San Fernando Mission Cemetery

Image Via Findagrave

Buried here:

Richard Steven Valenzuela

Better known as Ritchie Valens, he was a true early Rock and Roll pioneer, and a forefather of Chicano rock. Ritchie’s recording career lasted only a few months, during this time he had several hits, most notably “La Bamba” and “Donna” which were both sides of a single record that sold over one million copies, and was awarded a Gold Disc.

On February 3, 1959, on what has become known as “The Day the Music Died“, Ritchie died in a plane crash in Iowa, that also claimed the lives of Buddy Holly and J. P. Richardson, who was known as “The Big Bopper”. Ritchie was only 17 years old.

Ritchie Valens Discography

1959 – Ritchie Valens
1959 – Ritchie
1960 – In Concert at Pacoima Jr. High

San Fernando Mission Cemetery
11160 Stranwood Avenue
Mission Hills CA 91345