
How old is Connie Valenzuela now?
Connie Valenzuela was born on October 6, 1915 as Concepcion Reyes. She was an actress, known for Gotta Travel On: Remembering When the Music Died (2015) and The Ritchie Valens Story (2002). She died on October 18, 1987 in Watsonville, California, USA.
When did Ritchie Valens mother die?
She was an actress, known for Gotta Travel On: Remembering When the Music Died (2015), The Ritchie Valens Story (2002) and La Bamba on Location (1987). She died on October 18, 1987 in Watsonville, California, USA. Mother of Ritchie Valens. Is portrayed by Rosanna DeSoto in La Bamba (1987).
What happened to Valenzuela from La Bamba?
Valens, whose overnight climb to success was chronicled in this year’s hit movie ″La Bamba,″ was killed in an Iowa plane crash in 1959 at the age of 17 along with Buddy Holly and J.P. Richardson, also known as the Big Bopper. Valenzuela died Sunday at Watsonville Community Hospital.
How old was Linda Valens when she died?
She was 72. Valens, whose overnight climb to success was chronicled in this year’s hit movie ″La Bamba,″ was killed in an Iowa plane crash in 1959 at the age of 17 along with Buddy Holly and J.P. Richardson, also known as the Big Bopper. Valenzuela died Sunday at Watsonville Community Hospital.

What happened to Bob Morales?
Bob Morales was 21 years old when his famous younger brother, Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash. After his brother's death, Morales went on a downward spiral after turning to alcohol. After his recovery, he successfully beat prostate cancer.
Did Donna go to Ritchie Valens funeral?
The woman, Diane Olson, showed up at Valens' funeral and told his family they'd been engaged.
What happened to Ritchie Valens mother?
— CONNIE VALENZUELA, 72, the mother of 1950s rock singer Ritchie Valens whose overnight climb to fame was chronicled this year in the hit movie La Bamba, died Sunday of an apparent heart attack. Valenzuela had worked as a waitress, a farm worker, a bartender and a housecleaner.
What was Ritchie Valens worth when he died?
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Ritchie Valens passed away on February 3, 1959 at 17 years old....Ritchie Valens Net Worth.Net Worth:$500 ThousandProfession:Singer, Guitarist, SongwriterNationality:United States of America3 more rows
How old was Ritchie when died?
17 years (1941–1959)Ritchie Valens / Age at death
Who did not get on the plane the day the music died?
Also, Dion DiMucci (of Dion and the Belmonts) couldn't afford the $36 cost, so he also decided not to board the plane.
What happened Connie Valenzuela?
She was an actress, known for Gotta Travel on: Remembering When the Music Died (2015), The Ritchie Valens Story (2002) and La Bamba on Location (1987). She died on October 18, 1987 in Watsonville, California, USA.
Is Rosie Morales still alive?
Rosie Morales was born on December 19, 1931 and passed away on July 9, 2016 in Houston, TX and is under the care of.
Who was supposed to be on the plane with Buddy Holly when it crashed?
Determined to avoid a repeat of the same misery, Holly rented a small, private plane to get him to the next stop on his tour. But there were only three seats aside from the one for the pilot. So, Holly picked Jennings and another bandmate to go along with him on the flight.
What is Buddy Holly's estate worth today?
Buddy Holly Net WorthNet Worth:$1 MillionGender:MaleHeight:5 ft 11 in (1.82 m)Profession:Singer-songwriter, Musician, Record producerNationality:United States of America1 more row
Did Bob Morales marry Rosie?
Bob Morales: Wife, Marriage He married his first wife, Rosie Caballero, after dating her for a long period of time. Bo was a child when he fell in love with Rosie. Bob met her for the first time in North Carolina. He and Rosie have seven children together: Brenda (Daughter), Robert, Nora, Richard, Jerry, and Barbara.
Where is Ritchie Valens family now?
Originally from Los Angeles, Valens was the second of five children, including brother Bob Morales, younger sisters Connie and Irma, and younger brother Mario Ramirez. Connie, who was 8 years old at the time of the crash, now lives in Okoboji, Iowa.
Why did Ritchie Valens write Donna?
"Donna" is a song written by Ritchie Valens, featuring the '50s progression. The song was released in 1958 on Del-Fi Records. Written as a tribute to his high school sweetheart Donna Ludwig, it was Valens' highest-charting single, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the following year.
How old would Buddy Holly be if he was alive today?
85 years oldHow old would Buddy Holly be if he was alive today? As of today, February 2, 2020, Buddy Holly would be 85 years old if he had survived the crash. He would be turning 86 this coming September.
Where is Ritchie Valens family now?
Originally from Los Angeles, Valens was the second of five children, including brother Bob Morales, younger sisters Connie and Irma, and younger brother Mario Ramirez. Connie, who was 8 years old at the time of the crash, now lives in Okoboji, Iowa.
What ethnicity was Ritchie Valens?
Valens grew up in suburban Los Angeles in a family of Mexican-Indian extraction.
What happened to Ritchie Valens?
The story of Ritchie Valens ' life is tragic: right when the musical prodigy's career was taking off, the day "the music died," happened. A plane crash in Iowa claimed the lives of pilot Roger Peterson, Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson, and Ritchie Valens. Valens, who became a hit sensation with his track "La La Bamba" and was immortalized in the film of the same name, was only 17 when he died. His brother Bob Morales became a local legend in his own right, but what happened to him?
Who is Ritchie Valens' mom?
Ritchie Valens' mom, Connie Valenzuela, passed in 1987. Ritchie's death left the world in shock. In fact, songs still reference "The day the music died" even today, leaving Valens' family to carry on his legacy. Connie's life wasn't an easy one: she was employed as a farm worker, a waitress, a bartender, and a house cleaner.
What happened to Ritchie Valens' brother, Bob Morales?
The man rocked a mohawk, wore tattered clothing and leather motorcycle jackets , and almost always had a joint in his hand, but his "tough guy" outer persona belied his true nature: he was all about affection, something he took to heart.
What songs did Ritchie Valens cover?
With hits like their rock-and-roll cover of "La Bamba," along with "Come On, Let's Go, " and "Donna, " Ritchie Valens was a bonafide star. Article continues below advertisement. Source: Twitter.
Was Valens' brother in a car accident?
He loved speeding down California highways and despite not having a driver's license the last 25 years of his life, was never in a major accident.
How old was Ritchie Valens when he died?
Sadly, Valens is also one of music's biggest "what could have been" stories — he died at age 17 while still a rising success. He didn't have the chance to record all that much music, but what he did make would cement his status as an American musical legend. Here's a look into the tragically brief life of Ritchie Valens.
What song did Ritchie Valens sing in 1959?
In 1959, Ritchie Valens peaked commercially and artistically with two extremely successful singles. One of them was the rollicking, hard-charging folk/rock fusion tune "La Bamba," sung completely in Spanish." The other was completely different — "Donna," a sweetly crooned teen-idol type love song, performed in English, suitable for slow-dancing. The latter now ranks in the pop music canon of songs named after women, alongside Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue," the Knack's "My Sharona," and Toto's "Rosanna." "Donna" is also about a real person, a teenager named Donna Ludwig, that Valens had dated before he found success as a rock star.
What was Ritchie Valens famous for?
Ritchie Valens was one of rock n' roll's earliest and most promising stars. A pop music titan while still just a teenager, he emerged in 1958 as a talent to be reckoned with, combining a voice that was at turns soulful and peppy with a preternatural talent for playing the guitar with precision and speed. By early 1959, Valens had shown off his skills with three highly varied singles — the ultra-catchy and breezy "Come On, Let's Go," the restrained torch ballad "Donna," and "La Bamba," a shredding, blistering take on an old folk song the Mexican-American musician learned in childhood that became one of the first and biggest songs not performed in English to hit big in the United States.#N#Sadly, Valens is also one of music's biggest "what could have been" stories — he died at age 17 while still a rising success. He didn't have the chance to record all that much music, but what he did make would cement his status as an American musical legend. Here's a look into the tragically brief life of Ritchie Valens.
Where did Ritchie Valens go to school?
Valens attended school at Pacoima Junior High School near Los Angeles, which sat under a flight path. On Jan. 31, 1957, two planes collided mid-air, sending one plummeting to the ground, crashing into the junior high's grounds. Three students were killed that day, and another 90 sustained injuries. Not among them was Valens, who was absent from school that day to attend a burial service for his recently deceased grandfather. "If we hadn't gone to my grandfather's funeral, Ritchie would have been out there, in the playground," the singer's brother, Bob Valenzuela, said in a retrospective about the film La Bamba. "My grandfather's death saved Ritchie's life."
Where did Buddy Holly die?
In February 1959, he died with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper when their small plane crashed into a farmer's field near Clear Lake, Iowa. According to Atlas Obscura, that's still private land, but it's also the site of a modest guitar statue, put up in 1988, shortly after the release of the Valens biopic La Bamba .
Who played Ritchie Valens in La Bamba?
In the film, Valens (portrayed by Lou Diamond Phillips) is head over heels in love with girlfriend Donna Ludwig (Danielle Von Zerneck), and he records the moony love song "Donna" in her honor. However, Valens' relatives couldn't recall having ever met her, and the musician's manager and champion, Bob Keane, didn't know her very well either. "I remember Ritchie saying he'd written this song for his girl, Donna, but I never heard anything else about her."
Who made La Bamba?
Ritchie Valens' family was extremely involved in the making of La Bamba. La Bamba producer Daniel Valdez didn't want to make the movie without the blessing of the Ritchie Valens family. The Valenzuelas approved of the project, and filmmakers thanked them by casting several family members in small roles.
How old was Ritchie Valens when he died?
Ritchie Valens was only seventeen when he died, his legacy was based primarily on "Donna" and "La Bamba.". popular with teenagers. At the time of his death, his hard rocking style was being phased out in favor of teen idols like Fabian and Frankie Avalon.
Where did Ritchie and Connie move to?
Connie moved into the house on Filmore with her oldest son Robert, and her two young daughters Connie and Irma. Because the house was small, Ritchie was ...
What song did Valens write for his high school sweetheart?
In October, after a short tour, Valens began another recording session. "Donna" the next record was a ballad Valens had written for his high school sweetheart. The flip side was "La Bamba" a reworking of a traditional Mexican folk song of the same name.
When was Ritchie Valens inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Ritchie Valens was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001
When did Buddy Holly and Valens appear on Dick Clark Show?
a teen movie. He appeared on "The Dick Clark Show" on December 27. On January 23, 1959 , Valens joined Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Dion and the Belmonts for the "Winter Dance Party" tour of the Upper Midwest.
Who is Ritchie Valens' maternal grandmother?
Josefa was the daughter of Francisco López and Concepción Ocuna. Ritchie’s maternal grandmother was Refugia Lopez (the daughter of Refugio López and Eduviges Yáñez). Ritchie’s great-grandfather Refugio was the son of Francisco López and Beatriz. Ritchie Valens was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
Who is Ritchie Valens' father?
Father of Ritchie Valens. Brother of Lorenzo Valenzuela and Len Valenzuela. Ritchie Valens was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was known for being a rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement. He was the son of Joseph Steven Valenzuela and Beatrice (later Concepcion) Reyes.
How did Ritchie Valens die?
Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, in Mason City, Iowa, and the country lost one of its most talented singers. He had four siblings, most notably his older brother, Bob Morales, who was portrayed as a bike riding enthusiast in the 1987 movie, La Bamba.
How old was Morales when Valens died?
Morales was just 21 years old when Valens died, and he took it hard. By his own admission, Morales still finds it very difficult to sit and watch La Bamba, which is about him and his brother. He once said, “You’re watching the movie. I’m watching the real thing. It still gets to me.”.
Who is Bob Morales?
Bob Morales is the older brother of late 1950s singing sensation, Ritchie Valens. The rock ‘n’ roll pioneer was one of the first exponents of the Chicano rock movement with several hit songs like “La Bamba,” “Come On, Let’s Go,” “Donna,” and “Little Girl.”
Who is Ritchie Valens' brother?
As long as people remember Ritchie Valens and his music, they will also remember his older brother, Bob Morales.
Is Bob Morales still alive?
Considering he is at least in his late 70s, many are wondering if he is still alive. Though he’s kept himself below the radar for many years , there have been no reports on Bob Morales’ death.
Why was Valenzuela not at school?
He was not at school that day because he was attending the funeral of his grandfather. Recurring nightmares of the disaster led to Valens' fear of flying.
How did Ritchie Valens die?
A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed in a plane crash eight months into his recording career. Valens had several hits, most notably " La Bamba ", ...
How old was Valens in La Bamba?
Valens has been the subject of several biopic films, including the 1987 film La Bamba. Primarily set in 1957–1959, it depicted Valens from age 16 to 17. It introduced Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens. Los Lobos performed most of the music in the film.
Where is Ritchie Valens Memorial Highway?
A section of the Interstate 5 Freeway in the northeast San Fernando Valley has been named after Valens. The Ritchie Valens Memorial Highway is located between the 170 and 118 freeways. On August 25, 2018, a celebration was held in his honor to commemorate his legacy.
What was the last song that Valens sang?
Valens's next record, a double A-side, the final record to be released in his lifetime, had the song "Donna" (written about a real girlfriend Donna Ludwig) coupled with " La Bamba ".
How much did the Valens star cost?
On May 11, 1990, a star bearing his name was unveiled on the Hollywood walk of fame. The star cost $3,500, which was paid for with money raised in his name by family and friends.
Where is the grave of Valens?
Grave of Valens and his mother Concepcion at San Fernando Mission Cemetery. After the February 2, 1959, performance in Clear Lake, Iowa (which ended around midnight), Holly, Richardson, and Valens flew out of the Mason City airport in a small plane that Holly had chartered.
