Word came around to owner of the new Del-Fi record company, Bob Keane, that a local boy from Pacoima was a big sensation in there community, so they invited Ritchie to audition for them. Ritchie auditioned for Bob around spring of 1958 and was signed to the label. Ritchie barely finished 1 year of high school when he was signed at the young age of 17. Bob Keane shortened his name from Richard Valenzuela to Ritchie Valens. On June. 9, 1958 Ritchie released his first song “Come on Let’s Go” to the local southwest and it turned out to be a big hit. In August of the same year it was released nationally and eventually sold half a million copies (Ritchie Valens). |  |
It became a top chart hit in at number 42 in the U.S, barely missing the top forty. After a small tour Ritchie a“Donna’s" B side after he heard Ritchie sing it once before. Ritchie who was very respectful to his culture didn’t want to sing it, afraid that he would offend many people singing a classic Mexican folk song in Rock n’ Roll. They decided to record it and Ritchie sang it, putting it in his style. Surprisingly to Ritchie the people loved it. Ritchie became a star. He was featured on American bandstand, Alan Freed's Christmas show and was even featured in a movie "Go Johnny Go".
