Ritchie Valens Story CD

Despite leaving this world at only 17 Ritchie's name has stayed with the record buying public for several reasons. His talent certainly sustained a more than passing interest by most Rock'n'Roll fans. Secondly the energetic efforts of Bob Keane, manager, recording producer and mentor have ensured Ritchie's name didn't fade from the public's attention. Thirdly since The Three Stars fell from the sky that night there has always been an interest, not through any morbid curiosity, more from genuine heartfelt sorrow about the events that happened on that cold, cold night on February 3 1959. Valens is definitely worth a listen and no collection is complete without him.

 

Ritchie Valens - The Lost Tapes certainly covers a variety of his recordings that will satisfy the taste buds of any Rock'n'Roll fan. The recordings are a mix of demos made at Bob Keanes own studio at his home and the famous Gold Star Studios recordings which were to provide a platform for Ritchie's introduction to the music scene. The Gold Star Studios were later to become so famous when used by Phil Spector and the Beach Boys, the latter artists were to use bass guitarist Carol Kaye on their "SurfSound" records. She features playing guitar on "Come On Lets Go".

At the time of Ritchie's recordings the studios were also being used by Eddie Cochran who sadly was also to suffer a premature demise when the taxi that he was taking to catch a plane back to the U.S. from a tour of England crashed.

Title
Composer
Recording Venue
Narration By Bob Keane    
Bony Moronie Larry Williams Gold Star Studios
Come On Let's Go Ritchie Valens Demo At Bob Keane's home studio*
Come On Let's Go Ritchie Valens Gold Star
That's My Little Suzie Valens/Kuhn Demo*
Rock Little Darlin' Valens/Kuhn Demo*
Bluebirds Over The Mountain Hickey/Corda Demo*
La Bamba Trad. arr. Valens Gold Star
Let's rock'n'Roll Ritchie Valens Demo*
Donna Ritchie Valens Demo*
Donna Ritchie Valens Gold Star
Summertime Blues Cochran/Capehart recorded live at Pacoima High School
In A Turkish Town Ritchie Valens Demo*
Paddiwack Songs Ritchie Valens Gold Star
Big Baby Blues Arvee Allens* Gold Star
Malaguena Trad. Demo*
Stay Beside Me Olofsen/Ellenhorn Gold Star
The Winter Dance Party Promo    
La Bamba Trad. arr. Valens Gold Star