Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959) was best known by his professional name, Ritchie Valens.  He was a young, up and coming, American vocalist, songwriter, and accomplished guitarist. Valens was a rock and roll pioneer of the Chicano rock and roll movement. Valens' recording career lasted only eight short months. Unfortunately, his career and his, very young, life ended unexpectedly when he died in a plane crash.

During his brief stardom, Ritchie Valens had become well known and had several hits, most notably, La Bamba, which sold over a million records. He had rearranged and adapted the hit song from an old Mexican folk song. Valens transformed the song to an upbeat rock and roll rhythm, which turned out to be his claim to fame. The famous song had an unmistakable beat, and it became a huge hit in 1958. This distinction skyrocketed Valens to epic fame.