Hope you watch the excellent movie made about Ritchie Valens-"La Bamba"-Richie is played by Lou Diamond Phillips, who does an amazing job. Great movie. Another talent taken too soon.
You're right; it was deeply personal. Donna was his girlfriend whose parents made her break up with him because he was Hispanic. Very sad and a big hit. I've always loved this song for its beauty and its sincerity. I wonder what happened to Donna.
sorry for the late reply. Donna maintained a close relation with ritchie's family after his death. constantly helped out with tributes and was considered part of the family
Donna Ludwig also said in interviews that she didn't forgive her father for a long time for never giving her the chance to say goodbye to Ritchie before he left on the fateful Winter Dance Party tour that ultimately claimed the lives of Ritchie, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and the pilot of the plane, Roger Peterson. RIP to them all.
My name is Donna & I was 3 when this song came out. My parents bought the 45 & played it for me often. When they believed I was old enough, they gave me the record, making me promise I'd take care good care of it. I guess I listened well in those days because I still have that original 45!!
Yes.... However by the time this song became a big hit. they had broken up and moved on .The movie "La Bamba" is not accurate about this, among other things. Docudramas usually are not accurate about most things portrayed in them
@@Barb5001 one of her interviews made it seem like they were still close even saying that she wanted to say goodbye before he went on tour but her father prohibited it.
Fun fact: Back in 2005 I watched the movie *La Bamba* that tells the story of his life, after seeing it I contacted his producer Bob Keane who made Ritchie Valens into a star back in the 50:s & I got response from him with a signed picture of him & Ritchie together & it was quick, I got the package around 1 & half week after my email was sent & I live in Northern Europe. Sadly, Bob Keane passed few years after. born in 1922- 2009
Ritchie Valens released "Donna" at the end of 1958. It went to No. 2 in the charts in 1959. The Social Security Administration tracks the popularity of baby names in the US going back a hundred years and the name "Donna" popped into the top five names for baby girls in 1959 and 1960 before dropping out entirely. I suspect the popularity of this song had a lot to do with the sudden rise in the popularity of that name.
An absolutely beautiful song. Heard it when it was on the charts back then, still love it. One of the greatest songs ever in my opinion. Thank u both for keeping great music alive!!
You have to watch the movie “La Bamba”. It is the story of Ritchie Valens. He was an up and coming rock star from the Barrio. Donna’s parents wouldn’t let her date him because he was a poor Mexican boy. They dated secretly. He died in the plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. The song American pie is about them, the day the music died.
Shawn and Mel: On a happier note, Donna had actually come back to Ritchie in the months before his passing--so he did have her back with him at the last!
If the movie got it right and Ritchie sang over the phone to his girlfriend Donna, I have always wondered what her father thought when song became a hit (being that it was an interracial relationship) for Ritchie.
I love all these old records your reacting to. I grew up listening to these kind of tunes, so bringing back some great memories for me. Thank you. 😊 🎶🎼🎤🎸
I remember the day the music died we were in the car when something was announced over the radio I was about seven I didn't quite understand my mother told me as she was crying that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper had perished in a plane accident when she said the Big Bopper I started crying so bad I loved the Big Bopper. that is the day I will never forgeqt this song Donna has such a special meaning between my mom and myself and everytime I hear Chantilly Lace by the Big Bopper I think of my grandpa he would tell me sometimes at the dinner table just to get me to laugh he would say hello baby just thinking about all this makes me tear up now. thank you for going down that rabbit hole love y'all
La Bamba movie will explain everything, you need to watch this movie. Donna & Richie were in love & dating, but her parents interfered with this love story which is true. RIP Richie Valens, your music lives on 💜☮️🎸
He was still in high school. He attended Pacoima High School, which in 1957 was the scene of a plane crash after two planes crashed into each other and landed on the school property. Ritchie was not in school that day, but it made him afraid of flying, which he had to overcome when he had to tour for his singing career. And then he died in a plane crash at the age of 18.
No offense but, he attended Pacoima Junior High, and then attended San Fernando High School, he lived in Pacoima tho, also he was 17 when he died, sorry if it sounds like I'm being a know it all
I love this song... My older sister use to sing it to me when I was a little one... My name is Donna, ( DonnaJean} and every time I hear it, it takes me back to those early days in Azusa, California, on Murray St . when my sister with her lovely voice would sing this to me and bring me to tears..
Donna now lives in a small community near Sacramento with her third husband. She has two daughters.3 June 2020. her surname when was Ludwig when she was with Richie Valens.
The movie "LaBamba" with Lou Diamond Phillips is about Richie Valens life. Donna was his girlfriend, but, her parents made her break up with him. He wrote that song for her.. You would love the movie.
Richie, Buddy Holly and "the big bopper" Jiles Perry Richardson and there pilot Roger Petersonwerekilled Feb. 2nd 1959 near Mason City Iowa such talent was lost, but, munic lives on.
Ritchie was an up and coming star recorded this for Donna . He later died in the plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper Very tragic ending for such a great singer
donna was an actual girl ritchie made this song for. from what I know they remained friends after the breakup and she was actually honored by this song later on. pretty sure she passed away now.
Sad to say but this was during a time when interracial couples were taboo, the term stick your own kind was used a lot. He called Donna Kitten, they were deeply in love but being both teenagers, she had to do what her father told her to do, which was to stop seeing Ritchie, her dad broke her heart, and Ritchie's.
I had that song on vinyl decades ago ....and gave it to my cousin ....who named his daughter Donna ........I believe Donna was the B side of that record ..
💕 H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !!! 2 0 2 2 💕⭐️ Donna was real. Her father refused to allow her to date Ritchie, because he was Latino, period, end of story. 😠 It was heartbreaking. 😪 ⭐️ ❤️ 🥰❤️ S and M SQUAD IS THE BEST!!! ❤️🥰❤️
He was only 17 yrs old when he recorded this. They were only high school friends from what he later said. The movie portrayed her as his girlfriend but she wasn’t.
Next Ritchie Valens song: Come on, Let's Go. Upbeat 50's rock n roll song. You've already done Donna, La Bamba and I think you've done We Belong Together.
16 year old Donna Ludwig was then Ritchie Valens high school sweetheart in Poicoma, California. Donna's parents really didn't care for Ritchie with him being Hispanic and this forced Ritchie to write a love song to her with would go to US #2 in late 1958 to early 1959 Donna Ludwing Fox has been married 3 times with 2 Daughters and a former real estate agent in Sacramento, California.
Donna was a real person and she went to high school with Ritchie Valens. They started date but her mom and dad didn’t want her to date Ritchie Valens because he was Hispanic now keep in mind this is way back in the 1950s but Richie was a really good person and a really kind individual. Unfortunately, he died in a plane crash with another singer named Buddy Holly and the third singer named the big bopper. They were on a tour in the winter time in South Dakota or North Dakota where it was really really cold and the plane probably crashed because of the snow and the bad weather. Maybe they should’ve waited to the spring time to go on tour in Ritchie Valens would still be alive. He was only 17 when he died at the time which was really really sad.
Back in the 50's Latino's didn't date white blonde girls. Donna was blonde, pretty, and middle-class. Considered too good for Ritchie. Ritchie was told by his friends she was to good for him, but he had something the other boys didn't have, rock n roll.
Donna was his High School Sweetheart, but because HE WAS HISPANIC HER PARENTS DIS APPROVED BIG TIME . I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO ANYONE, CAUSE IM HISPANIC " BUT THIS CRAP NEEDS TO ,,END".
Donna was his high school sweetheart. He really loved her and she loved him. Unfortunately her parents were very prejudice and didn't like that Ritchie was Hispanic and forbid the relationship. He missed her so. So sad her parents would do that.
When Ritchie Valens was singing this song to Donna. It actually wasn't Donna who broke his heart. It was her dad. Her dad didn't like "in this case" latinos. Fun Fact~Donna is still alive today... Unfortunate Fact~Because of his actions Donna and her dad never fixed things. Even after Ritchie had passed away...
Hope you watch the excellent movie made about Ritchie Valens-"La Bamba"-Richie is played by Lou Diamond Phillips, who does an amazing job. Great movie. Another talent taken too soon.
Love love love that movie. Seen it tons of times. Highly recommend.
You're right; it was deeply personal. Donna was his girlfriend whose parents made her break up with him because he was Hispanic. Very sad and a big hit. I've always loved this song for its beauty and its sincerity. I wonder what happened to Donna.
I've always wondered about Donna myself. I don't think her last name was ever known so no way to find out.
@@utericida Yes things were a little more separate in those days but guess what ? Buddy Holly married a Hispanic girl. 😊
Yeah that was ironic and then they end up on that plane, so tragic
sorry for the late reply. Donna maintained a close relation with ritchie's family after his death. constantly helped out with tributes and was considered part of the family
Donna Ludwig also said in interviews that she didn't forgive her father for a long time for never giving her the chance to say goodbye to Ritchie before he left on the fateful Winter Dance Party tour that ultimately claimed the lives of Ritchie, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and the pilot of the plane, Roger Peterson. RIP to them all.
My name is Donna & I was 3 when this song came out. My parents bought the 45 & played it for me often. When they believed I was old enough, they gave me the record, making me promise I'd take care good care of it. I guess I listened well in those days because I still have that original 45!!
Wow original
Donna was Ritchie's high school sweetheart. He recorded this song shortly before his death. BIP
Yes.... However by the time this song became a big hit. they had broken up and moved on .The movie "La Bamba" is not accurate about this, among other things.
Docudramas usually are not accurate about most things portrayed in them
@@Barb5001 So true. I have read and heard many conflicting accounts of their relationship. Great heartfelt song nonetheless. ;)
@@Barb5001 When Donna speaks about the song, she never says they were broken up, so maybe you're the one that's not accurate.
@@Barb5001 one of her interviews made it seem like they were still close even saying that she wanted to say goodbye before he went on tour but her father prohibited it.
Fun fact: Back in 2005 I watched the movie *La Bamba* that tells the story of his life, after seeing it I contacted his producer Bob Keane who made Ritchie Valens into a star back in the 50:s & I got response from him with a signed picture of him & Ritchie together & it was quick, I got the package around 1 & half week after my email was sent & I live in Northern Europe. Sadly, Bob Keane passed few years after. born in 1922- 2009
Wow, that is pretty cool.
@@ajruther67 Thanks, yes I was so overjoyed when I saw that he had read my message & responded to me with the gift
@@lonelylionsingle7582 I can imagine!
@@ajruther67 thanks
how nice of him
He wrote this song for his girlfriend! Her parents made her stop seeing him!
really lol
@@bazookajoe6760 lol, yeah.
@@radicalreactions1633 BEING SARCASTIC
@@bazookajoe6760 Nothing to be sarcastic about.
Yup all because he was Hispanic
Ritchie Valens released "Donna" at the end of 1958. It went to No. 2 in the charts in 1959. The Social Security Administration tracks the popularity of baby names in the US going back a hundred years and the name "Donna" popped into the top five names for baby girls in 1959 and 1960 before dropping out entirely. I suspect the popularity of this song had a lot to do with the sudden rise in the popularity of that name.
My Donna was born in 1962 to parents born in 1943.
thats awesome
An absolutely beautiful song. Heard it when it was on the charts back then, still love it. One of the greatest songs ever in my opinion. Thank u both for keeping great music alive!!
Ritchie sang this to Donna while on the phone with Donna when he was in a phone booth in the movie la Bamba.
You have to watch the movie “La Bamba”. It is the story of Ritchie Valens. He was an up and coming rock star from the Barrio. Donna’s parents wouldn’t let her date him because he was a poor Mexican boy. They dated secretly. He died in the plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. The song American pie is about them, the day the music died.
Shawn and Mel: On a happier note, Donna had actually come back to Ritchie in the months before his passing--so he did have her back with him at the last!
As a Donna growing up in the 60’s
This song always made me smile!❤😊
Feels like I’m being serenaded..😉☺️🥰
this was the most popular song played at the dance in the 60 s every weekend
Love Love Love this song!
His full name is Richard Valenzuela. His name was changed to Ritchie Valens since it had a more rock n roll effect and not so ethnic
Right--because back in the 1950s if you had a Latin name you were a Latin act.
Richard Steven Valenzuela to be exact.
In such a short life Ritchie made some fantastic records
If the movie got it right and Ritchie sang over the phone to his girlfriend Donna, I have always wondered what her father thought when song became a hit (being that it was an interracial relationship) for Ritchie.
I love all these old records your reacting to. I grew up listening to these kind of tunes, so bringing back some great memories for me. Thank you. 😊 🎶🎼🎤🎸
Makes me sad because he really loved Donna and then he passed away 😞
I remember the day the music died we were in the car when something was announced over the radio I was about seven I didn't quite understand my mother told me as she was crying that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper had perished in a plane accident when she said the Big Bopper I started crying so bad I loved the Big Bopper. that is the day I will never forgeqt this song Donna has such a special meaning between my mom and myself and everytime I hear Chantilly Lace by the Big Bopper I think of my grandpa he would tell me sometimes at the dinner table just to get me to laugh he would say hello baby just thinking about all this makes me tear up now. thank you for going down that rabbit hole love y'all
Rest in peace Richie Valentine love your music❤❤❤❤❤❤😂
The California kid amazing voice one of a kind
American Pie was written in memory of the plane crash in Clear Lake City, Iowa, that killed Richie, Buddy and the Big Bopper, by Don Mclain.
The godfather of Latino rock RIP Richie.
Just remember how young this guy was when he passed. What could he have accomplished had he lived.
A Rock N Roll Hall of Famer whose career last only 8 months. He paved the way for us Latinos in music.
Donna has made several talk show appearances talking about what happened to them.
Just love Ritchie. So young to be taken. His music lives forever.
When they recovered his body, they found his bracelet with Donna's name on it. Loved her til the day he died.
still remember the first time I ever heard this on the radio and Donna was Ritchies girl friend before that ill fated trip
La Bamba movie will explain everything, you need to watch this movie. Donna & Richie were in love & dating, but her parents interfered with this love story which is true. RIP Richie Valens, your music lives on 💜☮️🎸
Ritchie is so haunting in “la bamba”. What a song.
he’s just a 17 years old kid here. and died at 17, just a shame
He was still in high school. He attended Pacoima High School, which in 1957 was the scene of a plane crash after two planes crashed into each other and landed on the school property. Ritchie was not in school that day, but it made him afraid of flying, which he had to overcome when he had to tour for his singing career. And then he died in a plane crash at the age of 18.
No offense but, he attended Pacoima Junior High, and then attended San Fernando High School, he lived in Pacoima tho, also he was 17 when he died, sorry if it sounds like I'm being a know it all
Ritchie was a superstar at just 17 !!!
My favorite Ritchie Valens song would be Ooh my head
I can’t imagine the hits he would have put out if he had not died, Buddy Holly as well.
Such a tragic story about Ritchie Valens. He certainly made an impact during his short life.
I remember our baby sitter playing this on her portable record player! The flip side was La Bamba if I recollect. Thx! I love your reactions!
Come on let's go and We belong together are 2 other great hits by him!!!
Simple lyrics but will always stand the test of time. 66 years later Ritchie still singing this from Heaven
I was lucky enough to see the real Donna at a festival in '94. She mentioned she still had a place in her heart for Richie.
I love this song... My older sister use to sing it to me when I was a little one... My name is Donna, ( DonnaJean} and every time I hear it, it takes me back to those early days in Azusa, California, on Murray St . when my sister with her lovely voice would sing this to me and bring me to tears..
Donna now lives in a small community near Sacramento with her third husband. She has two daughters.3 June 2020. her surname when was Ludwig when she was with Richie Valens.
The movie "LaBamba" with Lou Diamond Phillips is about Richie Valens life. Donna was his girlfriend, but, her parents made her break up with him. He wrote that song for her.. You would love the movie.
Now do Let's go! 😊
Donnas parents kinda forced them apart because of his hispanic heritage😥
So true Donna was white, Ritchie was of Mexican descent her parents broke them up. There are videos of interviews with Donna talking about that.
I've got the album that I toughing '59. My cousins knew Donna in high school in van Nuys.
Love these reviews. Keep it up!
Richie, Buddy Holly and "the big bopper" Jiles Perry Richardson and there pilot Roger Petersonwerekilled Feb. 2nd 1959
near Mason City Iowa such talent was lost, but, munic lives on.
My favorite of his!
Beautiful
Richie and his girlfriend had broken up right before he went on tour, her name was DONNA and, he wrote this song about her!
Loved his songs great talent
The saddest part is Ritchie died less than a year after he recorded it. The sadness is doubled knowing this
Y’all have the best reaction videos I’ve seen. Thank you!
His career lasted 8 months and still is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That's is respect a talented 17 yr old lost forever in 1959
Ritchie was an up and coming star recorded this for Donna . He later died in the plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper Very tragic ending for such a great singer
donna was an actual girl ritchie made this song for. from what I know they remained friends after the breakup and she was actually honored by this song later on. pretty sure she passed away now.
Donna is actually still with us!
Sad to say but this was during a time when interracial couples were taboo, the term stick your own kind was used a lot. He called Donna Kitten, they were deeply in love but being both teenagers, she had to do what her father told her to do, which was to stop seeing Ritchie, her dad broke her heart, and Ritchie's.
You got to it awesome!
Everyone sings this too me lol It is even my ring tone
I love it, they're all 10's aren't they!
Mel is so cute! She said “it was Donna? Really ? I love y’all’s reactions.
On Feb 3, 1959 we lost 3 greats. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.
Love this song! Too bad Richie was taken too soon!
Ritchie wrote the song for his girlfriend at the time. Last i heard she was living in Sacramento California
One of my favorites, I am a Donna
Singing them sprung anthems
Donna's Real!👌
Gone almost before we even got to know him.
I will give it 10 to i love is song
He was just 17...starting his career....what don McLean wrote about...the day the music died.😢❤❤ what a voice and heart
I had that song on vinyl decades ago ....and gave it to my cousin ....who named his daughter Donna ........I believe Donna was the B side of that record ..
Donna was his girlfriend in his life. She broke up with him and he wrote this song. But they got back together before he was killed.
💕 H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !!! 2 0 2 2 💕⭐️ Donna was real. Her father refused to allow her to date Ritchie, because he was Latino, period, end of story. 😠 It was heartbreaking. 😪 ⭐️
❤️ 🥰❤️ S and M SQUAD IS THE BEST!!! ❤️🥰❤️
He was only 17 yrs old when he recorded this. They were only high school friends from what he later said. The movie portrayed her as his girlfriend but she wasn’t.
Rock N Roll :)
O grande cantor Richie valens morreu prematuro 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Next Ritchie Valens song: Come on, Let's Go. Upbeat 50's rock n roll song.
You've already done Donna, La Bamba and I think you've done We Belong Together.
I believe Donna is still alive. She'd be around 80.
Yes she lives right outside of Sacramento, California and she will be turning 84 this year.
16 year old Donna Ludwig was then Ritchie Valens high school sweetheart in Poicoma, California. Donna's parents really didn't care for Ritchie with him being Hispanic and this forced Ritchie to write a love song to her with would go to US #2 in late 1958 to early 1959 Donna Ludwing Fox has been married 3 times with 2 Daughters and a former real estate agent in Sacramento, California.
I’m gonna pile on here. It was Donna’s parents that forced their break up.
Ever feel like watching the movie of his life story watch Labamba.
Donna was a real person and she went to high school with Ritchie Valens. They started date but her mom and dad didn’t want her to date Ritchie Valens because he was Hispanic now keep in mind this is way back in the 1950s but Richie was a really good person and a really kind individual. Unfortunately, he died in a plane crash with another singer named Buddy Holly and the third singer named the big bopper. They were on a tour in the winter time in South Dakota or North Dakota where it was really really cold and the plane probably crashed because of the snow and the bad weather. Maybe they should’ve waited to the spring time to go on tour in Ritchie Valens would still be alive. He was only 17 when he died at the time which was really really sad.
Oh I loved this song. Dooona Father made them seperate.
Donna is still alive too my knowledge
RIP, the day the music died. Ritchie Valenz, BIG Bopper, Buddy Holly.
Today is another anniversary of that ill fated tour. I read the coroner's report and was horrific.
You need to watch the movie la bamba and hear the soundtrack versions of his songs. Really good. Sad movie tho. RIP richie man🥺🙏🏻
Back in the 50's Latino's didn't date white blonde girls. Donna was blonde, pretty, and middle-class. Considered too good for Ritchie. Ritchie was told by his friends she was to good for him, but he had something the other boys didn't have, rock n roll.
It reminds me of playing Mafia 2 :) Oh Donna
A voice of honey. G-d bless you Riche, gone far too early ... ;(
Donna was his High School Sweetheart, but because HE WAS HISPANIC HER PARENTS DIS APPROVED BIG TIME . I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO ANYONE, CAUSE IM HISPANIC " BUT THIS CRAP NEEDS TO ,,END".
Donna was his high school sweetheart. He really loved her and she loved him. Unfortunately her parents were very prejudice and didn't like that Ritchie was Hispanic and forbid the relationship. He missed her so. So sad her parents would do that.
☮️💜
Thanks for this. Mr Valens doesn't get the attention he should 🎶🎵
17 year old so sad to loose him and his talent along with the Big Bopper and the great Buddy Holly
When Ritchie Valens was singing this song to Donna. It actually wasn't Donna who broke his heart. It was her dad. Her dad didn't like "in this case" latinos.
Fun Fact~Donna is still alive today...
Unfortunate Fact~Because of his actions Donna and her dad never fixed things. Even after Ritchie had passed away...
please listen to Franki Valle and the four seasons " Sherri " . If you want to hear a voice range.
His birth name is Richard Valenzuela. His his record producer changed it to sell more records.
females can always relate to songs, that was ritchies point