His parents were of mexican origin and valens grew up listening to traditional mexican music. High is the third and final of the posthumously released original albums by ritchie valensit consists of his only live performance ever recorded. Ritchie Valens Ritchie Valens High School Yearbook Photos Richard steven valenzuela who later came to be known as ritchie valens was born on 13 may 1941 in san francisco valley in los angeles california to joseph steven valenzuela and concepcion reyes.