My tribute to Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big bopper
Featuring Tommy Dee performing 3 stars.
Mi tributo a Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly & El Bopper Grande
Ritchie Valens (1941-1959)
The Latino teen rock sensation had a brief but brilliant career. Most famous for his song "La Bamba," a rock 'n' roll version of a traditional Mexican ballad, Ritchie Valens fused different kinds of music together to form his own remarkable style. Influenced by some of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll, including Elvis Presley, Bo Diddley, and Little Richard, he earned himself the nickname "The Little Richard of San Fernando." Although his career was cut short by a fatal plane crash, Ritchie wrote and recorded songs that would influence future generations of rock musicians, including the Beatles and Led Zepellin.
Born Richard Steve Valenzuela in the San Fernando Valley suburb of Pacoima, California, Ritchie received a good Catholic upbringing from his parents despite money being tight. As a child, Ritchie made himself a guitar out of a cigar box and a broom handle and strung it with household string. His home life gave him a grounding in traditional Mexican mariachi music played by his relatives, and the radio exposed him to the rhythm and blues sound. In 1956 Ritchie joined a band called The Silhouettes who performed at "hops" around the San Fernando Valley area. The Silhouettes were a multiracial band featuring two African Americans, a Japanese American, and Ritchie, a Mexican American. After various reshuffles in the band, Ritchie sang lead vocals and played the guitar.
Ritchie was discovered at the tender age of 16 by Bob Keane of Del-fi Records at one of the San Fernando garage hops. Once Keane saw how audiences responded to the band's charismatic lead singer he gave him a recording contract. Keane changed his name to Ritchie Valens: a catchier, rockier, and Anglicized version of his real name. Ritchie's first hit was a rock 'n' roll number "Come On Let's Go," which he wrote himself. It reached number 42 on the U.S. charts. In October 1958, Del-fi released "La Bamba" with a lovesong entitled "Donna" on the other side. This lovesong was written by Ritchie about his high school sweetheart, who was forbidden by her father to go out with "that Mexican." It turned out to be the more successful track, selling over a million copies and reaching number two on the U.S. charts. "La Bamba" only climbed as high as number 22.
Keane found Ritchie an unorthodox musician to work with; Ritchie would make up songs and then forget them, or he would base a whole song on just eight guitar chords and two lines of lyrics. The pair successfully recorded a large number of songs in Keane's basement studio at his home in Silverlake, California. Keane wanted to get Ritchie out on the road on tour since his major talent was in performing. He assessed that Ritchie "could rock like a rough street kid while simultaneously exuding a shy, appealing vulnerability," a combination that dazzled his teenage audiences.
Ritchie's final tour was called "The Winter Dance Party." He headlined with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. Ritchie, with the success of "Donna" under his belt, was not obliged to play low profile concerts in the Midwest but reportedly did so out of loyalty to his fans. The weather was bitterly cold and the heating had broken on their tour bus. Buddy Holly chartered a plane with space for himself, his guitarist, and the Big Bopper. Ritchie could not cope with the sub-zero temperature levels and talked Buddy's guitarist into tossing a coin for the last seat. Ritchie won the toss. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff in a field outside of Fargo, North Dakota. All passengers were killed. The occasion was dubbed by the press as "The Day the Music Died."
Had he lived longer, Ritchie would have likely become one of the most significant musicians of the 1960s. The cultural critic George Lipsitz wrote that "Valens' tragic death at the age of seventeen deprived the Los Angeles Chicano community of its biggest star, and it cut short the career of one of rock and roll's most eclectic synthesizers." Ritchie's talent lay in his ability to mix radically different types of music: black rhythm and blues, white folk music, and Mexican mariachi songs the sounds that surrounded him as he grew up in postwar California. Despite being the only musician of Mexican ancestry to make it in the mainstream pop scene, Ritchie regarded himself as first and foremost American. He did not speak Spanish and had to be coached for singing the Spanish lyrics of "La Bamba." In 1987 a bioptic called La Bamba, made by the Chicano film director Luis Valdez was released, regenerating interest in Ritchie's music, demonstrating how Ritchie's music continued to touch young people. Ritchie's music didn't die with him.
..Richard Steven Valenzuela (Ritchie Valens)
nació el 13 de mayo de 1941 y murió el 3 de febrero de 1959 en un accidente aéreo en Iowa. Este famoso cantante, guitarrista y pionero del Rock americano nació en Los Angeles (California) y toda su familia era de origen mexicano.
Su corta carrera, sólo duraría unos 8 meses, fue tronchada a los 17 años por un accidente de aviación, pero ese tiempo le bastó sin embargo, para ganarse un lugar en la historia del Rock and Roll de los años 50. Algunas de sus canciones pertenecen a los éxitos más recordados de aquellos años. Ritchie comenzó muy niño con la guitarra, afición heredada de su padre, amante del blues y el flamenco. Muy pronto estaría animando fiestas escolares acompañado de su guitarra. Se cree que su primera guitarra eléctrica fue un modelo que él mismo construyó.
En mayo de 1958 fue descubierto por Bob Keane, propietario y presidente de la compañía Del-Fi Records, un pequeño sello de Hollywood. A ellos llegó el comentario de un nuevo talento en el Valle de San Fernando, de sólo 16 años, que tocaba en su grupo, llamado The Silhouettes, y era llamado el "Little Richard" regional, en alusión al famoso músico de rock de aquel nombre. Sería un sábado en la mañana que Bob Keane viera por primera vez la actuación de Richard, en un local de un cine de San Fernando. Impresionado ante el chico, decidió invitarlo a audicionar para él, a su casa de Silver Lake en el área de Los Angeles. Allí tenía Keane un pequeño estudio de grabación, en el sótano de su casa. El equipo de grabación constaba de un antiguo grabador portátil Ampex 6012 de dos canales, y un par de micrófonos Telefunken U-87. Varias canciones fueron grabadas, básicamente Richard tocando y cantando, para ser luego regrabadas en los estudios Gold Star más tarde. Algunos de esos demos se pueden escuchar en el disco Ritchie Valens — the Lost Tapes. A aquel día pertenecen en especial dos canciones, luego en Gold Star mejoradas, donde se le agregarían otros instrumentos: una de ellas fue "Donna" y la otra el instrumental "Ritchie's Blues". Richard ejecutaba una parte de esa pieza utilizando un lápiz!
Después de varias sesiones en su estudio privado, escribir letras y arreglar canciones, Bob Keane consideró listo a Richard para grabar en estudio junto a una banda que lo acompañara. Entre ellos estarían Rene Hall y Earl Palmer. A sugerencia de Keane, Richard cambiaría su nombre por el de Ritchie, con t añadida, y Valens en lugar de Valenzuela, para mejor efecto ante el público de habla inglesa. La primera canción en ser grabada, una tarde de julio de 1958, fue "Come On, Let's Go", (acreditada a Valens/Kuhn, nombre real de Keane), y "Framed" , de Jerry Leiber y Mike Stoller. El siguiente disco, ya sería tristemente, el último de su vida: el doble sencillo "Donna" y "La Bamba". La última, sería el título de la película de 1987 sobre su vida, protagonizada por Lou Diamond Phillips como Valens, y Esai Morales como su medio hermano Bob Morales.
Ritchie Valens fue un pionero del luego llamado Chicano rock, e influenció a músicos como Chris Montez y Carlos Santana.
A comienzos de 1959, Ritchie participaba del llamado Winter Dance Party, gira de grandes estrellas del Rock and Roll por el Medio Oeste americano. La mala organización del evento, no preveía una calefacción adecuada en el autobús que llevaba los músicos, algunos de los cuales enfermaron por las bajísimas temperaturas reinantes. Para evitar una noche más de viaje en esas condiciones, Buddy Holly, otra de las estrellas del tour, tuvo la idea de alquilar un avión, después de actuación en el Surf Ballroom de Clear Lake, Iowa, para llegar cuanto antes a un hotel, a dormir y descansar cómodamente. Aparte de Buddy Holly, había lugar para otros dos músicos más en el avión, uno de los cuales fue Ritchie Valens. Irónicamente ganó su lugar aquella noche apostando a la suerte, pero sellando así su destino. La avioneta era un Beechcraft Bonanza para cuatro pasajeros, el que partió aquel 2 de febrero de 1959, pilotado por un joven inexperto a medianoche, en medio de una gran tormenta de nieve. Según se piensa, el piloto no tenía conocimientos suficientes, y desconcertado por la nieve que todo lo cubría, habría equivocado la lectura de los instrumentos, única manera de volar a visibilidad nula, entre nubes y campos absolutamente blancos. Fue así que en lugar de subir, la avioneta en realidad bajó, y se estrelló a las pocas millas del despegue, en un campo cercano al aeropuerto. Murieron todos sus tripulantes. Aparte de Ritchie de 17 años, murieron aquel día Buddy Holly de 22, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson de 28, y el piloto Roger Peterson. Años después sería llamado aquel accidente: "El día en que murió la Música", según "American Pie", la balada de Don McLean. La tragedia de la música americana continuaría luego con la muerte del también pionero del Rock and Roll Eddie Cochran, en su primera gira a Inglaterra en 1960. Fue Cochran quien grabó "Three Stars" en homenaje a sus amigos y colegas Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, y The Big Bopper, una canción con una estrofa dedicada a cada uno de ellos, comenzando por Ritchie Valens. "...Ritchie, todos me llaman a mí sólo un chico, pero tú tenías sólo 17 años..."
Ritchie Valens fue enterrado en el San Fernando Mission Cemetery de Mission Hills, California.
Ritchie mereció una estrella en el Hollywood Walk of Fame, 6733 Hollywood Blvd - Hollywood, California, y en 2001 fue proclamado al Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Su labor pionera en la historia del Rock and Roll es recordada por el Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
En 1988, Ken Paquette, un fan de Wisconsin de la música de los 50, erigió un monumento en el campo donde se estrelló el avión, en acero, que representa una guitarra de metal, y 3 discos con los nombres de cada uno de los artistas que murieron en el accidente. Se encuentra en un sector privado, en el 315th Streety Gull Avenue, aproximadamente a 8 millas al norte de Clear Lake. También se realizó otro segundo monumento equivalente, en Riverside Ballroom in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Este fue inaugurado el 17 de julio de 2003.
So here it is! The really nice email I received from Bob (Ritchies Brother) and Joanie Morales
Bob was kind enough to ok me to put it on my site for everyone to see.
I love him! he's a really nice guy! Thank You Bob!
Date: Fri, 5 May 2006 15:03:29 EDT
To: gottaloveritchie@yahoo.com
Cindy...
We'd love to add you "officially" to our friend list, as you ARE already a
friend for life! Thanx again for all the emails and your
site is AWESOME! Thanx for putting Ritchies' memory in your heart and on your site!
Ignited with the Spirit to soar upon the wind Ignited by the dream of the Heart Ignited to stand tall and Proud As the song is shared by all
Could there be a new delight
As the Dawn awakes from her sleep Can we dance together as One Can we shine out with the joy of peace
Ignited by the Dream where the Spirit stands with Pride Ignited by the song as the Heart sings out into the night
The New Dawn Awakevs the Dream of the Spirit within For together we can Unite and sing the song upon the wind To ignite our Spirits together and sing the song of the wind
Could there be a New Tomorrow Could we Shine out From Today Could we Dance as a Nation with Love and Joy within Could we Share in the Freedom that Shines with the Stars above Could We dance with a New Horizon as are Hearts sing ever so Proud
Could there be a New Tomorrow Where all Nations Walk Hand in Hand Could we Shine out with the Spirit that Soars from within Could we Shower in the Dream that brings out Love Could we Dance in a New Tomorrow and hear the Song of Love
If we open up our Hearts and Open up our Eyes Could we truly Reflect upon the Dream of Life Could We Shine out from Within the Song from Above Could we Dance neath the Moon as the Stars shine Bright Above
Could we shine out for all with the dream of Peace and Love and Joy Could we all live in Harmony as all Nations Rejoice Could we Show the Love that was sent down from on high Could we Shine in a New Tomorrow as the Dream burns ever so Bright
HELLO THERE JUST STOPPING BY TO SAY HELLO.. CAN U FRIENDS HELP ME ON WHAT MONTH & YEAR I SHOULD PUT ON THIS PERSONAL LIC. PLATE..THANKS ..MR PEANUT FROM SALINAS CALI..HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE .....
"ITS FUNNY HOW PUTOS BE TALKING SHIT ABOUT US MEXICANS! "WABS" "WETBACKS" "IMIGRANTS" "ALIENS" "BEANERS" "LAZY ASSES" BLAH BLAH BLAH.. BUT LET ME TELL U CALL US WAT U WANNA CALL US SOMEDAY WE'RE GONNA RUN DIZ MUTHA FUCKER AGAIN.. CUZ WE OWNED DIZ PLACE BEFORE AND NO MATTER WAT WE STILL DO!! THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION ARE MEXICANS... WE'RE HARD WORKERS WE WORK FOR OUR SHIT... WE MAKE THAT GREEN PAPER NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES! YEAH U MIGHT SEE US FUCKEN SELLING "CORN" "PALETAS" "CHICHARRONES" "TAMALES" "NARANJAS" "FLOWERS" "CANDY" "DRUGS"... AND MORE U DONT FUCKEN SEE US ASKING FOR MONEY IN THE EXITS OF THE FREEWAY, OUTSIDE 7-11'S, OR FUCKEN PICKING UP CHANGE OUTSIDE THE DRIVE-THRU RESTARUANTS WHEN PEOPLE DROP THEIR MONEY!! ALL U CULEROS TALKING SHIT ON US KEEP UR FUCKEN WORDS "SWEET AND SOFT" CUZ SOMEDAY UR GONNA HAVE TO FUCKEN EAT THEM!!! IM JUST KEEPING IT REAL... THINK ABOUT IT MUTHA FUCKERS... NEXT TIME U GO TO A FAST FOOD LOOK WHOS MAKING UR FOOD! NEXT TIME SOMEONE DOES UR YARD, WHOS MAKING UR HOUSE LOOK PRETTY, NEXT TIME U WANT A TACO "AL PASTOR" CUZ I KNOW U PINCHES GUEROS LOVE EATING DAT, OR BURRITOS, LOOK ON WAT FOOD CATEGORY DAT FALLS IN! NEXT TIME U WANT A "CORONA" LOOK WHERE DAT SHIT IS MADE AT!!! IF U DONT SEND DIZ TO ALL YOUR MEXICAN FRIENDS OR FAMILA UR ASHAMED TO BE A MEXICAN.. WE FOR REAL WE TRUE YALL CANT CHANGE OUR FUCKIN WAY IF U A TRUE MEXICAN OR A TRUE PAISA, SEND THIS TO MEXICANS ONLY"