Fellow musiciansBuddy Hollyand J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson were also killed, as was pilot Roger Peterson.
“I commemorate every Feb. 3 and I tweet about him.
I spoke to [Valens' sister] Connie last week.
Lous Diamond Phillips in ‘La Bamba’.Everett Collection
It was my Cinderella story, and still is.”
The troupe is still active today.
Armed with firsthand accounts, the search began and ended with Phillips sealing the deal.
Luis Valdez directing ‘La Bamba’.Everett Collection
“It’s in his music and the way he sings.
At the same time, he was 17 years old and was very sweet.
He’s quite a performer.
I could tell when he went for a scene he really went for the throat.
So the tiger was in him, too.”
