Ritchie Valens was born on May 13, 1941

Ritchie Valens was born as Richard Steven Valenzuela on May 13th of 1941. He took the stage name Ritchie Valens in 1958.

He recorded & released "Donna" & La Bamba" in 1958 at the age of 17. Valens wrote "Donna" about a real girlfriend of his while "La Bamba" was a traditional tune turned into a rock song by Valens.

"Donna" was chosen as a "Great Song" by Mozart Breath.

Valens died before reaching his 18th birthday in a plane crash on February 3, 1959 that killed not only Valens but also the Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, and their pilot Roger Peterson.

Listen to this recording of Valens attempting to record "La Bamba" -