This essay is adapted from Merrick Morton's "La Bamba: A Visual History," published by Hat & Beard Press. “Dance!! Dance!! Dance!! to the music of the Silhouettes Band!!” read the handbill. The ...

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is displaying an exhibit throughout April on the life of guitarist and singer Richard Stephen Valenzuela, professionally known as Ritchie Valens. Curated by the ...

The emotion in Connie Valens’ voice when she speaks of her legendary brother Ritchie Valens is as raw as his rock and roll talent. When she speaks of his music, his love for his family and his legacy, ...

Ritchie Valens was rescued from obscurity by a 1987 movie, “La Bamba,” that finally put the Southern California teen’s story ahead of Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, the two older singers who died in ...