Richie Valens

Ritchie Valens (real name Richard Valenzuela) was a pioneer of hispanic rock and influenced the likes of Chris Montez and Carlos Santana.

He died on February 2, 1959, in a late-night plane crash that also took the life of Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. The next day, when the crash was widely reported, became known as "The Day The Music Died".