The San Fernando American Legion post dedicated a bandstand Thursday evening honoring Ritchie Valens at the site where the pioneering rock-and-roll musician performed as a teenager before rising to national fame.
The unveiling ceremony for the “Ritchie Valens Bandstand” at American Legion Post 176 coincided with what would have been the late singer’s 85th birthday, according to organizers.
Organizers said the dedication is intended to preserve the history of the stage where Valens, born Richard Steven Valenzuela, performed in 1957 before becoming one of the first Mexican-American rock-and-roll stars to reach mainstream audiences.
Valens rose to prominence with songs including “La Bamba” and “Donna” before his death in a 1959 plane crash in Iowa alongside musicians Buddy Holly and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. Valens was 17.
“The music never disappeared. The story was never forgotten,” organizers said in a statement announcing the event. “Now the place where it began will finally receive the recognition it deserves.”
The project includes a permanent commemorative installation recognizing Valens’ connection to the San Fernando venue and his influence on rock music and Chicano cultural history, officials said.