LA BAMBA

La Bamba
Columbia, 1987, Color, 103 minutes, ***½
Released July, 1987

At the age of 17 he had three hit records and a brilliant future...until fate made him a legend. Hit biodrama of '50s rock and roller Ritchie Valens stars Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens, with music by Los Lobos, Brian Setzer and Marshall Crenshaw. Co-starring Esai Morales, Elizabeth Pena.

it may be the best rock biopic ever made. Maybe it's because I was around at the time, and I vividly remember "The day the music died." Losing Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper all at the same time was a shock to all rock and roll fans, and may well have changed the evolution of rock and roll. Ritchie Valens was a talented and innovative performer (as were the other two). Making "La Bamba" - an old Mexican folksong - into a rock and roll hit was a stroke of genius. Lou Diamond Phillips broke into movies with this performance, and he is completely believable as Ritchie. And Esai Morales is perfect as Ritchie's half-brother. This is a film not to be missed by any fan of rock music!

Chances are if you're not a Baby Boomer, you've never heard of Ritchie, though you probably have heard his legendary rendition of "La Bamba." Ritchie, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper were all killed in an airplane crash on February 3, 1959. It is this tragic event of which Don McLean sings in his well-loved "American Pie." It was truly a tragedy that three of the biggest rock and roll stars - when rock was still in its infancy - were taken from us just as Rock was becoming a bona fide art form. Ritchie was one of the movers and shakers that helped to define a whole new musical art. We grieve over this loss to this day: "The Day the Music Died."


Producers: Bill Borden and Taylor Hackford
Executive Producer: Stuart Benjamin
Associate Producer: Daniel Valdez
Director: Luis Valdez
Screenplay: Luis Valdez
Musical Score: Miles Goodman and Carlos Santana
Song Score: various
Production Design: Vincent Cresciman
Set Decoration: Rosemary Brandenburg
Costume Design: Sylvia Vega-Vasquez
Cinematography: Adam Greenberg
Film Editing: Don Brochu, Sheldon Kahn

Cast: Lou Diamond Phillips [Ritchie Valens], Esai Morales [Bob Morales], Rosana DeSoto [Connie Valenzuela], Elizabeth Pena [Rosie Morales], Danielle von Zerneck [Donna Ludwig], Joe Pantoliano [Bob Keene], Rick Dees [Ted Quillin], Marshall Crenshaw [Buddy Holly], Howard Huntsberry [Jackie Wilson], Brian Setzer [Eddie Cochran], Daniel Valdez [Lelo], Connie Alvarez, Irma Valcorta [Farm Workers], Felipe Cantú [Curandero], Eddie Frias [Chino], Mike Moroff [Mexican Ed], Geoffrey Rivas [Rudy], Sam Anderson [Mr. Ludwig], Maggie Gwinn [Mrs. Ludwig], Jeffrey Alan Chandler [Alan Freed], Stephen Lee [The Big Bopper], John Quade [Bartender], Lettie Ibarra [Vera], Diane Rodriguez [Ernestine], Katie Valdez [Connie, Jr.], Gloria Balcorta [Irma], Ernesto Hernandez [Garbage Man], Noble Willingham [Howard], Thom Pintello [Sound Engineer], Stephen F. Schmidt [Tommy Allsup], Rosanna Locke [Sharon Sheeley], Kim Sebastian, Dyana Ortelli [Donna's Girlfriends], Andy Griggs [Mr. House], Art Koustik [Trucker], Tony Genaro [Mr. Caballero], Allison Robinson [Girl at Party], Hunter Payne [Baseball Announcer], Joe Poller, Mary Ann Tanedo, Brian Russell [Students], Daniel Hidalgo [singing voice of Lou Diamond Phillips], Los Lobos [Ritchie's Band]

Musical Program: Rip It Up (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips); Charlena (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips); Goodnight My Love (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips); Oh Boy (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips); Ooh! My Head (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips); Framed (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips); The Paddi Wack Song (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips); We Belong Together (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips); Come on, Let's Go (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips); La Bamba (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips; reprised several times); Donna (played by Los Lobos, Daniel Hidalgo dubbing for Lou Diamond Phillips)
Background and Incidental Music: Who Do You Love (Bo Diddley); Summertime Blues (Brian Setzer as Eddie Cochran); Lonely Teardrops (Howard Huntsberry as Jackie Wilson); Crying, Waiting, Hoping (Marshall Crenshaw as Buddy Holly); Sleep Walk (instrumental by Santo and Johnny); Pajaro Loco (Los Lobos); Abuelitos Cortos (Los Lobos); Ready Teddy (Little Richard); I Got a Gal Named Sue (That's My Little Suzie) (Carlos Santana and Los Lobos); Don't You Just Know It (Huey Smith and His Clowns); For Your Precious Love (Jerry Butler and The Impressions); This I Swear (The Skyliners); Bakersfield Shuffle (Los Lobos); Blue Tango (performed by Studio Orchestra [?]); Armida (Daniel Valdez); Chantilly Lace (The Big Bopper); Betty Jean (Chuck Berry); Tweedlee Dee (Lavern Baker); Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (The Platters); Over the Mountain, Across the Sea (Johnnie and Joe)