Sometimes, the good ones really do leave too soon. Fans of the late Ritchie Valens often ask themselves how far the young artist would have gone had he not boarded that plane. In the earliest stages of ‘rock and roll’, Valens was right there amongst some of those who would go on to later become greats. It stands to reason, he most likely would have too. Though there will never be a way to know for sure, there’s still yet ways to keep his music alive and to introduce him to the new generations, some of whom may still live in ignorance.
Ritchie Valens, originally known as Richard Steven Valenzuela, quickly rose to fame upon releasing his hit single Come on, Let’s Go just days after recording it with producer Bob Keane. He was immediately in demand as an artist, dropping out of school to begin his career following the success of his initial radio play. His self-titled album has twelve songs and is home to his some of his biggest hits. His signature Chicano/Latin rock style still makes the album distinguishable amongst other musicians of his day, and quite frankly, of musicians of the present. With exceptional guitar prowess and controlled vocal ability, both of which he had as a teenager, Valens’ album is one of the best ways to go ‘way back’.
Ritchie Valens is full of classics that have since remained memorable.
Ritchie Valens is full of classics that have since remained memorable. There are rock tunes in more upbeat tempo, and slower love ballads that show Valens could really bring it stylistically as well vocally. His voice is fairly powerful for have recorded these tracks at such a young age, even able to hit notes that more practiced artists aren’t quite able to reach. The album’s strongest features are tracks such as Come On, Let’s Go, Donna which was dedicated to a his girlfriend, We Belong Together, and the song of which he’s most famous for, La Bamba. Come On, Let’s Go and La Bamba make for the most ‘rock’ part of the album with quick pacing, solid instrumental arrangement, and notorious guitar solos on the part of Valens. Donna and We Belong Together are love songs that give the album some much needed shakeup, Valens able to show off the skill in his pitch and range. Every track is produced with a ‘less is more’ approach so as to insure Valens’ voice and guitar were the primacy of the project.
Valens’ untimely passing is often referred to as “The Day Music Died”. At just seventeen years old, on a US tour selling out shows, everything came to end on one fatal evening. It’s impossible to know what he would’ve gone on to become. All that’s left is what remains, though fortunately anyone with an internet connection can stream his music in top tier quality. Take an hour to reminisce, or if late to the party, to be introduced to one of the most legendary musicians to ever pick up a guitar and sing into the mic.
