About This Item
Ritchie Valens was one of leading lights in what became known as the Chicano style of rock - music from the Mexican-American community of the USA, often sung in Spanish and heavily influenced by R&B, and often with a Latin flavour. He is also, of course, well-known for more tragic reasons, namely that he was one of the three rock 'n' roll stars along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper who died in the fateful light aeroplane crash in Iowa on February 3rd 1959 - this marks the 60th anniversary of that fateful day, immortalised in Don McLean's 1971 hit InchAmerican PieInch as InchThe Day The Music DiedInch. Ritchie was still only 17 years old when he died, but in his brief eight-month recording career he had already had three hits, two of which were in the Top 100 at the time of the accident. This collection comprises all his releases through to 1962, including the A and B sides of his singles for the Del-Fi tag and all the tracks from his two studio albums InchRitchie ValensInch and InchRitchieInch, which were not otherwise on his singles. It also includes all the tracks from his album InchIn Concert At Pacoima Jr. HighInch, which has one side that features 'live' recordings from one of his performances, the other side comprising unfinished demos with narrative by Bob Keane, owner of the Del-Fi tag. It naturally includes his No. 2 US hit InchDonnaInch along with it's famous hit B side InchLa BambaInch, along with his other hits InchCome On, Let's GoInch, InchThat's My Little SuzieInch and InchLittle GirlInch. It's an evocative showcase for a young talent who made a notable impact during his tragically brief career. Album Tracks 1. Come on, Let's Go 2. Framed 3. Donna 4. La Bamba 5. That's My Little Suzie 6. In a Turkish Town 7. Little Girl 8. We Belong Together 9. Stay Beside Me 10. Big Baby Blues 11. Cry, Cry, Cry 12. Paddiwack Song 13.
