La Bamba (1987)

La Bamba is a 1987 biographical drama about Mexican-American rock musician Ritchie Valens, whose birth name was Ricardo Valenzuela. Luis Valdez wrote and directed the film for Columbia Pictures. [Sony Pictures](https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/labamba)

Lou Diamond Phillips plays Ritchie Valens, while Esai Morales plays his older half-brother Bob Morales. Rosana DeSoto plays their mother Connie Valenzuela. [Criterion Collection](https://www.criterion.com/films/33769-la-bamba)

Valens died in the plane crash of February 3, 1959, alongside Buddy Holly and J.P. Richardson, known as the Big Bopper. The tragedy occurred during the Winter Dance Party tour and ended Valens's rapid rise at age 17. [Library of Congress](https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/LaBamba.pdf)

Los Lobos performed the film's major Ritchie Valens songs, including the title track La Bamba, rather than using Valens's original recordings for every performance. Their soundtrack version helped connect the 1950s story with the 1987 film audience. [Sony Pictures](https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/labamba)