Pacoima Icon and Legend Receives Historic Recognition
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Ritchie Valens mural in Pacoima
For the first time in history, a Pacoima icon and music legend is receiving recognition from the city of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles City Council has voted to proclaim Ritchie Valens Day as May 13 as a tribute to the late singers date of birth and to further memorialize his legendary status.
Ritchie Valens, born Richard Steven Valenzuela was born in the historic town of Pacoima May 13, 1941 and was behind hits including “La Bamba” and “Donna”. Ritchie was killed in a tragic plane crash in 1959 along with Buddy Holly and JP Richardson (known as the Big Bopper) in a corn field in Iowa while on tour.
In addition to having May 13th proclaimed Ritchie Valens Day, Pacoima also has a park named after him on Laurel Canyon Blvd.
The Ritchie Valens story is included the new film "PacoimaStories: Land of Dreams”. This powerful two-hour documentary about the history of Pacoima, includes interviews with the singer's classmates, who talk about growing up with Ritchie in Pacoima, him loving to sing and always walking around with his guitar.
They also dispel falsehoods about the “La Bamba” movie version of this iconic singer who played rhythm and blues along with rock and roll. Valens, they say, was liked by everyone and always had a smile on his face.
"PacoimaStories “Land of Dreams” is currently available on DVD. For more information about the film go to www.PacoimaStories.com
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