Los Lobos took 'La Bamba' to the top of the charts
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
"La Bamba" by Los Lobos was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart 30 years ago.
It's the title track from a 1987 bio pic about Ritchie Valens.
Valens was a rising star in 1959 when he was killed in a plane crash along with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. The song, a rock and roll interpretation of a traditional Mexican folk song, was not a big hit for Valens when it first came out in 1958. His mother and sisters asked Los Lobos to record the song for the film.
Support Local News
When breaking news happens, MPR News provides the context you need. Help us meet the significant demands of these newsgathering efforts.