Valens, Ritchie (1941–1959)

US singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Most famous for the songs ‘Donna’ (1958) and ‘La Bamba’ (1958), his rock and roll career was just starting when he was killed in a plane crash, with singers Buddy Holly and J P Richardson (the ‘Big Bopper’), at the age of 17.

Valens was born in Pacoima, California, and began singing as a child. In 1957 he joined the band the Silhouettes, and the following year he was given a recording contract by record producer Bob Keane on his Del-Fi record label. ‘Donna’, which he also wrote, sold more than 1 million copies in the USA and UK. He was on his second US tour when his plane crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa.

A film, La Bamba, based on his life story, was released in 1987. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.