La Bamba

            
            
             "La Bamba" is the musical biography about the young, talented, Mexican-American rock & roll musician Ritchie Valens. Valens, whose real name was Ricardo Valenzuela, was on the verge of becoming a major star when he was killed in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, at the mere age of 17. Also killed in the crash were Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, and this day has since become known as "the day the music died".
             "La Bamba" opens with a dreamy sequence showing some kids in a schoolyard playing basketball on a nice summer day. In the background, high above in the sky, an airplane is approaching. A few moments later, another plane coming from the opposite direction appears above the schoolhouse roof. The game continues in slow motion while the planes fly over the schoolyard, when they suddenly smash into each other, explode, and crash down on the schoolyard below.
             Ritchie wakes up with a loud gasp. A baby is crying in the background, and his mother is calling his name from outside, telling him it's time to get up. It is 1957, and Ritchie is living in a Northern California migrant camp with his mom and two little sisters, where both Ritchie and his mom work as apricot pickers. Ritchie works hard at the camp to help his mom put food on the table, and seldom complains about anything. The Valenzuela's are a close-knit family, and Ritchie knows that you have to make sacrifices for those you love, so helping just comes natural to him. .
             Ritchie is so busy working that he doesn't even notice the motorcycle pulling into the camp until it's almost upon him. When he suddenly looks up and sees his half-brother Bob, who he hasn't seen since before he went to prison, come walking towards him, his face lights up with joy as he leaps forward to embrace him. It is obvious that Ritchie idolizes his brother, even though he always seems to get into trouble by partying and drinking too much, and makes his money dealing drugs.