“La Bamba” is a traditional Mexican folk song that was revived as a rock ‘n’ roll song when it was recorded by Richie Valens. Although it didn’t become a hit for Valens until after his death in the plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper on February 3, 1959, the crash that Don McLean refers to as “The day the music died.” It remains a popular cover song by Mariachi bands as they sing and ask everyone “To Dance the bamba.
