Ritchie Valens (Rock Singer) - Age, Birthday, Bio, Facts, Family, Net Worth, Height & More
David Wilson
Updated on February 21, 2026
Richard Steven Valenzuela, known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed in a plane crash eight months into his music career. Valens had several hits, most notably "La Bamba", which he had adapted from a Mexican folk song. Valens transformed the song into one with a rock rhythm and beat, and it became a hit in 1958, making Valens a pioneer of the Spanish-speaking rock and roll movement. He also had an American number-two hit with "Donna". On February 3, 1959, on what has become known as "The Day the Music Died", Valens died in a plane crash in Iowa, an accident that also claimed the lives of fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, as well as pilot Roger Peterson. Valens was 17 at the time of his death. In 2001, Valens was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
| Born | Richard Steven Valenzuela, May 13, 1941, Pacoima, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | February 3, 1959, Clear Lake, Iowa, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Plane crash |
| Resting place | San Fernando Mission Catholic Cemetery in Los Angeles, California |
| Other names | Ritchie Valens |
| Occupation | Guitarist, singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1957-1959 |
| Official Website |
Rock Singer Ritchie Valens was born in Pacolma, California, United States on May 13, 1941. She dies at the age of 17, on February 3, 1959.
Chicano rock pioneer who released the hit track "Song La Bamba". He sadly died in a historic plane tragedy, dubbed "The Day the Music Died".
All information about Ritchie Valens can be found in this post. It will clarify Ritchie Valens's info: biography, net worth, career, ability, dating and drama of Ritchie Valens...
Ritchie Valens was born in the Zodiac sign Taurus (The Bull), and 1941 is the year of the Chinese Zodiac Serpent (蛇).
Despite being natively left-handed, he learnt to play the guitar right-handed.
He died in the jet tragedy that also claimed the lives of Rock Singer The Big Bopper and Rock Singer Buddy Holly.
Connie Valenzuela, an actress, was his mother.
He influenced musicians such as Guitarist Carlos Santana.
Ritchie Valens's income mainly comes from the work that created her reputation: a rock singer. Networth of Ritchie Valens in 2024 is 1,000,000$+.
How tall is Ritchie Valens? At the age of 17, Ritchie Valens height is 5'7" (1.7m).
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Latest information about Ritchie Valens updated on March 16 2023.
