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Ritchie Valens (born Richard Steven Valenzuela; May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959) was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter and guitarist.

• Birth name: Richard Steven Valenzuela
• Born: May 13, 1941
• Origin: Pacoima, California, United States
• Died: February 3, 1959 (aged 17) Grant Township, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States
• Genres: Rock and roll, chicano rock
• Occupations: Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist
• Instruments: Guitar, vocals
• Years active: 1957–1959
• Labels: Del-Fi Records
• Website: www.ritchievalens.com

Read more about Ritchie Valens at Wikipedia or at the Internet Movie Database

Surf Ballroom remembers Buddy Holly, 'day the music died'
USA Today Music, 2012-02-01 11:00:00
Music fans gather each February in Clear Lake, Iowa's Surf Ballroom to remember Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.

Iowa's historic Surf Ballroom is 'a temple of rock 'n' roll'
USA Today Music, 2012-01-30 22:08:56
Music fans gather each February in Clear Lake, Iowa's Surf Ballroom to remember Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper

Video Tribute: Remembering 'The Day The Music Died'
LAist - News from LA, 2011-02-03 23:30:00
February 3rd, immortalized in Don McLean's 1972 Billboard topper American Pie as "The Day the Music Died," refers to cultural despondency over the tragic loss of 22-year-old Buddy Holly, Pacoima's 17-year-old Ritchie Valens, and 28-year-old J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson who died in an icy, Iowa plane crash on ...