Since 1987 there has been a number of significant events surrounding this highly talented performer, who has been labeled (despite his few hits and young age!) the "father" of Latino rock. These events include a movie (La Bamba), a book (by Beverly Mendheim "Ritchie Valens - the First Latino Rocker") at least three murals in the southern California area, a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, a community center named after him and a U.S. stamp.
WHY HASN'T HE BEEN INDUCTED???????
In my quest for "more Ritchie" I have since come to know his family. Mainly I speak of his aunt and uncle Ernestine and Lelo Reyes and their children, one of whom is Ernie Reyes Valens. Ernestine and Lelo were an intrical part of Ritchie's career and Ritchie lived with them a great deal of the time.
I met Ernestine through a mutual friend and was fortunate enough to stay with the Reyes in May of '98 for the Ritchie Valens Day weekend held in Pacoima. I felt right at home with the family and enjoyed myself more than I thought possible! Oh.....and the memorabilia I got to see was just awesome! I also had the pleasure of seeing Ernie Valens perform Ritchie's tunes that weekend and he has the same fire and passion! I feel like I got as close to "meeting" Ritchie as was humanly possible through this loving family!
I also had the pleasure of visiting Del-Fi Studios and meeting Bob Keane - Ritchie's manager/producer. The man is fantastic and Del-Fi is going full force right now with trying to get Ritchie where he belongs: in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Thank you Bob for all you have done in bringing us Ritchie's music!
A special thanks to Ernestine Reyes whose untiring efforts keep Ritchie's memory alive and well and still rockin' the world!
