IMDb > La Bamba (1987)
La Bamba
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Videos (see all 3)
La Bamba (1987) -- Lou Diamond Phillips steps into the role of singer Ritchie Valens who went from nowhere to superstardom right before a tragic plane crash known as the day the music died.
La Bamba (1987) -- Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash.
La Bamba (1987) -- Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash.

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   7,140 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Luis Valdez

Writer:

Luis Valdez (written by)

Contact:

View company contact information for La Bamba on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

24 July 1987 (USA) more

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music more

Tagline:

Born to poverty. Destined for stardom. He Lived the American Dream. more

Plot:

Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash. full summary | add synopsis

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win more

NewsDesk:
(12 articles)

Sotomayor Does the Mambo
 (From The Wrap. 17 September 2009, 6:32 AM, PDT)

New 'Stargate Universe' Promo
 (From CinemaSpy. 9 September 2009, 11:57 AM, PDT)

User Comments:

My Favorite Movie more (43 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Lou Diamond Phillips ... Ritchie Valens

Esai Morales ... Bob Morales
Rosanna DeSoto ... Connie Valenzuela (as Rosana De Soto)
Elizabeth Peña ... Rosie Morales
Danielle von Zerneck ... Donna Ludwig

Joe Pantoliano ... Bob Keane
Rick Dees ... Ted Quillin
Marshall Crenshaw ... Buddy Holly
Howard Huntsberry ... Jackie Wilson

Brian Setzer ... Eddie Cochran
Daniel Valdez ... Lelo
Felipe Cantu ... Curandero
Eddie Frias ... Chino
Mike Moroff ... Mexican Ed
Geoffrey Rivas ... Rudy
more
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Additional Details

Also Known As:

Let's Go (USA) (working title)
more

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Dolby


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

The band playing the traditional folk version of "La Bamba" at the club in Tijuana is, in reality, the band Los Lobos, who performed all of the Ritchie Valens music for the film. The guitar player next to the bass player is David Hidalgo, who provided the singing voice of for Lou Diamond Phillips. more

Goofs:

Factual errors: While the scene is true about the coin toss between Ritchie and a member of Buddy's band, Ritchie Valens was not sick as seen in the movie. The Big Bopper was. He begged Holly’s band mate (and future country music star) Waylon Jennings for the chance to ride on the plane because he was coming down with the flu. The coin toss took place between Ritchie Valens and Tommy Allsup. more

Quotes:

Rosie Morales: [to Bob] I am not your puta! more

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in La Boomba (1988) (V) more

Soundtrack:

Armida more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
26 out of 30 people found the following comment useful.
My Favorite Movie, 28 November 2002
Author: valens-69 from New York

One Summer afternoon back in 1996 i was 17 years old, I had a guitar but never played as much as i should have.

With nothing to do i was watching TV, and La Bamba came on and for whatever reason i decided to watch it.

I have heard of Ritchie Valens but knew nothing of him, i knew a few of his hit songs but never knew that was him singing till i watched the movie.

That summer day i watched La Bamba changed my life. The movie just reached out and touched something in my soul. I am a Rocker and love all kinds of Rock music. And that's one of the things i loved about La Bamba the great music.

I watched La Bamba everyday it would come on cable even bought the movie, even after that i would still watch it when ever it came on.

Every time i see it i fall in-love with the movie all over again.

And because of this film i play my guitar, and because of this film i have a dream of working in film as a Writer/Director.

The story is all about Ritchie Valens who is 17 years old and dreams of being a rock star. But there is so much more to it then that.

It's a story about family as well, and young love.

Lou Diamond Phillips who is a Fav actor of mine is amazing in La Bamba he shows how talented he is.

Esai Morales plays Ritchie's older brother Bob.

Esai Morales plays the troubled Bob with perfection.

The Casting is great Rosanna Desoto plays Connie Ritchie's Mother, Elizabeth Pena as Rosie Bob's wife.

Danielle Von Zerneck as Donna Ritchie's Girlfriend and the great Joe Pantoliano as Bob Keene who discovers Ritchie Valens and is his Producer/Manager.

Like i said there is more to the story then just Ritchie's dreams,What La Bamba comes down to is a story about Brothers.

In some ways i relate to Ritchie but at the same time i know how Bob feels being second best.

Writer/Director Luis Valdez does an amazing job. Thank you Mr.Valdez for the wonderful job.

Los Lobos perform most of the sound-track and perform all of Ritchie Valens songs.

Lou Diamond Phillips is amazing but Esai Morales is the stand-out with his performance.

I just wanna thank the cast and crew for the inspiration they have given me.

And of course the man himself Ritchie Valens R.I.P

La Bamba shows you that Dreams can in fact come true.

I give La Bamba 10/10

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (43 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for La Bamba (1987)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
A great Rock 'n' Roll Bio-pic ericsinla
Bob Valenzuela start a fight during Ritchie's concert madhouse_495
no kudos for Los Lobos? bhhanson
Please someone help me understand this.... Louis275
Blue Thunderbird madhouse_495
1970'S Garbage Truck madhouse_495
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