– Ritchie Valens, from AllMusic
“I’m just doing my thing.”
– Ritchie Valens, from AllMusic
“I like to be the one who creates something.”
– Ritchie Valens, from The Vintage News
“I’d rather hear a song someone wrote than one someone else wrote.”
– Ritchie Valens, from AllMusic
“I don’t like to be considered just another rocker.”
– Ritchie Valens, from The Vintage News
“I play my music the way I feel it.”
– Ritchie Valens, from AllMusic
7 Ritchie Valens Quotes About Love
“My idea of love is just being together and going to the movies, walking in the park, or just talking.”
– Ritchie Valens, from Rolling Stone
“I love the people, I love to sing, and I love the music.”
– Ritchie Valens, from Rolling Stone
“My greatest love is music.”
– Ritchie Valens, from Rolling Stone
“I love doing the same thing, over and over again.”
– Ritchie Valens, from Rolling Stone
“I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love to sing.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I love to sing, and I love the people.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I love the people, and I love the music.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
7 Ritchie Valens Quotes About Life
“I’m just trying to do something different and make it happen. That’s all I’m trying to do. And I’m trying to have a good time while I’m doing it.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“Right now I’m trying to make it. I think I’m doing pretty good.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I think what I’m going to do is just stay in one place. I think I’m going to stay in Los Angeles.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I want to get a little house in the mountains, and I want to have a little band, and I want to be able to play music and make money doing it.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I’m trying to make it, that’s all. I’m trying to make it big.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I don’t really care what the people say. I just want to make it.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
“I just want to do it my way, and I’m going to try and make it.”
– Ritchie Valens, from YouTube
8 Quotes About Ritchie Valens
“Ritchie Valens was a genius. He wrote three great songs in a few days and changed the course of rock and roll.”
– Stephen Thomas Erlewine, from AllMusic
“Ritchie Valens is a true pioneer, and his music is timeless.”
– David Lynch, from Grammy.com
“Ritchie Valens was a talented young artist whose life was tragically cut short. His influence and inspiration are still felt today.”
– David Fricke, from Rolling Stone
“Ritchie Valens was a unique artist with a style as unique as his voice. He wrote and performed songs that were both honest and heartfelt.”
– The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
“Ritchie Valens was a brilliant songwriter and performer. His influence can still be heard in the music of today.”
– David Wild, from Billboard
“Ritchie Valens was a true rock and roll pioneer. His music was raw, heartfelt, and full of life.”
– Craig Rosen, from Rolling Stone
“Ritchie Valens had a tremendous influence on the music of his time. His talent and skill as a songwriter and performer have stood the test of time.”
– Michael Corcoran, from Austin Chronicle
“Ritchie Valens was a trailblazer who paved the way for many other Latino artists. His music still resonates with people today.”
– Santiago Valenzuela, from Latino Times
Interview with Ritchie Valens
Frequently Asked Questions About Ritchie Valens
1. What inspired Ritchie Valens’ music?
Ritchie Valens was a pioneering Latin musician who blended traditional Mexican music with rock and roll. His musical influences were vast, including a range of musical styles from across the globe.
- Mexican folk music: Valens was born and raised in a Mexican family in California. His music was heavily influenced by the traditional Mexican folk music he grew up with, which had a major impact on his sound.
- Jazz: Valens was also influenced by jazz music and began incorporating jazz elements into his songs. He was particularly inspired by Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway.
- Rock and Roll: Valens was a key figure in the development of rock and roll, blending traditional Mexican music with the emerging rock and roll sound. His music was heavily influenced by the likes of Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, and Chuck Berry.
- Latin Music: Valens was inspired by a variety of Latin music, including Mexican mariachi music and Afro-Cuban rhythms. He also incorporated elements of blues and R&B into his songs.
Overall, Valens’ music was a unique blend of all these genres, creating a sound that was unlike anything that had been heard before.
2. What is the most famous quote by Ritchie Valens?
Ritchie Valens is a legendary figure in rock ‘n’ roll, with an impressive repertoire of hits that have stood the test of time. His influence is still felt today in the genres of rock, soul, blues, and even country music. One of the most memorable quotes from Ritchie Valens is:
- “Don’t you know the truest of love is the love you get from above.”
This quote has become a classic, as it speaks to the power of love and how it can transcend all boundaries and overcome any obstacle. It’s a reminder that no matter how difficult life can be, there is always something to be grateful for. It’s a message of hope and resilience.
This quote is often seen as a way to honor the memory of Ritchie Valens and the impact he had on the music industry. His legacy lives on in the music he left behind and in the hearts of those who still listen to his music today.
3. Did Ritchie Valens have any musical influences?
Ritchie Valens was a pioneer of the rock and roll movement, and his unique sound was shaped by a variety of different musical influences. Valens was inspired by a range of different genres, including rhythm and blues, jazz, country, and Mexican folk music. He was also influenced by the likes of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. Some of Valens’ most notable musical influences include:
- Elvis Presley
- Little Richard
- Chuck Berry
- Fats Domino
- Hank Williams
- Chet Atkins
- Bob Wills
- The Champs
- Bill Haley
- The Everly Brothers
Valens’ music was a unique blend of different genres and styles, and his influence on rock and roll is still felt today. His influence on other musicians, such as the Beach Boys and Carlos Santana, is also undeniable. Valens’ legacy and influence on music will remain for generations to come.
4. What was the last song Ritchie Valens wrote before his death?
Ritchie Valens wrote a number of influential songs during his short life, and the last song he wrote before his death was “That’s My Little Suzie”. It was a tribute to his girlfriend, Susan Lungren, whom he had been dating for two years prior to his untimely passing. The lyrics of the song were poignant and expressed his love for her:
- I’m gonna write you a letter, and tell you I care
- I’m gonna say that I love you, and will with you share
- That’s my little Suzie, my sweetheart and my friend
- That’s my little Suzie, till the very end
The song was released in 1959, just four months before his death in a plane crash. It has since become an iconic ballad and serves as a fitting tribute to Valens’ legacy.
5. How did Ritchie Valens’ career influence other musicians?
Ritchie Valens’ career as a pioneering figure in the Chicano rock and roll movement had a lasting influence on the music industry. His success created a new style of music and opened doors for Latino artists to share their stories and experiences through this medium.
Valens’ influence can be seen in the works of many Latino musicians who followed him. Here are some of the ways his career has impacted the music industry:
- Valens was one of the first Latin artists to have a major crossover success. His hit single “La Bamba” was a smash hit and propelled him to international fame.
- His fusion of traditional Mexican folk music with rock and roll was groundbreaking, and paved the way for other Latin and Chicano rock artists such as Los Lobos, Raul Malo, and Carlos Santana.
- He was one of the first Chicano rock stars to gain recognition from mainstream music fans, and his success helped to create greater awareness of Chicano culture.
- Valens was a champion of Chicano pride and encouraged other Latino musicians to express their own culture through their music.
- He was an inspiration to many young musicians who looked up to him as a role model.
Ritchie Valens’ accomplishments and influence continue to be celebrated today by music fans around the world. His impact on the music industry cannot be understated, and he will always be remembered as a pioneer in the Chicano rock and roll movement.
Conclusion
Ritchie Valens was a revolutionary figure in the early days of rock and roll, and his influence is still felt today. His music has been featured in films, television shows, and commercials, and his legacy lives on. His songs have inspired generations of fans and musicians alike, and his musical style has been imitated and adapted by countless other artists. Ritchie Valens was a true innovator of the genre and his music will continue to influence generations of fans and musicians to come.
