Birthday Celebration Honors Ritchie Valens

Pacoima’s own rock ‘n’ roll legend, Ritchie Valens, will be remembered Saturday1 at a special birthday celebration to include carnival rides, games, food and music performed by relatives of the late singer-guitarist.

The event, sponsor by the office of Los Angeles Councilman Richard Alarcon, who represents the area, will be held at the former Paxton Park & Recreation Center, which the council renamed Ritchie Valens Park in 1994.

Valens, born Richard Valenzuela on May 13, 1941, rocketed to fame in the late 1950s and died at the age of 17 along with fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson in a 1959 plane crash.

Valens became a teen heart-throb with such pop hits as “Donna” and “Come On, Let’s Go,” but he is probably best remembered for the smash song “La Bamba.”

Saturday’s events will include an exhibit displaying some of Valens’ personal effects and concert memorabilia, and performances by several bands, including one led by Valens’ nephew and another group led by Valens’ brother, said Hector Lopez, a legislative deputy in Alarcon’s office. Aztec and folkloric dancers will perform along with mariachis.

“We’re also trying to show support to get Ritchie’s name in the rock hall of fame,” Lopez said.

Valens received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990 after the movie “La Bamba,” starring Lou Diamond Phillips, recounted his life. The U.S. Postal Service also issued a stamp imprinted with Valens’ likeness.