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.
Grave Location:
Section C, Lot 247, Grave 3.
When entering the cemetery from Sepulveda Boulevard, drive straight; the office building is on the right; Section C is on the left. The grave is just three rows in from the curb by number “247.”
The marker shows his real last name: Valenzuela, with his photo and song titles inscribed.
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
Ritchie Actually Had Another Head-Stone Prior To The One Now In-Place.
On The Former, There Was No Image Of Ritchie ( As There Is Now ) Along With His Mother ‘ Connie ‘ Who Is Also Interred Here.
The Prior Information Did Have His Name, His Date Of Birth And Date Of Death, Along With A Musical Bar That Read As:
” Come On Let’s Go ”
I Took A Photo Of This In 1963…. Only Ritchie Was Buried In The Plot Then….