'La Bamba' Rocks the California Theatre of the Performing Arts

Get ready to rock around the clock when "La Bamba," a concert featuring the music of 1950s rock legend Ritchie Valens, takes the stage for four shows Oct. 24-26 at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts. Presented by the Theatrical Arts International, the concerts are being presented at 8 p.m. Oct. 24-25 and 2 p.m. Oct. 26-26. Valens, best known for his hit song "La Bamba," tragically died along with Buddy Holly and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson on Feb. 3, 1959, in a plane crash in Iowa while on the Winter Party Dance tour. He was only 17 when he died and only eight months into his recording career. "We are extremely pleased to be presenting 'La Bamba' as our opening show of the 2014-2015 season," said Joseph Henson of Theatrical Arts International. "We dig Ritchie Valens and really love his music. He is an Hispanic icon." Born Richard Steven Valenzuela, Valens was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who was considered one of the early pioneers of rock music, as well as the father of the modern Chicano rock movement. Born May 13, 1941, in Pacoima in the San Fernando Valley, Valens had an early interest in music, playing trumpet, drums and guitar. At age 16 he was asked to join a band called The Silhouettes. He was signed as a solo artist to Del-Fi Records on May 27, 1958, and soon began recording. In addition to "La Bamba," his other hits include "Come On Let's Go," "Donna," "That's My Little Susie," "Little Girl," "Stay Beside Me," "We Belong Together" and "The Paddiwack Song." Valens was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. A film about his life, "La Bamba" was released in 1987 and starred Lou Diamond Phillips as the singer. It was written and directed by Luis Valdez. "La Bamba" is part Theatrical Arts International's 2014-2015 season at the California Theatre. Other shows in the season are "9 to 5: The Musical," Feb. 13-15, 2015; "Starlight Express," April 17-19; and "Calendar Girls," May 15-17. In addition, the company is bringing the touring shows "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" on Halloween, Oct. 31; "Sister Act" will be presented March 28, 2015. Theatrical Arts International is the Inland Empire's largest theater company. It is known throughout the nation as one of the top producers in Southern California. For more than 17 years, has been known for producing award-winning musicals, stand-up comedy, plays and concerts throughout the Southland. Last season, Theatrical Arts International expanded into Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium on the campus of Chaffey High School in Ontario. The 2014-2015 season there includes "Buddy Holly," Feb. 14, 2015; "The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber," March 7; "Fiddler on the Roof," March 28; and "Driving Miss Daisy," May 23. Tickets are $38.50-$77.50 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com or through the box office at (909) 885-5152.