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 ...

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 ...

The Beach Boys made their professional debut at a Ritchie Valens Memorial Dance on December 31, 1961, in Long Beach, ...

A true American story, COME ON, LET'S GO: The Ritchie Valens Musical is the story of a Chicano Boy who grew up other side of the tracks in California's San Fernando Valley and in his short life went ...

September 1958: Rock and roll originator Ritchie Valens had two hits on the charts, "La Bamba" and "Donna," when a longtime local DJ, the late Harry "Happy Hare" Martin, persuaded him to perform at ...