I still remember the first time we heard ritchie sing on the radio the mother of the late latino rock n roller ritchie valens recalled about that distant day almost 30 years ago. Richie valens hall of fame live from the archive nama11. Ritchie Valens Roots Ritchie valens purchased the home for his mother in 1958 and resided here until his death in 1959 which was the most productive period of his professional career.