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This is the only site authorized and developed by Ritchie's family, Connie, Irma and Mario. Take your time, there is a lot of great photos and memories we want to share with you. We hope you will enjoy your visit with us and come back often.

Articles of the Month

News from The Family
2026 Ritchie Valens Family Luncheon
BIG NEWS!!!
Ritchie Valens Songbook - Hits and B-sides
In Memoriam, Robert Morales
Ritchie Valens’ Soy Capitan™ Cola

For the Ritchie Valens Collection please visit shopiowarock.com

Ritchie Valens’ Soy Capitan™ Cola

C3 Entertainment, Inc. is excited to announce a license with Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops to produce a Ritchie Valens soft drink called Soy CapitanTM Cola for sale in all Rocket Fizz stores and other select outlets.
In stores now, you can enjoy a bottle of Ritchie Valens’ Soy Capitan™ Cola around the country in 28 states and over 120 locations. The bottle features classic imagery of Ritchie Valens with one of his electric guitars.
According to the Valens family, cola was Ritchie’s favorite soft drink flavor. He could often be found sipping a cola with friends at the popular Southern California diner, Bob’s Big Boy. Read more.

Please visit rocketfizz.com for a store near you.

For Licensing, Merchandising and Advertising Contact:
Ani Khachoian
Executive Vice President of Licensing, Merchandising and Distribution
C3 Entertainment, Inc.
1415 Gardena Avenue
Glendale, CA 91204
Email - Phone: (818) 956-1337 ext. 215

What's up with The Family

2026 Ritchie Valens Family Luncheon

BIG NEWS!!!

We have a book launch! Please check out our social media pages. Instagram, Ritchie Valens Official and Facebook, The Ritchie Valens for the count down to May 13, Ritchie’s birthday! Lot’s of great new content will be posted each day. We’re so excited!

In Memoriam, Robert Morales aka "La Bamba Bob" March 9, 1937- September 15, 2018

American Museum of History

Ritchie’s Sister Irma and family recently visited Washington DC. During their visit to the American Museum of History, came across this exhibit which features Ritchie’s 45 on the turquoise Del-Fi label. It still amazes us see the impact Ritchie’s music has made and it’s importance.

Ritchie Valens Songbook - Hits and B-sides

Series: Guitar
Format: Softcover Audio Online - TAB
Artist: Ritchie Valens
Author: Ryan Sheeler

Ritchie Valens was the first nationally recognized Latino rock'n' roll star. He had a meteoric rise to fame in a career that lasted barely eight months, before his tragic death along with Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and pilot Roger Peterson, in a plane crash north of Clear Lake, Iowa. Ritchie's unique guitar style and high-energy performances and his hits "Come On, Let's Go," "Donna," and "La Bamba" made him a well-known figure in the golden age of rock 'n' roll.

Valens had only two studio albums, Ritchie Valens and Ritchie, both released posthumously in 1959. In Ritchie Valens Songbook: Hits and B Sides, guitarist and author Ryan Sheeler presents an in-depth look at Ritchie's music from these two albums, featuring 12 note-for-note transcriptions with accompanying guitar tablature.

This is a follow up to Sheeler's book, Ritchie Valens: His Guitar and Music, featuring a complete exploration of "La Bamba," plus Ritchie's guitars and history.

Ryan studied music at Iowa State, a musican in his own right he explores the musical styles of Ritchie and shares photos and information not currently found elsewhere. Some of the questions he answers, How much of his own guitar work did Ritchie perform on his records? You'll want to add this book to your collection, Ryan shares his passion for Ritchie's music working tirelessly "to get it right". Available on Amazon, halleonard.com and www.ryansheeler.com