I saw this on television recently for the first time. I know almost nothing about Ritchie Valens except for his three hit songs and the fact he won a coin toss with Waylon Jennings for the seat on the fatal plane. I know it’s impossible to make an interesting biography without a few liberties, but generally is it reliable? Does anybody know whatever happened to Bob Morales (the half-brother played by Esai Morales in the movie)?
(from here)
Ritchie Valens’ brother was still alive at the time the movie was released (he may still be now, I haven’t bothered to check), and gave numerous interviews. He seemed fairly pleased with the movie, but indicated that
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The real-life “Donna” had only a casual relationship with Ritchie… whereas the movie showed them on the verge of marriage.
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Ritchie was basically a good kid, but NOT the innocent the movie made him out to be (i.e. when Bob and Ritchie went to a bordello, Ritchie may have done a LITTLE more than play the guitar!).
Speaking of La Bamba, can anyone tell me what the song played during the funeral scene is called? I saw it a while ago and found myself whistling it for a few days.
Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny ??