This is the true story Ritchie Valens a young rock & roll singer who tragically died in an aircrash at the age of 17. The film follows Ritchie from his days in Paicoma, California where he in and his family makes a meagre living working at plantations to his rise as a star. The film also focus on Richies friendship and rivalry with his older brother Bob and his relationship with Donna, his girlfriend.

Many family members from the production team, and Luis Valdez's and the Valenzuela family, appear in this film.

Ritchie Valens:
This is like my high school prom.


Bob Morales:
Yeah. Except this prom puts out.

Anachronisms: When the DJ announces the sad news that Holly, Richardson, and Valens have died in a plane crash, he plays the song "Sleepwalk" by Santo and Johnny as a tribute to the fallen musicians. The crash occurred on 3 February 1959 and the song "Sleep Walk" was not released until July 1959.

Words & Music by John Marascalco & Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell (as Robert A. Blackwell)
Performed by Los Lobos
Courtesy of Slash Records
Produced by Steve Berlin