Ritchie Valens Ringtones

About Ritchie ValensRitchie Valens - real name Richard Steven Velanzuela - died at the tragically young age of only 17 in 1959, yet remains a noted musician and household name throughout the US and Europe. Single La Bamba has been the subject of numerous covers over the years, though it actually started life as the b-side to US number two hit Donna. Having started out on a two-string guitar playing on his front porch, Richie later became so proficient he was in high demand at his school and was signed off the back of his first professional audition. Valens then quit high school to concentrate on his musical career, and released ten singles before dying when his small plane crashed outside his hometown in Iowa. A heartfelt tribute remains at the crash site to this day, while Led Zeppelin have since credited Valens as the inspiration for 'Boogie With Stu'.