Friday, December 28, 2012

Record #0220: Donna / La Bamba – RITCHIE VALENS



Del-Fi 4110 (original) USA, Oct. 1958
Words & Music by:  Side A – Ritchie Valens; Side B – adaptation by Ritchie Valens
Musicians: Ritchie Valens (vocals and guitar), René Hall (guitar, 6-string bass guitar on side B), Carol Kaye (rhythm guitar), Buddy Clark (bass), Ernie Freeman (piano), Earl Palmer (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Bob Keane at Gold Star Studio, Hollywood, CA, Side A – Oct.? ; Side B – Sep. 23, 1958
Highest chart positions:  Side A – US #2, US R&B #11, UK #29; Side B – US #22, UK #49 (in 1987)

This was Valens’ last single that was released in his lifetime.

The musicians were really top notch in all Valens’ sessions.

“La Bamba” is ranked at #345 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, where it’s the only song that is entirely not in English.

List price:  Very Good+ is $15, Near Mint is $30

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