February 3rd, immortalized in Don McLean's 1972 Billboard topper American Pie as "The Day the Music Died," refers to cultural despondency over the tragic loss of 22-year-old Buddy Holly, Pacoima's 17-year-old Ritchie Valens, and 28-year-old J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson who died in an icy, Iowa plane crash on this day in 1959. San Fernando valley born Valens -- a pioneer in the Spanish-speaking, Chicano/Latin rock movement -- scored several hits in his incomprehensibly short, 8-month recording career including the rock adaptation of a Mexican folk song, "La Bamba." more ›

On the heels of the Grammy Museum's attendance spike--thanks to their Michael Jackson exhibit--today its operators and curators celebrated, along with City Councilmembers Richard Alarcon, Tom LaBonge and Jan Perry, the declaration of the first Ritchie Valens Day. more ›