“La Bamba”, most famously covered by Ritchie Valens in 1958, is a Mexican folk song from the state of Veracruz. Richard Steven Valenzuela, known as Ritchie Valens, was a Chicano musician from Texas who achieved commercial success during his high school years. After leaving school to pursue a musical career full-time, Valens went on to create both English and Spanish-language songs that received success in the United States. Ritchie Valens’ version of “La Bamba” is well-known for infusing aspects of rock and roll with the traditional Spanish-language version of the folk song. The song went on to be named as one of the greatest songs of all time by Rolling Stone magazine and has been chosen by the Library of Congress for induction into the National Recording Registry for its cultural impact.
Because of his wide success with his version of “La Bamba”, Ritchie Valens is often heralded as one of the fathers of Chicano rock. Aspects of the song’s instrumentation can be heard in popular songs throughout the late twentieth century, including in “Twist and Shout” (as performed by both the Isley Brothers in 1962 and The Beatles in 1963). The song’s legacy serves as one of the first popular examples of Latin music’s influence on international styles beyond Latin America. Further, the song’s melody is easily recognizable among American audiences.
Valens, Ritchie. La Bamba. Ritchie Valens. Los Angeles, California, 1958.