SO COOL!.. | Ritchie Valens - La Bamba FIRST TIME HEARING REACTION

[@niccolean]

Richie was one of the rockers who died in the plane crash that Don McLean is referring to in ‘The Day the Music Dies.’ This isn’t actually Richie, it’s a band called Los Lobos and the actor Lou Diamond Phillips. He played Richie in a movie about his life also called ‘La Bamba’.

[@anononnl]

Oh my! I didn't know that!

[@jackies5481]

'American Pie'

[@jacklewis5452]

@@tkmoore6057 ===Waylon Jennings popular? more like legendary.

[@marycarricaburu3683]

@@jacklewis5452 Maybe back then he was "just" popular? You are so correct about legendary.

[@Littleman91779]

They died in Clear Lake, Iowa. I live in Clear Lake and The Surf Ballroom was their last concert. The Surf is still here and looks the same from back then. They keep it up very nice and still have concerts there today. A memorial is set up at the crash site that people can visit just north of town

[@laurenmckee9623]

This isn’t Ritchie Valens’s version of the song-it’s a scene from the movie “La Bamba (which is a story of Valens’s rise to fame).” Los Lobos is the group performing the song. The actor playing Ritchie Valens is Lou Diamond Phillips. Believe me, this is by no means a criticism of either of you. Just some info, in case you want to check out the movie or the version that Ritchie Valens sings.

[@decal2756]

Beat me to it!

[@ledzepgirlnmful]

It's still a wonderful version tho!!

[@DSJ1967]

I was just going to say the same thing!

[@googlek1]

Lol... I was about to say the same... that's La Bamba the movie made in 1987... Actor Lou Diamond Phillips

[@gregorythomsen8332]

ditto. Please find the original.

[@kateritter5765]

Remember when you reacted to "American Pie"? The day the music died referred to the plane crash that took Richie Valens, Big Bopper and Buddy Holley. All sadly died February 3, 1959. You should cover Big Bopper (Chantilly Lace) and Buddy Holley (That'll Be the Day)

[@sundayze]

I think I remember they did Chantilly Lace not too long ago. Still haven't seen them react to Buddy Holley.

[@LynnaeaEmber]

I was in the 7th grade when we heard of the plane crash, That was a sad sad day.

[@cherylinman5873]

Buddy Holly is regarded as the artist who defined the traditional band lineup for rock ‘n’ roll: two guitars, bass and drums. Unlike most in that era, he wrote, recorded and produced his own material - and he was among the first musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

[@lisaschliff]

This song was a breakthrough for rock'n'roll: the first am radio hit in the Spanish language. It's actually a rocked-out version of a folkloric Mexican song. "To dance la Bamba, to dance La Bamba one needs a little bit of grace, for you and for me..." BTW, his last name, Valens, is a shortened version of Valenzuela.

[@JRPLawyeress1]

Ritchie Valens wrote his own music. This wasn’t his only hit. “Donna”, “Come On, Let’s Go”. He came on the music scene in 1958 and died in a private plane crash in 1959 at 17. Buddy Holly, another fantastic young (23 years) prolific songwriter, (“Peggy Sue”, “It’s So Easy”, “That’ll Be The Day”, and a number of others) and performer you should check out. I think they’d have both remained huge stars and would have been able to reinvent themselves through the years. You have to check out Buddy Holly. His songs are so fun. The Big Bopper, (24 years) a DJ, who had recently come out with hugely popular “Chantilly Lace” also died.

[@Simon-up2ud]

Correction Buddy Holly died age 22 and the Big Bopper died age 28. Ritchie Valens died age 17.

[@sinnombre-dn5rg]

Buddy Holly fue un gran músico, que creo que fue uno de los primeros que su género, a parte del rock n Roll, ya se empezó a hacer una género que más tarde se llamó Pop, fue una gran influencia para Los Beatles.

[@beverleyroper2203]

This is the movie La Bamba starring Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens (Richard Valenzuela) with the Latin group Los Lobos singing and playing all the music of Ritchie Valens.

[@leonardshevlin7260]

Ritchie's real name was Richard Steven Valenzuela. Little Richard was meant to be named Ricardo Wayne Penniman but Richard was recorded by mistake.

[@CVBASEBALLCARDCOLLECTOR]

Latin??? Chicano or East LA. Latin why you just call them LatinX. Sad.

[@escapingreality3306]

That's right Beverley. RSR should react to video of Los Lobos singing it. It includes the folk elements, and is my favourite version. It also has Lou Diamond Philips in the background (dressed very differently in casual clothes), but he does play the guitar at one point.

[@hellboundjeff666]

Great movie!!! Thanx for clarifying for them.

[@Laidahen]

Ritchie's biggest hit was, "Donna." The movie, "La Bamba," is about his life. Pretty good flick, and this is a clip from the movie.

[@brownie1341]

The movie was great! Lou Diamond Phillips did a wonderful job portraying Ritchie Valens. Now y'all need to find a video of Ritchie Valens for comparison. It will make you appreciate the portrayals in the movie. And it will make you want to see the movie!

[@choice12ozborne]

I don't know if this is a story or legend or a mixture. It either came from this movie or the Buddy Holly movie. Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly flip a coin to see who would get in which plane or something like that. Seems like Waylon Jennings lost the coin toss and had to go in a different route and the rest is history. Is that true or haven't got just part of the story

[@choice12ozborne]

His real name was Ritchie Valenzuela and he was Chicano-Latino. Long story short, they shortened his last name

[@hollybeat6901]

There is no video of Ritchie performing anything but 1 song, ooh my head in the movie Go, Johnny Go ..no other film exists

[@hollybeat6901]

Gary Busey had similar issues due to there being only 4 clips of Buddy Holly in existence

[@biguy617]

This movie makes me cry every time I watch it.

[@P-M-869]

Richie was told that singing in Spanish, wouldn't sell. It exploded on the scene and was a Major Hit. If you haven't check out Freddy Fender, you should. He would sing in both English and Spanish

[@tallmn1957]

Agree with Freddy Fender. Hell of a voice.

[@Querain]

I'm from Spain and when I was a girl in 70's we sang La Bamba usually so I thouht it was a traditional song from Mexico, till my 20s when I heared first time about Richie Valens. But imagine, this son traveled from USA to Spain from 50' to 70' and so on, because is a very known song nowadays. ❤

[@bletran]

Pues es un son jarocho de el estado de veracruz

[@jtoland2333]

It traveled the world and still sounds fresh, because its a kick ass song!

[@randytorres8211]

Richie Valens had several hits. "La Bamba" was adapted from a Mexican folk song and it became a hit in 1958. On February 3, 1959, on what has become known as "The Day the Music Died", Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash in Iowa. The plane crash also claimed the lives of fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J. P. "The Big Bopper"Richardson, as well as pilot Roger Peterson. Ritchie Valens was 17 at the time of the accident.

[@NightmareKhaos]

A horrible sad day in music

[@joannparker1977]

😢

[@brianmassey6614]

When you listened to American Pie, this is what the song meant when it sings about "The Day the Music Died"

[@justmeok0]

Such a talented bunch of people to passed all at once soo sad 😔

[@js0988]

Amazing to think he acheived more in just a year then Beiber will achieve in his entire lifetime.

[@brianbax6515]

Here is a fun fact about Richie Valens' connection with two of the reaction videos that you have done, Merle Haggard and Don Mclean’s “American Pie”. The repeatedly mentioned phrase "the day the music died" refers to the plane crash in 1959 that killed early rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, and ended the era of early rock and roll; this became the popular nickname for that crash. Keep smiling guys!

[@scottfrench4139]

It was merely part of "end(ing) the era of early rock and roll." Elvis went into the army, Chuck Berry went to jail, Little Richard found religion, Jerry Lee Lewis was ostracized over marrying his 13-year-old cousin, Eddie Cochrane died in a car crash. If not for the plane crash, who would know the Big Bopper today? Not in the conversation with Buddy Holly or Richie Valens. (I'm sure he would have preferred anonymity.)

[@meinok3662]

@@scottfrench4139 don't forget the connection to Waylon Jennings who gave up his seat on the plane., Knowing that The Big Bopper wouldn't be comfortable on the bus . And having joked with Buddy Holly that "I hope your ole plane crashes" Jennings feared for years that he has "jinxed" the fright.

[@Baldeson]

Merle Haggard supposedly lost his seat on the plane on a coin toss. He never would talk about it.

[@bryanCJC2105]

To this day, this song is still played at Latino parties!! Richie Valens is a Chicano icon and much beloved. He died at 17 in a plane crash just as his career was taking off with Buddy Holly and JP Richardson on what's known as "The Day the Music Died" immortalized by Don McLean in the song "American Pie".

[@StaceyMaeCattitudeCrafters]

JP aka The Big Bopper. His best known song was Chantilly Lace.

[@sylviafarese8837]

This song is from the 18th century and is a traditional song so I say it’s timeless. Much like Hay Unos Ojos which is a song my mother said her aunt would sing in while working in fields.

[@itsmedino]

I was looking through your subscriptions after rereading your comment for the "Baker Street" reaction and found Axanar. Thanks from a fellow Trek fan 🖖🖖

[@meltorme-ntor2933]

Amber, thank you for saying you want more Latin songs. Makes my heart happy! 🙂 I recommend Donato y Estefano singing "Sin ti" (without you). It was the first song I heard from them in the 90s and I was sold! Also, interesting (or sad?) fact, Ritchie Valens' real name was Ricardo Valenzuela. The record company wanted him, but, because he was Mexican, they didn't want to use that name, so they Anglicized it.

[@chuckwhite3176]

This video is taken from the 1987 film depicting Ritchie Valens life (nearly 30 years after the plane crash in 1959), so that's why it looks newer.

[@Mixolydio]

This version is an ‘80’s cover by Los Lobos, a monster of a band worthy of a deep dive. The music video/recorded version has a beautiful traditional acoustic instrumental breakdown at the end

[@willasacco9898]

Facts🤟

[@krisbrown6692]

Came here to say the same.

[@marycarricaburu3683]

I love Los Lobos! When I was a young woman, I thought Lou Diamond Phillips was soooo sexy.

[@hollyjoann]

This is from the movie about Ritchie Valens.

[@frankdtank7444]

Ditto on the Los Lobos dive especially anything off of their masterpiece album "Kiko".

[@mikefetterman6782]

This is from the 1980's movie, with Lou Diamond killing it. You did a reaction called "THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED' by Don McClean. That song is about Richie, the Big Bopper, and Buddy Holly all dying in a plane crash together leaving one concert on their way to the next city.

[@johnc1593]

I think Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on the plane for one of the musicians under the weather. Fate

[@meeting_meghan]

The Don McLean song is actually called American Pie.

[@bakilacat1]

Actually Los Lobos sang the version in La Bamba

[@gregorymoore2877]

@@johnc1593 Yep. Buddy and Waylon's last words to each other: (I think they got into an argument?) Buddy: "I hope your bus breaks down." Waylon: "Well, I hope your plane crashes." Waylon regretted those words for the rest of his life.

[@vincentsablan732]

Richie Valenzuela, shortened his name to "Valens" when he signed on to his record label. Management didn't think an "ethnic" name would would sell records. It was the 1950's and their target audience was American teens. You should probably give "Oh, Donna", or, "Come On, Let's Go" a listen... As others have mentioned this isn't Richie here. His version has an "oldies" feel. He was a teenager when he recorded it. A career cut short by a tragic plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and another artist nicknamed The Big Bopper.

[@nicoleb1581]

Well, he could have been Ricky Zuela😏

[@willdwyer6782]

Donna was the A-side of the single that climbed the charts to #2. La Bamba was the B-side.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

"A career cut short by a tragic plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and another artist nicknamed The Big Bopper." The "Day the Music Died." Richie had so much more to say and so much more to do. He might have been the greatest loss.

[@suicyco4life666]

@@ThePeaceableKingdom Interesting, i always figured Buddy Holly was the biggest loss of all. And i just figured everybody did.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

@@suicyco4life666 Well, you've got a point. I love the Big Bopper, but I kinda think he'd done what he was going to be remembered for. I can't picture his style in the later sixties or seventies. Buddy is a harder case. He was moving from rock 'n' roll towards a pop sound, and probably would have been good at it. It's just hard to estimate whether he'd be remembered more today for what came before or what came after if he had survived. *He was the most accomplished artist of the three by far.* But Richie was new and fresh as was breaking boundaries, uniting Hispanic culture with R&R in a way that hadn't been done before and had a lot of promise. And he was at the very start of fame, while Holly was in the middle and the Bopper was probably nearly at the end. Just my take...

[@shirleyklein1770]

This song is being played by the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL every time they win this season as a tribute to long time locker room assistant Joey Moss who had Down Syndrome and was employed by our hockey and football teams and much loved by everyone in our city. He passed away just over a year ago. It was his favourite song.

[@ElBuhoComputacionPublicidad]

La bamba es un son Jarocho, que es un género de música folklórica, del estado de Veracruz en México. Y Ritchie Valens la escucho y le gusto tanto, que hizo una adaptación, en 1958 y esta en el Ranking numero 345, de las 500 mejroes canciones, de todos los tiempos, segun la revista "Rolling Stone" La Bamba is a Son Jarocho, which is a genre of folk music, from the state of Veracruz in Mexico. Ritchie Valens heard it and liked it so much that he made an adaptation in 1958, and it is ranked number 345 in the list of the 500 best songs of all time, according to "Rolling Stone" magazine.

[@Xcris_crosX]

That's not Ritchie Valens, it's actor Lou Diamond Phillips portraying him for the movie "La Bamba". Please respect him by reacting to the real Rock n Roll artist, he's one of the three mentioned in the song American Pie. When Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and "The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash is when the music died

[@PRMillette]

Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells is a song you both will love.

[@robynmatheson7687]

Agree, but it must be the album version

[@angelscribbles2525]

Legendary. He took a Mexican folk song and turned it into rock and roll!

[@fredmila]

If you hear the original folk song, you would never think you could make a Rock'n Roll song out of it.

[@highpath4776]

Becomes VERY similar to Twist And Shout.

[@sweett8351]

Ritchie Valens “ Richard Steven Valenzuela” They record company made his change his name to appeal to a”whiter audience” Sad but, his star shined so bright and so fast! He deserved to go on longer. I’ve always wondered what else he could have created? He was still a child in my eyes to die to so young 🥺💔🎸🤗

[@BlackHatCinephile]

Lou Diamond Phillips played him in a movie. Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.

[@BlackHatCinephile]

I commented too early! LOLOL!🤣

[@TrashPandaActual]

That's Lou Diamond Phillips playing Ritchie Valens in the 1987 movie La Bamba. Also that's not Ritchie singing his original version. Y'all are listening to Los Lobos's cover of "La Bamba", but it's a really good cover. The movie and the soundtrack are both great.

[@sherribrock2726]

For a different side of Ritchie, listen to his song “Donna”. Also, the movie Labama is really good. It was funny when people actually try to sing this song when it played on the radio.

[@cherylinman5873]

Buddy Holly would be great to listen to. He is regarded as the artist who defined the traditional band lineup for rock ‘n’ roll: two guitars, bass and drums. Unlike most in that era, he wrote, recorded and produced his own material - and he was among the first musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

[@mikemuller6941]

Listen to Herb Albert and the tiajuana brass ! All kinds of horns

[@firebird7479]

The lead guitar on the Richie Valens track is performed by CAROL KAYE, a FEMALE STUDIO MUSICIAN who went on to play on thousands of hit records, TV commercials, TV show theme songs and motion picture soundtracks. She eventually became a bass player with a group of LA-based studio musicians affectionately known as "The Wrecking Crew", that performed the music for Sam Cooke, The Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, Nancy Sinatra, The Monkees, and so on. Among the musicians were the late Glen Campbell and Leon Russell. Carol plays the iconic bass sound on The Beach Boys Classic "Good Vibrations" and Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On". I've recommended her SEVERAL times for FEMALE FRIDAYS. There are several short documentaries on her.

[@J_Gamble]

Awesome. Thanks for the knowledge

[@dggydddy59]

Wow, I had no idea Carol played guitar on Valens' original La Bamba. I knew she started out on guitar but didn't know she was already recording in the 50's. Cheers!

[@raye402]

Have kept in touch with Carol Kaye she is known as the master of Bass and has been session musician on over 10000 tracks !! Brian Wilson worships her - I can’t speak to highly to her credit. 👍👏🇬🇧

[@J_Gamble]

@@dggydddy59 Same :)

[@dbradx]

Great choice you guys, as always! The neat part about this song is that despite being of Mexican descent, Ritchie was raised in the U.S. and didn't actually speak any Spanish when he recorded this. It's an old classic Mexican song that he learned phonetically and turned into a hit. Ritchie was one of the artists lost on the 'day the music died', the plane crash that took him, Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. The video isn't of Ritchie, it's from the 80s biopic that was made about him with Lou Diamond Phillips. As Ron Rodier points out, this version isn't the original, it's the Los Lobos cover done for the movie. Peace and love from Canada to you and the fam!

[@subwaygoddess1]

@David Brad, and that song is "American Pie." I believe Jordan and Amber reacted to it! ✌🎶💙

[@ronrodier9496]

Not the real deal. This is a cover by Los Lobos.

[@dbradx]

@@avidrdr5640 Damn, really? Now I feel dumb.

[@armynurseboy]

@@avidrdr5640 Ritchie was Chicano (Mexican American) not Venezuelan.

[@armynurseboy]

@@dbradx Ritchie Valens was Mexican-American not Venezuelan. His last name was Valenzuela, which may be confusing him....

[@davewildermuth7519]

So you've gotten ahold of a scene from the 1987 biopic about Ritchie Valens, called "La Bamba." It's actually the actor Lou Diamond Phillips singing, backed up by a great band called Los Lobos. It still captures him pretty well. His last name is pronounced with a short "a" sound; it's a shortening of his real last name, Valenzuela. Since you asked us to share songs from our own cultures and ancestries, I offer Next Stops, Songs of My People Edition: The Pogues, "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" (Ireland) Nena, "99 Luftballons" (Germany; for Female Friday) Aly Bain, "St Anne's Reel" (Scotland)

[@efcruzado]

Philips is lip syncing to Los Lobos lead singer.

[@davewildermuth7519]

The Wikipedia page implies that it's Phillips singing. But either way, you get a feel for what he would have been like on stage.

[@GaisSacredCreations]

@@davewildermuth7519 He was lip-syncing, From the Los Angeles Times, April 13th, 1987: "Throughout this biographical film about the short-lived career of ‘50s rock singer Ritchie Valens, Phillips appears on screen, in close-up shots, singing Valens’ songs. The voice is actually that of David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, the contemporary group that re-recorded most of Valens’ hits. But only Hidalgo and the film-making crew would know the words aren’t coming out of Phillips’ mouth. Phillips, a young actor with no musical background, obviously deserves credit for getting his lips and his guitar-strumming lined up with the music."

[@markwoehrle6860]

THis is David Hidalgo singing.

[@davewildermuth7519]

@@GaisSacredCreations I respect someone who cites their sources.

[@gregorythibeau153]

Ritchie valens along with Buddy Holly and Chuck berry set us on the road to modern rock. If all you did was to hear then you would have it all...Ritchie Valens didn't know Spanish which makes more incredible....Buddy Holly was the first to use other instruments like the Glockenspiel...He also used a set of violins I think it was the song Raining in my heart...Then you had Words Of Love which was done by the Beatles...It is said that he used an ordinary box to play as a drum...And the hick cup which many musicians tried to copy even the Beatles...I sincerly hope do more of him....Buddy did more then anyone else at the time

[@TalesOfTheRiverBank]

As others have said, this isn't Ritchie Valens. It is a scene from a film about him. However, I think it is a fair representation. This song is in my top ten list of all time best songs. To put it in perspective, Ritchie Valens was a mere 17 years old when he died along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. RIP. Even here in the UK people were absolutely mortified when that happened. 'The day the music died ' to quote from Don Maclean's 'American Pie', which refers to that tragic event. That song might also be a good song for you to review (if you haven't already done that!) 😊

[@josielouwho2607]

This is Lou Diamond Phillips playing Ritchie in the movie called La Bamba. Sadly, Ritchie died way too young. If you’re interested, check out the movie!

[@surlechapeau]

Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. Richardson Jr. (The Big Bopper) all died in a plane crash February 3, 1959. Known as 'the day the music died'. Don McLean's classic song "American Pie" is partially about how that day affected him.

[@herbyragan7801]

This is not Ritchie Valens. This is from the great biopic about Ritchie called “La Bamba” starring Lou Diamond Phillips. The artist performing the song is LOS LOBOS. They do the song justice, but if you want to hear the original, go here… kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKrGfaCNfp5qhMU

[@GinaGeeILuvu]

This was a really good rock-a-mentary... the movie called La Bamba from the eighties. That is Lou Diamond Phillips playing Ritchie Valens! Valens was a 50s rocker who died in a tragic plane crash in 1959 with the Big Bopper and the amazing Buddy Holly! Los Lobos is actually singing the song, La Bamba, made famous by Valens, in this clip! Check out the movie, its really good!

[@CVBASEBALLCARDCOLLECTOR]

HI guys you said you wanted Latin vid I suggest the Mexicano band MANA, or Colombia 🇨🇴 Juanes.

[@yunengdahl3675]

As others have pointed out, that's not Ritchie Valens version. That was a scene from a movie about his life.

[@francisseidel8014]

Definitely check the original out. You cannot replace the original. Ritchie died in a plane crash along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper on the "day that music died."

[@floridaboy6051]

Another great song in a foreign language is Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto. It is entirely in Japanese but was a huge hit on American radio in 1963. The largest selling foreign language song in history at the time.

[@michaelstach5744]

This is a great song! If you just listen to the song w/o understanding the words you get a very happy feel. Then if you watch a video with a translation you get a sense of the heartbreak behind it.

[@mattwhite2328]

Or Sukiyaki by 4PM

[@brianhvinden9290]

The English language version by A Taste of Honey done on early 80s is great as well. The song is beautiful and melancholy.

[@maryannhayase1798]

I suggest trying some Tony Sandler & Ralph Young: “Love is Blue”. They do combo music where Sandler will sing in French while Young sings In English.

[@kerryannestevenson6099]

I used to love this song when I was a teen in the North of England in the early sixties.We all went around singing it phonetically not understanding a word.

[@cjpatz]

You guys should actually do a reaction to this movie “LaBamba” (1987). Great biopic!

[@CVBASEBALLCARDCOLLECTOR]

MANA'S Mariposa!!! Or Juanes CamisA Negra.

[@_-.RAVEN.-_]

This is the movie version. The actor is not really singing. The movie La Bamba was amazing!! Please watch it!!!

[@deborahwhitney9427]

That's Lou Diamond Philips playing the part of Ritchie Valance in the movie LA Bamba. Could you please react to the original Ritchie Valance LA Bamba.

[@davidhunter801]

Los Lonely Boys would be great for you to check out, start with "Heaven"

[@chapo0815]

🤦🏽. ....los lobos... A clip from the movie... Lol.... If u really wanna see ritchie perform the only real footage of him performing us from an old movie called go johnny go... Look up go johnny go ritchie valens .. and youll see... Lol

[@patriciaewing8164]

La Bamba is the true story of Ritchie Valens, the first Latino rock star who died, tragically, in a plane crash in 1959 at the age of 19, along with two other pop music pioneers, The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly….

[@michaelplowman8674]

IIRC, Phillips tells the story of when filming for the movie was in its last days, Ritchie's sister was on set and had an emotional breakdown where all he could do was hold her as she cried for her brother. It was very moving. It's here on YT.

[@russellburress6240]

This was the first crossover rock and roll song featuring Spanish lyrics. It became a number one hit and made him a star

[@sundayze]

Cracked me up, Amber had no idea what he was saying....reminded me that this song was constantly on the radio and I remember a bunch of no espanol kids in a car singing along, knowing every syllable without having any idea what we were singing. This song was huge and went on for years. Others down below will tell you this was from the movie La Bamba with Lou Diamond Phillips which you should see. Just a glimpse of a great singer whose life was cut short.

[@thewarrior5486]

You need to watch the movie La Bamba. The story of Ritchie Valens. It's a tearjerker.

[@donaldschank2302]

As others said, this is Lpou Diamond Phillips playing Richie Valens in the movie and the music has been kicked up a notch to fit today's idea of what rock-and-roll should be. And Valens was only 17 when he died in the plane crash.

[@Roh_Echt]

O'Oh...as 1,136 others before me have likely replied; this isn't Ritchie Valens. The actor, Lou Diamond Phillips, sang this song in the movie. Buddy Holley, The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), Ritchie Valens, and their 21 yr-old pilot all died in a plane crash in 1959...Ritchie was just 17 yrs old.

[@lesd8657]

PLEASE! Do Ritchie's version it is so much better than the movie version.

[@TheTexasRedhead62]

This is Los Lobos.

[@armynurseboy]

Los Lonely Boys did the song "Heaven"....

[@cesarnarro6013]

@Rhonda Bothelio you're thinking about the Lonely Boys

[@TheTexasRedhead62]

@@cesarnarro6013 Oophs, got them mixed up. They're both great :D

[@shawnsnow2655]

This was the Los Lobos cover. Richie's release was much more stacatto and simple. Coco was a very fun film❤

[@philthemovieguy81]

You guys need to see the film La Bamba starring Lou Diamond Phillips. Incredible film!

[@danieldeanmasterfinisher4715]

His Real Name was Richard Steven Valenzuela, he was Mexican American but his name sounded too Spanish so they changed it to sound more American

[@pitapanda8319]

Lovely excerpt from the movie "La Bamba" - too bad you didn't react to an actual video of the real Ritchie. But I loved this movie.

[@etc7070]

Also from this movie and this segment featuring rock 'n roll stars in concert, Eddie Cochran ("Summertime Blues" was one of his hits) was played by Brian Setzer, who was in the '80s rockabilly revival band the Stray Cats. You have SO MUCH music to check out.

[@dianalee8967]

1959 was when Ritchie Valens made the record was Los Robles. Then he died in a plane crash and this movie with the actor singing what you're watching came out much later with Lou Diamond Phillips mouthing the words what she does very well. I'm not sure if the movie came out in the '70s not sure of that or '80s I'll ask Alex well I asked and she said 1987 there you are. Way later.

[@OmeNeil]

This is from the movie “La Bamba” from 1987. You took the wrong clip hahaha. Los Lobos is the band who playes this song.

[@robertgrambau3942]

Jim croce operator

[@thomasjones4570]

As others have said, this is Los Lobos performing the song for the movie, it is not Richie Valens. Also, this is actually his only "Latino" song. His other major hit was "Oh Donna" a love song to the girl he loved. Sadly he died in a plane crash not long after the release of his first album, dying along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. This accident led to a song called "American Pie" by Don McLean which is another classic song where he sings about "The day the music died". A great reaction day idea for you. Listen to Valens "Oh Donna", Buddy Holly's "That'll be the day" or "Everyday" if you want a lullaby type song and then The Big Boppers "Chantilly Lace". BTW, Buddy Holly was second only to Elvis at this time. He had many hit songs.

[@tinajustvig5921]

Great input for them to know the history!

[@christinegelabert1651]

Let's not forget one of the most beautiful instrumentals ever written~SLEEPWALK

[@patticrichton1135]

@@christinegelabert1651 Sleepwalk was done by Santos and Johnny.

[@davelanger]

It's because he didn't know Spanish and just learned this song phonetically.

[@maryhargett4721]

Interesting tidbit-Kris Kristofferson was supposed to be on the plane, but gave his seat to Ritchie Valens because Ritchie didn’t feel good

[@mikedapper9371]

This is actually a clip from the movie about him. That is Lou Diamond Phillips playing Ritchie and that is the group Los Lobos singing.

[@aviajarehema7393]

The video there was an excerpt from the movie "La Bamba" starring Lou Diamond Phillips.

[@vincentharris7854]

This is not Richie Valens. It is from the movie of Richie's life played Lou Diamond Phillips. Los Lobos is the band you're hearing.

[@davidhunter801]

Los Lobos is a great band, they always deliver in concert

[@kenpaden]

The actor singing is Lou Diamond Phillips in character as Ritchie Valens for the movie about him , that came out in 1987 called La Bamba. Ritchie hit big about 1958.

[@MaryDavidson911]

Oh yeah!!! Along the lines of this song would have to be Ritchie’s fantastic song “oh Donna“ man oh man if you happen to like the 50s sound this song will blow your mind. His last name is a “short a” sound. Like “Hal” “Val”

[@JesseOaks-ef9xn]

This is from the movie, La Bamba. It is the story of Ritchie Valens. This version was performed by Los Lobos. The actor playing Ritchie is Lew Diamond Philips, he is a Philippino. It is a great movie and Esai Morales played his brother, Bob.

[@nordeguzman]

That is not Richie Valens. That is actually Los Lobos. That is from the movie Labamba and the actor is Lou Diamond Phillips

[@MaryDavidson911]

Also this is from the movie about Ritchie Valens and this is actually Lou diamond Phillips portraying Ritchie. Which is why it looks like a newer video because it is maybe like the late 80s

[@jrmahan3405]

You should do a real Ritchie Valens song, Donna is a love song of his. It's got that 50's feel and sound.

[@timotc50]

E bertone touched on the fact that that this was from the movie "La Bamba " but another group you should explore is Los Lonely Boys, their big hit was "Heaven" released around '92. You'll love it!

[@Grithron2]

Really we shouldn't brush off a basic infant-level research failure...this isn't the original, so it's redundant. Btw no-one ever reacts to Come On Let's Go, do thy...

[@pamelamendoza6914]

That's actor Lou Diamond Phillips portraying Richie Valens in the movie La Bamba. The voice you hear are Los Lobos singing this movie version. Check out the real Richie Valens.

[@robertaistrope9602]

The saddest part of his life and career is that he was only 17 when the Plane crash occurred. But What a talent at 17 he already had 4 hits under his belt

[@Dedcalm1]

After you hear the real Ritchie Valens You also have to listen to a singer called the big Bopper he was the third singer in the Budfy Holly plane crash that Don McLean refers to in American Pie when he sings the day the music died. Try The Big Bopper - Chantilly Lace. R.I.P. Buddy Holly - 22 The Big Bopper -28 Ritchie Valens - 17

[@drdr76]

By the way, the movie La Bamba is one of the best sibling rivalry movies ever made in my opinion.

[@NavvyMom]

Agreed, but also wonder how true all that was or how much it was hollywooded up.

[@bruceroberts1713]

One other thing; Ritchie could not speek Spanish.

[@paintedjaguar]

And neither did Linda Ronstadt or Tex-Mex superstar Selena. It doesn't take anything away from either performance or artists to acknowlege that they are AMERICANS. And please don't tell all the fine classical muscians who happen to be Asian that they're celebratin' the wrong kultcha. I won't even get into opera or K-pop.

[@Lady_Embalmer007]

You should check out this movie, La Bamba. It’s a very inspiring film. From rags to riches so to speak true story

[@PEBray]

This is a clip from the movie "LA Bamba" about Richie Valens life staring Lou Diamond Phillips. Richie was only 17 when he died in a plane crash that also claimed the lives of fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. The event later became known as "The Day the Music Died" after singer-songwriter Don McLean referred to it as such in his 1971 song "American Pie". en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritchie_Valens

[@KevinSchmitt77]

Lue Diamond Phillips was 25 when he filmed the movie. Richie Valens was 17 when he died in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa with Buddy Holly and JP "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Richardson's big hit is "Chantilly Lace" Buddy Holly had multiple hits including: "Peggy Sue", "Everyday", "It's So Easy", and "True Love Ways" Holly was only in the music business for 18 months but he influenced everyone that came after him from the Beatles to Bob Dylan. Holly created a series of firsts - the first singer/songwriter of the rock'n'roll era, the first to use a lead/rhythm/bass/drums line-up, the first to use studio tricks like double-tracking, the first to use strings on a rock'n'roll record, and he was the first rock'n'roll star to die. The story of the "Winter Dance Party" tour and why the three entertainers wanted to fly that night is interesting yet sad and tragic. Rest in Peace, gentlemen, and let us enjoy your wonderful songs as a tribute to your lives.

[@hepchaos]

Well, there were a few foreign language hit songs back in the day besides "La Bamba". "Nel blu' dipinto di blu' (Volare')" by Domenico Modugno, "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto (a personal favorite), "Dominique" by Sister Luc-Gabrielle (The Singing Nun), to name a few.

[@conniemckeown4551]

Love Ritchie Valen but loved Lou Diamond Phillips playing him in the movie.

[@ianlonghurst7466]

If you want Latin, check out “The Gypsy Kings”. Try “Volare”

[@patrickrivas1726]

I think yall should do buddy holly. He influenced 90% of the artists you've reacted to.

[@jillosler9353]

Sadly not Ritchie Valens singing - this was from a movie about him. I just love Amber's genuine reaction to music she likes!!

[@hii-rr9uj]

this is the movie version about ritchie valens who was only 17 years old when he passed away in a plane crash in 1959. ritchie valens was so incredibly young, already making hits but unfortunately he was taken when he was just a baby. him along with buddy holly and the big bopper all died in the helicopter crash. i would recommend watching the movie la bamba to get a better insight

[@jamesmasters3316]

This video is a cut from the movie La Bamba that is Lou Diamond Phillips, who portrayed Richie Valans. Amber you really should watch the movie. It was made in the mid 80's. It's fun and informative of his life and rise to rock n' roll, and the tragedy if his death.

[@lc9685]

Ritchie valens was so awesome. Check out some Hawaii artists. Definitely have their own sound also. Pepper, the green, IZ. A lot of great music from there

[@mikecaetano]

Richie Valens other big hits included a bop titled "Come On Let's Go" and a ballad titled "Donna". Valens died in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly. Most of the Latin influence on American popular music before 1990 is from Mexico or Puerto Rico or Brazil. Here's an incomplete list of tunes from back then that you all might enjoy: Jose Feliciano "Feliz Navidad" and "Light My Fire", Santana "Oye Como Va" and "Samba Pa Ti", Pete Rodriguez "I Like It Like That", Malo "Suavecito", Question Mark and the Mysterians "96 Tears", Astrud Gilberto "The Girl From Ipanema", Mocedades "Eres Tú", Freddy Fender "Vaya Con Dios" and "Wasted Days And Wasted Nights" and "Before The Next Teardrop Falls", Dwight Yoakam "Streets of Bakersfield" (featuring Buck Owens and Flaco Jiménez), Los Lobos "Will the Wolf Survive" and "One Time One Night" and "La Pistola Y El Corazón".

[@benjaminscott8198]

I can't hear Come on Let's Go without thinking of the recording studio scene in La Bamba LMFAO.

[@michaelrodgers2504]

The plane crash that killed Richie Valens, Buddie Holly and the Big Bopper is what Don Mclean's song American Pie is about, it is the day the music died.

[@AnnieAnnieBuckwheatCakes]

This is an excellent cover & the movie does Richie Valenz justice. It would be fun for you to react to Richie's version. I very fun song.

[@jamesreilly606]

Any time after thanksgiving it’s time to play The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York.” It’s the quintessential Christmas song in the UK and Ireland.

[@31ghtyeighty-eighty13]

Absolutely 💯

[@robertjones705]

This is a reenactment from a biographical movie about him. This is an actor Lou Diamond Phillips

[@diablo4166]

Do The Warning "21st Century Blood" (the video)

[@StarOpal]

Whenever I think of the movie I just remember an interview with Ritchie's sister Connie. She was on set when they were filming Lou Diamond Phillips getting on the plane, she asked him if she could say something and started crying and saying "Why'd you go?" "Don't go!" and like got it all out as if he was Ritchie. I think Connie and Lou stayed in touch after the movie too.