Donna, First Love, True Love. First Love, True Love. In 1957 Ritchie and Donna met at a garage party where Ritchie was playing. It was love at first sight. They shared two and a half years of memories and hearts forever. January 1959, The Winter Dance Party Tour, MN. 1959, Donna’s senior class photo from James Monroe High School.
Photo taken backstage with Donna and the family of Ritchie Valens. Pictured from left to right: Bob Morales, Irma Norton, “Donna” Fox, Mario Ramirez and Connie Valens. Ritchie was my first true love and my first experience losing someone I loved. Ritchie was a truly good guy; kind and polite.
Meet Ritchie’s Donna! Donna in Ritchie’s room with his guitars. Only his Fender guitar is missing. He had taken it with him on his final tour. This photo is taken after Ritchie’s death during an interview.
The pilot himself, Roger Peterson, was just 21. Buddy Holly was 22; J.P. Richardson, ” The Big Bopper ,” was the old man on the plane, at 28. Youngest of all was a rising star of Chicano rock — Latin Rock and Roll — Ritchie Valens.
Who is Ritchie Valens’ mother?
Pictured from left to right: Olga Jurado-Zubick, Ritchie’s cousin; Gail Smith, Ritchie’s classmate and president of the Ritchie Valens Memorial Fan Club; Paulina Lozano, sister of Ritchie’s aunt Ernestine; Ritchie’s mother Connie, better known a “Concha”; Donna Ludwig-Fox; and unknown young woman. Photo taken in May, 1959 at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California.
In 1957 Ritchie and Donna met at a garage party where Ritchie was playing. It was love at first sight. They shared two and a half years of memories and hearts forever. January 1959, The Winter Dance Party Tour, MN. 1959, Donna’s senior class photo from James Monroe High School.
Donna in Ritchie’s room. The Fender guitar had made it home. Also pictured is Ritchie’s Gibson guitar that he and his mom had purchased just a few months earlier. After Ritchie’s passing. Ritchie’s 18th Birthday. On the first anniversary of Ritchie’s death, Ritchie’s mother wanted to honor his memory.
Donna. 1959, Donna’s senior class photo from James Monroe High School. Music sheet with photo of Ritchie, “Donna”. Was released nationally in late October 1959. Ritchie had told Donna that he was writing a song for her. She heard the song for the first time on her car radio – she couldn’t believe it.
Donna was a great comfort to Ritchie’s mom and sisters after Ritchie’s death. Donna has attended the Winter Dance Party Concert for the last several years as a special guest. Her graciousness to Ritchie’s fans and support of Ritchie’s family continues to show the bond that was created almost sixty years ago.
Donna shares her memories of Ritchie. Ritchie was my first true love and my first experience losing someone I loved. Ritchie was a truly good guy; kind and polite. He liked to dress well and always look good. I still remember his aftershave, “Old Spice.”. Ritchie spoke often about his family.
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