[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE LATE RITCHIE VALENS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late Ritchie 
Valens, who was inducted into the Rock of Roll Hall of Fame on March 
19th. Although Valens died over forty years ago, his presence is still 
strongly felt in my congressional district, especially in the Northeast 
San Fernando Valley where he grew up. The recognition he is receiving 
brings honor to his entire community.
  A pioneer in the history of rock and roll who helped shape American 
music, Valens is considered to be the first Chicano rock and roll star 
to cross over into mainstream America with his hits, ``Come On, Let's 
Go,'' the ballad ``Donna'' and the flipside, ``La Bamba'' which is 
still heard all over the world. At age seventeen, his career ended 
tragically when he died in a plane crash along with rock and roll 
legend Buddy Holly and fellow rocker the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson) 
on February 3, 1959.
  Valens achieved success and stardom at a younger age than many of 
rock's superstars, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan. 
The music Valens made is as vibrant today as it was when his hits were 
released in the late 1950's.
  Born Richard Steve Valenzuela, Valens began his music career by 
imitating the earliest rock and roll artists, especially Elvis, Chuck 
Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, The Penguins and The Drifters. 
Like so many of that era, Valens was caught up in the excitement of 
rock and roll. The performer with the greatest influence on his music, 
however, was Little Richard. Ritchie would entertain visitors in his 
household with his versions of Little Richard's ``Ooh My Soul.'' He 
joined The Silhouettes, a typical high school garage band that played 
the popular tunes of the day at high school sock hops, church dances 
and local parties. Playing for the Silhouettes helped Valens realize 
that making music was what he wanted to do more than anything else.
  In 1987, Columbia Pictures released the film La Bamba, written and 
directed by admired Chicano playwright Luis Valdez, which immortalized 
Valens' brief life. The movie rejuvenated his music nearly thirty years 
after his death. A whole new generation of fans grew to love Valens' as 
his hits were re-recorded and performed by the East Los Angeles Chicano 
group, ``Los Lobos,'' for the La Bamba soundtrack. This contemporary 
band went on to become a musical phenomenon, in large part because of 
Valens' achievements in the early days of rock and roll.
  Since the release of the movie La Bamba, Valens' contributions to 
rock and roll have been honored many times: he received a star on the 
Hollywood walk of Fame, The United States Postal Service recognized his 
life and career with a commemorative postage stamp, the Ritchie Valens 
Recreation Center was formally dedicated at a park in his hometown of 
Pacoima, and he was inducted into Hollywood's Rock Walk for his 
contributions to pop music. Additionally, an annual music festival, 
``The Legend Lives On,'' is held in his honor.
  It was an honor to work with Valens' family, friends and fans to urge 
the recording industry to name this outstanding artist to the Rock and 
Roll Hall of Fame. Although long overdue, Valens' inclusion is richly 
deserved and is cause for great celebration in Pacoima today.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the late Ritchie Valens, 
rock and rolls' first Chicano star!

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