The crash killed all three passengers and pilot Roger Peterson instantly upon impact. While the demand for Valens records has grown, his fans and relatives have been clamoring for greater recognition of his accomplishments. The woman, Diane Olson, showed up at Valens' funeral and told his family they'd been engaged. But do you know that Keane presented me with a bill of $4,000 for Ritchies funeral? But her absence failed to bother most of the 200 lovers of rock n roll who gathered around noon on Hollywood Boulevard. Deejays began playing a sappy spinoff song about her loss, "Letter to Donna" by a group called the Kittens. The Valens familys on-screen counterparts were also at the screening: Lou Diamond Phillips, who plays Ritchie; Rosana De Soto, who is seen as Connie Valenzuela, and Esai Morales, who portrays the jealous half-brother, Bob Morales--the role that is pivotal in the film. I wanted to see more about my brother Ritchies career. The tour conditions were miserable. BOB MORALES - Ritchie Valen's Older Brother Full interview by Sal Guitarez at Pacoima Jr. High 1985 Show more Show more Donna And Peggy Sue, Buddy Holly & Ritchie Valens Volk 2.6M views 16. He called her regularly from the road, sometimes mentioning marriage, but she never really believed they would wed. "I thought he'd get really really famous and that would be that. Richard Steven Valenzuela was born outside of Los Angeles in 1941. Ritchie and Donna dated in high school, and their romance was portrayed in the 1987 biopic La Bamba.Although Movie Donna was more demure, according to The Washington Post, who interviewed the real Donna (who now goes by Donna Fox-Coots), real-life Donna had an "independent streak" that led her to date Ritchie.Donna's father didn't approve of the relationship, because, remember, this was the . As of 2022, she is 71 years old. Birthdate: May 13, 1941 Family: Parents: Joseph Steve and Concepcion (Connie) Reyes Valenzuela, brothers Robert (Bobby) and Mario, sisters, Connie and Irma. Her mother, Concepcion died on 18 October 1987in Santa Cruz, Californiaat the age of 72. . He was never too busy for us. "I asked if she dated Ritchie and she said yes. Still, Are . Advertisement. I got an insurance policy on his life. (Later, she collected double indemnity on that policy. 2 minutes 37 seconds 20.5M. I feel kind of silly. Roberto Bob Morales, Ritchie Valens, Connie Lemos, Irma Norton, and Mario Ramirez are the names of Concepcion Valenzuelas children. She has never forgiven him for his "bigoted" rejection of Valens or for the recording deal he pressured her into after the singer's death. WATSONVILLE, Calif. . Her father was buried on 12 January at Holy Cross Cemetery in Inglewood. About Concepcion Valenzuela. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens' recording career lasted only eight months. During the summer of 1957 in Northern California, Richard Valenzuela (Lou Diamond Phillips) is a 16-year old Mexican-American teenager who lives with his mother Connie Valenzuela (Rosanna DeSoto) and his younger siblings. She received more than 8,000 lettersafter a fan magazine printed her address. The preview was given by Columbia Pictures to herald the nationwide opening of the film in English and Spanish this week. While we try to make this information as accurate and useful as possible, you should always consult a lawyer to discuss the application of the law to your specific circumstances. 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CITRUS HEIGHTS, CALIF. -- The first hint Donna Ludwig had that she might become a rock 'n' roll legend came on a bright October day in 1958. He saved many animated gels from Walt Disneys Buena Vistas studios when he worked briefly as a garbage collector, he said. She moved in with his sister Connie, but disappeared two months later. Ritchie January 1959, The Winter Dance Party Tour, MN. she says, totally absorbed. Not only were the steamy encounters between her and Valens deleted, but he is portrayed by actor Lou Diamond Phillips as a sensitive, caring young man who is constantly teased by his older brother Bob about his sexual innocence. Updates? They always met between classes in the hallways at school. I still remember the first time we heard Ritchie sing on the radio, the mother of the late Latino rock n roller Ritchie Valens recalled about that distant day, almost 30 years ago. Mark Montalbn: Who is Ricardo Montalbns son? 60. So why would Peterson make the flight? . Many people couldnt believe that mere pilot error caused the death of three rock superstars. Omissions? At the end of 1987, all music publishing rights for Valens compositions were to go to Richies mother. In the spring, the farmer over whose field the plane had crashed found a gun when all the snow had melted. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, . In the winter of 1959, Richie Valens was traveling the Midwest on a rock and roll tour called The Winter Dance Party. Also on the tour were Buddy Holly, with his backup band including Tommy Allsup, Waylon Jennings and Carl Bunch and The Big Bopper. He was a pioneer of Rock' n' Roll and well known as the founding father of the Chicano rock movement. The film stars honorary Latino Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens (born Richard Valenzuela), an American singer/songwriter/guitarist who broke through the rock 'n' roll ranks to become one . His family is poor, and he works as a farm worker after school. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It just upsets me too much." As his career took off, he changed his name to Ritchie Valens. ", She never had to file a lawsuit, and she is very happy with the way "La Bamba" turned out. Fox-Coots consented to sing the songs, she says, but only after a contract was drawn up ensuring that her share of the royalties would go to Valens' mother. (Here are selected photos on this topic, but full relevance is not guaranteed.) ", Instead of making her feel special, being the real Donna just as often embarrassed her. Organizers said Ludwig-Coots had been invited to attend the ceremony. Concepcion Valenzuela was an actress and the mother of the late guitarist, singer, and songwriter Richard Steven Valenzuela, known professionally as Ritchie Valens. A few days before the Aeronautics Board investigation report came out, Dwyers insurance company settled with Richies mother for $75,000 $25,000 each for Richie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. Ritchie valens . . Connie Lemos is the sister of Ritchie Valens. At age 16, he got an invitation to be part of a local band, The Silhouettes, where he was a guitarist, and later the main vocalist. I felt very confident having you by my side when I started my business. Mrs. "She's certainly got a story to tell. The day later became known as The Day the Music Died. Ritchie Valens mother shook her head. I tire easily from a recent operation I had. Ritchie was only seventeen. Her independent streak gave her the gumption to date Valens against the vehement opposition of her father. When the Aeronautics Board investigation report came out, it attributed the cause of the crash to pilot error. Valens left a small legacy of recordings, but his compositions (often based on only three or four chords), exciting guitar style, emotional singing, and stylistic versatility influenced generations of rock musicians. Youngest of all was a rising star of Chicano rock Latin Rock and Roll Ritchie Valens. Legacy. I guess we didnt realize that it was going to be about both Bob and Ritchie. Even the very young--who only know Valens music from oldies radio stations--professed their love. she left school in the sixth grade to help support her brothers and sisters. Bob Morales Was the Elder Half-Brother of Ritchie Valens, The Late Chicano Rock Star Roberto Bob Morales was born on the 9th of March 1937 in Los Angeles, California. He was eight months into his music career. Use what you have. Thank you to family friend Peterson David for his assistance in writing the biographies for the family. Mama believed that if someone was born impoverished, as she was, they Connie Lemos: Facts About Ritchie Valens sister, Anne Robin Morrison- Truth About Jim Morrisons sister, Anita H Wisbey: Facts About Larry Lambs Ex-wife, Stella Huston: Facts About Danny Hustons Daughter, Alexandra Danielle Yeaggy: Facts About Melody Thomas Scotts Daughter, Emilia Merkell: Everything About Patsy Palmers Daughter. He was like my mom, dad or best friend. . He was in a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Donna Ludwig from 1957 until his death. Ritchie Valens passed away on February 3, 1959 at 17 years old. The performers actually started fires in trash cans on the bus just to keep warm. He never was able to sell it. Net Worth: $500 . . And they said, Well, more or less, but its a story about two brothers now.. ", "He wanted to know all about Ritchie," recalls Fox-Coots, who accompanied Presley to a penthouse party at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. We were so happy we were referred to Abby. No matter, said Frank Arteaga, who hitchhiked from Durango, Colo., for the occasion. It's Ritchie you knew, not Lou Diamond!' Oh Donna, oh Donna . Connie Lemos: Facts About Ritchie Valens sister, Milton Augustine Williams jr- Truth About Vanessa Williams father, Nellie Stone Fewings: Facts About Nancy Carrolls Daughter With Jo Stone-Fewings, Isabella Patricia Phillips, Lou Diamond Phillips daughter, Danny Keough: Everything About Lisa Marie Presleys Ex-husband, James Katz- Facts About Jennifer Greys brother, Devin Hervey: Facts About Vanessa Williams son, Emilia Merkell: Everything About Patsy Palmers Daughter. The world didn't learn that a real-life Donna had inspired the classic teen-age lament, which sold almost a million copies in the late '50s, until five months later when the 17-year-old Valens died in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.