Ap connie valenzuela the mother of the late rock singer ritchie valens has died of an apparent heart attack. Richard steven valenzuela may 13 1941 february 3 1959 known professionally as ritchie valens was an american singer songwriter and guitarista rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the chicano rock movement valens was killed in a plane crash eight months into his recording career. Bob Morales Older Brother Of Rock Legend Ritchie Valens Dies At Donna was a great comfort to ritchies mom and sisters after ritchies death.