Valens, Ritchie
(1941–1959)
Valens, Ritchie * May 13, 1941 – † February 3, 1959Valens, RitchieRitchie Valens Richard Steven Valenzuela, known artistically as Ritchie Valens, was born in Pacoima, California, in the San Fernando Valley, to Joseph Steven Valenzuela and Concepción Reyes, music lovers who introduced their son to both Mexican folk music and the American big band and swing music of the World War II era. His parents encouraged him to learn to play the guitar, and throughout grade school he entertained his family…