Ritchie Valens Trivia Quiz

Answer: Richard Valenzuela

Ritchie Valens was born Richard Valenzuela. He was the second child of four. Ritchie had one brother and two sisters.

Answer: May 13, 1941

Ritchie was born on May 13, 1941.

Answer: San Fernando Valley

Ritchie was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley in California. This community was largely Hispanic.

Answer: Joseph Valenzuela

Joseph Valenzuela was also known as 'Steve'. He was a tree surgeon, itinerant minor, and a part time horse trainer among other things. He was basically a jack of all trades. Ritchie's father also loved a variety of music, including Flamenco and Rhythm and Blues. He instilled the love of music into Ritchie. Unfortunately, when Ritchie was 10 years old, his father died due to diabetes.

Answer: Concepcion Valenzuela

Concepcion Valenzuela was also known as 'Connie'. She worked in a munitions plant in Saugus, CA. Before Connie met and married Steve, she had another son from a previous marriage.

Answer: Robert Morales

Robert Morales was Ritchie's half brother. Bob was four years older then Ritchie. He was always in alot of trouble with the police. Bob felt that Steve didn't love him as much as he loved Ritchie. To this day, Ritchie's Aunt Ernestine and Uncle Lelo Reyes along with Bob have kept his memory and music alive by passing it on to newer generations.

Answer: guitar

When Steve saw that Ritchie had a talent for the guitar along with singing, he encouraged him continuously. This encouragement was one of the reasons Ritchie became famous.

Answer: Pacoima Junior High

Ritchie entered Pacoima Junior High at the age of 13. He was considered a shy, quiet boy. During this stage, he carried his guitar everywhere.

Answer: The Silhouettes

Ritchie joined the Silhouettes before he became famous. They were a local garage band. Unfortunately, the movie 'La Bamba' was incorrect when they stated that Ritchie wasn't the featured vocalist for the group. According to his biography, Ritchie was indeed the lead vocalist for the Silhouettes.

Answer: Connie and Irma

Connie and Irma were Ritchie's younger sisters. Unfortunately, not too much is known about them.

Answer: Del-Fi

When Ritchie was 17 years old, Del-Fi studios signed Ritchie. He recorded 'La Bamba', 'Come On, Let's Go', and 'Donna'.

Answer: Bob Keene

Bob Keen, whose real name is Bob Koon, was Ritchie's manager.

Answer: False

Ritchie Valens was accepted into the Music Hall of Fame this year (2001).

Answer: Donna

Donna was Ritchie's girlfriend. He wrote a song entitled 'Donna' just for her.

Answer: February 3, 1959

On February 3, 1959, Ritchie died. He was in a plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. They are sadly missed. That day will forever be known as 'The Day the Music Died'. All information can be found at Ritchie Valens' official website.