Spanish 2 Famous Hispanic Biography Research Project

By facebooker_1652681944972338

  • Born Richard Steven Valenzuela

    Born Richard Steven Valenzuela
    Ritchie Valens Born Richard Steven Valenzuela in 1941
  • Period: to

    Ritchie Valens

    The life of Ritchie Valens.

  • Death of Joseph Steven Valenzuela

    Death of Joseph Steven Valenzuela
    January 8, 1952 Ritchie's father Joseph Steven Valenzuela died from diabetes-related complications.

  • First Band

    First Band
    April 20th1957 Ritchie accepted The Silhouettes invitation to join the band as guitarist and singer.

  • Signing With Del-Fi Records

    Signing With Del-Fi Records
    On May 9th 1958 Keane took Ritchie to his 'Gold Star Studios' in Hollywood, to record several songs including "Come On, Let's Go", also shortening the singer's name from “Valenzuela” to “Valens” and adding the "t" to “Richie”.

  • First Song Released

    First Song Released
    On July 9th 1958 "Come On, Let's Go" was released and which climbed to number 42 on the national charts, selling over 750,000 copies.

  • The Winter Dance Party Begins

    The Winter Dance Party Begins
    On January 23rd 1959 Ritchie begins the now-infamous "Winter Dance Party” tour along with Buddy Holly, Dion and The Belmonts, and J. P. Richardson.

  • The Day the Music Died

    The Day the Music Died
    The plane, a three-passenger Beechcraft Bonanza, departed for Fargo, North Dakota, and crashed shortly after takeoff in a snow storm. The crash killed rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson.