Ritchie Valens at 85: Chicano rockers are hosting a free tribute show in L.A. on Aug. 22

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.

Set us as preferred At just 17 years old, San Fernando Valley native and son of Sonoran immigrants Richard Valenzuela — better known as Ritchie Valens — changed the course of rock and roll with the release of breakout 1958 hits “La Bamba,” “Donna” and “Come On Let’s Go.” Just eight months later, he died in a plane accident.Nearly 70 years after Valens’ death, his siblings Irma, Connie and Mario Valens — who all adopted their brother’s stage name — partnered with East L.A.musician Hector Flores to create “Ritchie Forever: An Ode to an American Dreamer.” Hosted by Grand Performances in DTLA, the Aug.

22 tribute night will feature archival footage and conversations with family members to discuss the teenage star’s identity and belonging in rock ‘n’ roll history.In addition, Valens’ music will be reinterpreted live by Chicano performers from Thee Sinseers, The Altons, Shannon and the Clams and The McCharmlys, among others.Irma Valens was nearly seven years old when she was picked up from school to find out that her older brother, Ritchie, wouldn’t be coming home.She and her family have dedicated years since to talking about the teen who played her favorite song, “Paddiwack,” in the grape fields in Pacoima, and who let her watch from the family couch as he wrote his future classics on guitar.“I just never want people to forget about his music.

That’s for sure.His voice was just amazing,” said Irma, who will be speaking at Saturday’s event.

“We can’t say the music died.It never did.

It just keeps getting better as long as people keep remembering his story in different ways.”Irma met Hector Flores, artistic director for “Ritchie Forever” and founding member of L.A.Chicano rock group Las Cafeteras, at the 2024 Winter Dance Party — an Iowa music festival dedicated to V...