A RITCHIE VALENS MUSICAL: Plays in Process
Seattle Rep presents an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at their forthcoming production of A RITCHIE VALENS MUSICAL by Octavio Solis, David Hidalgo, and Louie Pérez, directed by Tony Taccone, on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 7:30 PM as part of their new Plays in Process series. Librarians at Seattle Public Library created this list of books, films and music to enhance your experience of this program.
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La Bamba
Starring Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens, this 1987 biopic recounts the story of Valens' short but eventful life and career, and introduced East L.A. Chicano rock band Los Lobos to a national audience.
Format: DVD
Availability: Available
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La Bamba (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Los Lobos were chosen by Ritchie Valens' family to perform his songs in the film La Bamba, and this soundtrack includes several of their covers of Valens' songs, including "La Bamba," which became a #1 Billboard hit in 1987.
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Uncommon People
In his incisive exploration of the cult of the rock star, British music journalist Hepworth devotes a chapter to the crash that killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens and its place in rock music mythology.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Memorial Collection
1950s rock pioneer Buddy Holly was killed in the same plane crash as Valens. This 3-CD set, released on the 50th anniversary of his death, contains every master take, as well as some rarities, recorded during Holly's short but influential career.
Format: Music CD
Availability: Available
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Just Another Band From East L.A. by Los Lobos
Explore more of Los Lobos' discography with this compilation that collects songs, live recordings, and other previously unreleased tracks from the first 15 years of their career (1978-1993).
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American Pie by Don McLean
Singer-songwriter McLean coined the phrase "The Day the Music Died" to describe the crash that killed Valens, Holly and the Big Bopper in his monster 1971 hit "American Pie."
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Rave on
Learn more about the life and career of rock innovator Buddy Holly in this well-researched biography that also provides an informative history of the early days of rock n' roll.
Format: Book
Availability: No Longer Available
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The Universal Tone
Ritchie Valens was an important early influence on noted Chicano rock musician Carlos Santana, who writes about his life and career with candor and insight in this absorbing memoir.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Greatest Hits
Like Valens, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was a Mexican American pop star who died tragically young, and who left behind an enduring musical legacy. Explore some of her most popular songs in this streaming collection.
Format: Downloadable Music
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Selena
Also like Valens, Selena became the subject of a popular biopic after her death. This 1997 film starred Jennifer Lopez in the title role and Edward James Olmos as Selena's father Abraham Quintanilla Jr.
Format: DVD
Availability: No Longer Available
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