Original subtitles

Come here, Son.

Richie, time to get up.

Will you boil the water?

Come in, my friend. Watch your step.

What happened to my shoes?

Mom!

Get a move on!

Get to work! Move!

Let's go, come on. Move it, Richie. Move it.

The harder you work, the more money you make!

Come on! What's holding you up? Move. Let's go, Richie.

What's going on with the crates, guys? Come on.

Alfredo, hurry up, man.

Come on! We're wasting money!

All right, let's go!

There's the sulfur!

"Don't you touch me," I says.

"I'm tired of being hit by men already."

So then I punched him. His feet went up...

and when he hit the floor, I thought he was dead.

So I says to him, "Sweetheart, if you don't like it, you can I am it."

So he lammed it.

Who needs fruit? - Fruit.

She told him to lick it.

One more, please! - Help me!

I need another crate of fruit!

Richie?

Bob? Bob!

Son. Son.

Hey, Richie, you taking a break already?

So, Mr. Big Shot, you finally showed up, eh?

I'm lucky I even found this place.

Rosie, this is my brother Bob.

So why did you wait a year to join us?

Bob, watch it! My guitar, man.

Sorry, dude. I didn't know that piece of junk was so important to you.

Are you kidding? I even sleep with it.

With no ho? Come on!

Jersey Joe!

Joe Louis! Rocky Mar —

Ow! Ow!

Are you okay? Can you move it?

You all right?

You've grown, cabrón.

Yeah, you're a big sucker for 16!

What's the matter? You miss me?

No. - You should have.

So, what was it like inside?

Hey, man, the joint is the joint.

Why didn't you come home after you got out?

We haven't had a home since Steve died.

Don't be such a dreamer, man!

My dreams are pure rock 'n' roll.

so she has enough time to make me some good tortillas.

Go wash your hands for dinner.

Okay, mama.

Gino!

You little pigs!

I'm gonna tell your mothers on you! You wait and see!

You tell 'em, Rosie.

Mom, what the hell are you doing here?

I came to work. - I came to take you out of this dump.

Not before we make some money.

I mean honest money.

Hey! I've been working, okay? Why can't you believe me for once?

Mom, what's going on?

We're gettin' out of this shithole tomorrow.

Okay, mi hijo.

Okay.

Oh, don't.

Oh, please.

Oh, tell me you love me.

Why didn't you tell me this was your first time?

You didn't ask.

You coming, Richie? - No, I think I'll wait up a while.

You're really something, you know that?

Say, Richie!

What's up, man?

I should ask you.

Ah, hey, wait a minute, man.

Did I horn in on something between — - Just forget it.

I thought you'd changed.

I'm gonna miss you. - Come on, huh?

Rosie.

Come stay with us sometime!

Bob got us a big house in Pacoima. We could go visit L.A.

Rosa, you're gonna be late for work. - My dad wouldn't like it.

Come on, let's go!

I love you, mi hija.

Bye, Connie.

Good-bye, mi hija.

Goodbye, mi hija.

Richie.

Bye, Rosie.

Rosa!

Connie, don't let the baby fall off the chair.

Richie!

Richie, your breakfast is —

Your breakfast is on the table. I'm off to work, eh?

Don't ditch school today! - Thanks, Mom.

Rosie, the baby's with the girls. See you tonight!

Morning, Rosie.

Morning, girls.

Bob come in last night?

He doesn't spend much time at home, does he?

You do.

Yeah, well... I'm me.

Quiet! Class is in session.

Sit there, Miss Ludwig.

Now, take out your history books, chapter seven.

Who is the blonde?

I don't know but I think I'm in love.

Yeah? Well, forget it. She's way above your class, High Tone.

You just concentrate on that audition tonight, huh?

Hi.

Hi.

They call me High Tone. You? - Donna.

Do you mind if I walk with you, Donna?

Sure.

Uh. I mean, no, I don't mind.

Donna. That's a nice name. - Thanks.

Look, on second thought, call me Richie, okay?

Uh... This is my class.

Um...

Where's yours?

It's in the gym. I got P.E.

You're late.

Yeah.

Well, uh, bye.

Donna.

Bye, High Tone.

Party time!

Say, Ed!

Want to buy a kilo?

All right!

You did it! - By the sweat of my balls.

You did it!

Oh, baby.

Hey, all right. Come here!

Richie, I want you to meet Rudy. He's the leader of the Silhouettes.

Yeah, well, look, Valenzuela.

Chino keeps telling me you're a real hotshot.

So — - Whoa, whoa! What's that?

It's my amp. - Looks like something somebody threw away.

Yeah, well, it's mine now.

So don't worry about it.

♪ Well, it's Saturday night And I just got paid ♪

♪ A fool about my money Don't try to save ♪

♪ My heart says "Go, go, have a good time" ♪

♪ 'Cause it's Saturday night And I'm feelin' fine ♪

♪ I'm gonna rock it up ♪

♪ I'm gonna rip it up ♪

♪ I'm gonna shake it up ♪

♪ Gonna roll-it up ♪

♪ I'm gonna rock it up ♪

♪ Have a ball tonight ♪

♪ Got-me a date And I won't be late ♪

♪ Picked her up in my-eighty-eight ♪

♪ I dragged on down by the Union Hall ♪

♪ When the-joint starts jump in" I have a ball ♪

No, lie, dude. I mean, the pendejo was smoking weed.

He was smoking milkweed, man!

I've got it bad.

Go on, Rosie, take a hit, man.

Put a little mota in our love life.

Baby, I need some action tonight.

Oh!

Oh, come on, baby.

Rosie, come here, babe. I was only joking.

Rosie, come on. Open the door.

I'm sorry. - Just go away.

You know what? Let's get going.

And go where? - Home.

Other people sleep, you know.

Hey, you don't have to split, man.

Rosie, we're leaving. Good night. - I'm serious.

Stick around, man. Rosie'll be out in a second.

Hey, Rosie, come on out!

Hassle it out with your old lady.

No. I know what's happening.

Chill, chill, chill. - All right?

Let's go, babe.

Good night, Bob.

Come on, Rosie. Open the door.

I said open the door, goddamn it!

Stop it. I'm trying to sleep.

Open the goddamn door! - Leave me alone!

Just go away. Go get yourself drunk, for all I care.

Okay, bitch, you asked for it.

Our first gig's next Friday night. Let me see if you're ready by then!

Right.

Rosie, are you okay?

Richie, what do you want?

Come here, Rosie.

Nothing. Sorry. My mistake.

No, Bob. It's no use no more.

What?

Can't you ever get enough? Is this all you want me for?

Hey, come here.

Mom?

Mom?

What is it?

I made it. I'm in the Silhouettes.

Really, mi hijo?

Oh, Richie, that's wonderful.

Who's the Silhouettes?

This is not like I expected.

You are not like I expected.

I don't have a life here!

You're always gone.

Do you think I like being here alone?

Look, Rosie, you're not my wife, all right?

Stop being such a drag!

What the shit's eating you, anyway?

I'm pregnant.

Well, aren't you gonna say anything?

What is there to say?

It's not my first

or my last.

You son of a bitch!

Oh, God.

What's going on in there?

You bitch! Is it my fault you got pregnant?

Who else's?

Richie, don't.

It's none of your business. - But I —

You son of a bitch! I am not your puta!

Do you always carry a guitar, Richie?

Uh-huh. It's my future.

Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?

Yeah. Aren't you?

I'm the new kid on the block.

Poor little rich girl.

I'm not rich.

Right.

That's my dad.

This is the kind of place I want for my mom someday.

Hi, Daddy.

Um. Yeah, I gotta go. - Yeah.

Listen, Donna.

I'm playing at a garage party tonight. Would you like to come?

Garage party? - Yeah, it's my big debut.

It'll be a real gas, kitten. Please, come.

Okay.

But I'll have to meet you there. - Okay. No problem.

I wrote down the address for you

just in case.

Yeah. - Oh, okay.

Bye. - Okay, bye-bye.

Hi, Daddy. - Hey, who's the big kid?

Just a friend.

Hmm.

What is he, Italian?

Come on, baby, let's go! - Okay, I'm coming.

♪ Fine, fine, fine Please be fine ♪

♪ Charlena ♪

♪ Oh, Charlena ♪

Mom, look at Richie. - I see him.

♪ Charlena, don't-you know I care ♪

♪ Fine, fine, fine Please be mine, Charlena ♪

Take it away, Joe.

♪ Charlena, don't-you know I care ♪

♪ Charlena, don't-you know I love you ♪

♪ Good night, my love ♪

♪ Pleasant dreams ♪

♪ Sleep tight, my love ♪

♪ May tomorrow be ♪

♪ Sunny and bright ♪

Mama, when's Richie gonna sing?

Pretty soon. Now, stop asking me, okay, Connie?

We wish to thank each and every one of you

for attending our dance tonight

and sincerely hope you had an evening to remember.

So, until next time,

speaking for myself, Rudy Castro, and all the guys in the band,

we are the Silhouettes bidding you a good night.

♪ Good night ♪

That Rudy is a cool cat, ain't he?

Good night, Richie!

What do they mean not letting you sing, Richie?

Who do they want, Elvis?

It's no big deal, Mom. I'll make them come around.

They don't know who the hell they're dealing with.

My granddaddy was a full-blooded Yaqui Indian.

What's the matter? Bad dreams?

I'm sorry, carnal. I didn't mean to wake you up

but I just need a place to crash, man.

No, man, here. Come on. Get some rest!

Now, Brother...

you better keep your ass to the wall, because I'm so messed up

I may take you for Rosie.

I'm sorry.

Where did you get this picture of Steve?

Mom gave it to me right after the funeral.

Man, I wish I could've been there.

Hell, but he was your dad, anyway. Not mine.

Listen, don't forget to turn off the light, okay? Good night.

Hey, Richie? - Yeah.

You been laid yet? - Oh, man!

I'm serious now. I know what your problem is, man.

It's sperm pressure. It's scientific, man.

You got hard-ons all the time. You got nightmares. You got wedgies.

Shut up and go to sleep, okay?

A kid your age needs an authority figure around.

Believe me, I know.

I tried to go, Richie. Honestly.

You don't have to apologize. - Who's apologizing?

My dad wouldn't let me go.

Honest to God? - Honest.

I really wanted to be there.

Whoo, cowboy palace!

I can't do it, honey. Richie's a minor.

He's going to be singing, not drinking.

Rock 'n' roll to a bunch of cowboys. Come on!

My husband, Steve, drank himself to death in here, Howard.

Don't you think you owe his boys something?

We should've brought Chino. I'll need a drummer.

Screw the Silhouettes. I'll keep the beat for you.

Come on. They got drums inside. What are you gonna play?

"Boney Maroni."

"Boney Maroni"? To these shit stompers?

Howard, they're here.

Okay, cut the jukebox. Plug in, guy.

Testing, one, two, three.

Sure good to see you folks out there. Everybody having fun?

Turn the jukebox back on!

One of our local boys is making his professional debut here tonight.

Let's give a great big round of applause

for Ricky Ricardo Valenzuela!

Howdy.

You're just a baby, ain't ya?

Here's one out of Lubbock, Texas. - Lubbock, Texas?

Follow me.

One, two, three, four!

♪ All of my love All of my kiss in' ♪

♪ You don't know What you been missin' ♪

♪ Oh, boy, when you're with me ♪

♪ Oh, boy, the world can see ♪

♪ That you were meant ♪

♪ For me ♪

♪ All my life I've been a-waitin' ♪

♪ Tonight there'll be No hesitatin', oh, boy ♪

♪ When you're with me, oh, boy ♪

♪ The world can see That you were meant ♪

♪ For me ♪

♪ Stars appear And the shadow is a-fallin' ♪

♪ You can hear my heart a-callin' ♪

♪ A little bit of lovin" Makes everything right ♪

♪ I'm gonna see my baby tonight ♪

♪ You don't know What you've been missin' ♪

Man, we were rockin'. Man, we were really rollin'.

Didn't I tell you? You don't need no band.

You just play the bars with a drummer.

Me, for instance — -

Talkin' about makin' money!

I'm talking about making music. My music. That's all I care about, man.

Richie, mi hijo.

What you need is exposure, a big place

where you can sell a lot of tickets, put a lot of posters up.

You gotta think big. - You want to be my manager?

Sure! I can do it! I can get the American Legion hall.

Steve was a war veteran. What? You don't think I can do it?

Just for that, you can be my flunky.

Whoa, Mom. Thanks, but no thanks.

Anybody but Bob, okay? - What does that mean?

You just take care of Rosie.

Rosie?

Try staying home for a change!

Listen, punk! I don't need — Okay, stop it!

Richie, don't be so high tone.

Bob, you're your brother's keeper.

You never heard of that?

Morning, Connie, Richie.

Morning.

Rosie, you missed a great show last night.

Richie was wonderful. - Really?

I'm not surprised.

I'm flyin' this coop. Catch you all later.

I'm late for work. What did I do with my purse?

Flying the coop. That's it!

Richard Valenzuela and his Flying Guitar!

This is it. What do you think, guys?

This is beautiful! - We can raise the roof off this joint.

You're dreaming. They wouldn't even let us into this place.

No, I told you. My mom set it all up.

Since when is your mama running this band?

We need all the breaks we can get. - Richie's right, man.

No dice, Chino. I decide what's best for the Silhouettes.

This ain't it, so let's beat it outta here.

What's his problem?

Are you guys coming or what?

I guess it's what.

What's going on?

Show business, mi hijo.

Show business? These look like shit.

A monkey could draw better than this. - Oh, yeah?

Should've kept my mouth shut.

Every wall, every liquor store,

every telephone pole in town!

Hit 'em all! All right, man!

Richard Valenzuela and his Flying Guitar.

Next week, at the San Fernando American Legion hall,

Ricardo Valenzuela and his Flying Guitar.

I'll see you at midnight.

Lelo, help Ernestine hang up some of that crepe paper across here.

Go, get that.

Those chairs don't go there, Phillipe. They don't go there.

Put it here.

You are looking really handsome, Richie.

The girls are gonna go crazy over you.

There's only one girl I care about. - Who's that?

Nobody you'd know.

Is everything in order in here? - Perfect. Thanks, Rosie.

We're gonna pack the place, Mom.

I hope so. We paid for this place with our rent money.

One of these days, I'm gonna buy you the house of your dreams. I promise.

Tell me about it. Where is Bob? Lelo!

♪ Hey, hey, now, now, baby ♪

♪ Let's just go on and on ♪

♪ Voodoo, doo, doo, darling ♪

♪ I just want you more and more ♪

♪ It won't be the tutti-frutti No lie about it ♪

♪ Come on, baby Just rock, rock, rock ♪

♪ Well, knock, knock Knock, knock, honey ♪

♪ We're gonna rock all night ♪

♪ Ba-ba-ba-ba-baby ♪

♪ We're just goin' on fine ♪

♪ Come on, on, on, now, darling ♪

♪ Ooh, my head ♪

♪ Let's go ♪

Three cokes, 30 cents. Here's your change.

Ten cases.

Counting the door, that's 150 bucks.

We gotta do this again.

♪ Now, now, now, now, baby ♪

♪ Keep me rockin' along ♪

♪ Well, I just need you, darlin' ♪

♪ I want you all night long ♪

♪ Well, now ♪

Did you find Bob? - What do you want? No.

Did you look? - Sure.

Whoo, Whoo!

He's pretty good, huh? - He's great.

What'll you have? - Can I have a Coke?

All right.

Here's a little number —

Here's a little number for the criminal element here tonight.

And you know who you are! - Ten cents.

One, two, three!

♪ I was walkin' down the street ♪

♪ Mindin' my own affair ♪

♪ When two policemen ♪

♪ Grabbed me unaware ♪

♪ They says, "Your name Henry?" ♪

♪ And I says, "Why, sure" ♪

♪ They says, "You're the boy I've been lookin' for!" ♪

♪ Yeah, I was framed ♪

♪ Well, I was blamed ♪

♪ Framed, framed, framed ♪

Look at my Richie. Shining like a star.

Look at Bob.

♪ They took me in the lineup And let those bright lights shine ♪

Bob.

You're drunk, Bob. Give me that bottle!

♪ I knew I was the victim Of someone's evil plan ♪

♪ When the stool pigeon walked in And said, "There's your man!" ♪

Yeah, all right!

Yeah, Richie!

♪ I do nothin' wrong ♪

♪ But I always get blamed ♪

One more time.

That's my brother!

Out of my way! - Asshole!

Come on!

Bob!

Stop it!

Why, Bob?

How could you do this to Richie?

To Richie? I did this to me, okay?

That's my Bob. Always thinking of others first.

Shut your goddamn mouth! - Don't take it out on Rosie.

Richie, you don't understand.

You don't understand a goddamn thing!

What do you think, the whole fucking world revolves around you?

Is this where you live?

No.

I live down the street.

I'll take you home.

Why don't we just go for a drive? - Okay. You drive.

Well, what do you think?

Not bad, for a birthday present.

You say you're not rich?

My dad sells cars. Can I help it if he knows his business?

He just didn't want me walking home anymore.

Because of me?

How come you've been avoiding me?

Was it that blowout at the dance?

Don't be silly!

Then what's the problem?

My dad.

Does it mean I can't ask you out on a regular date?

Why don't you ask me?

I got my own wheels now. Who cares what my father thinks?

Whoo!

Get your ass in gear, Morales!

We still got a lot of places to stop at.

Hey, look at this.

It's Woody Woodpecker and Buzz Buzzard.

Hey, this is the real stuff. They make cartoons out of these.

Can it, jerk-off. It's kiddy stuff.

Finders, keepers.

Trash.

Eat it!

Yes? - Um...

Good morning, ma'am, uh,

does Richard Valenzuela live here? - Yeah, he lives here. Why?

♪ This old man ♪

♪ He played six ♪

♪ He played knickknack on a stick ♪

♪ With a knickknack, paddiwack Give a dog a bone ♪

♪ This old man came rolling home ♪

♪ Alright ♪

Happy birthday, mi hija.

That was good. - Richie.

Richie, there's a man here who wants to talk to you.

Hi, Richie. Mind if I call you Richie?

My name is Bob Keane. I'm president of Del-Fi Records in Hollywood.

Can we talk?

I don't speak Spanish.

But we can speak business.

Look, let me just say that I really dig your music

and I'd like to record it.

What do you say?

Welcome to Del-Fi Records. I work out of the basement.

This is your recording studio?

The Ampex is good. The mikes are excellent.

What more do you need? Relax, Richie. This is just for starters.

Now, I thought we'd start off easy.

Play a few riffs, move on to some vocals, nothing heavy.

And then when you're ready, we'll record a little.

Okay? - You mean today?

What about my band?

Frankly, Richie, I can't use any of them. Is that a problem?

Yeah. They're my buddies.

Thank you. Excuse me.

Wait, Richie. Wait a minute, man!

Look, I understand about friendship.

But I'm being honest here.

Not everybody in this world gets a shot at the brass ring.

You're gonna have to ask yourself what's more important.

Your friends or your music?

My family.

♪ You're mine ♪

♪ And we belong together ♪

♪ Yes, we belong together ♪

♪ For eternity ♪

Bob?

Is that you? - Hey, Richie, come here.

Look at that! - Did you trace this or what?

Trace? Hell, this is freehand. Look at this!

Art contest, man. $500 in prizes.

Think I should enter it?

Yeah, man, go for broke.

Rosie!

♪ You're mine ♪

♪ And we belong together ♪

♪ Yes, we belong together ♪

♪ For eternity ♪

♪ Eternity ♪

Fantastic.

I wasn't really there when it happened, but in the dream it's like I am.

My best friend got killed.

Got crushed by one of those falling planes.

Where were you that day?

My grandfather's funeral.

I guess his death saved my life, huh?

Thank you.

My mom says it means I was saved for something really special.

Know what it is? - Rock 'n' roll.

Yeah.

I'm gonna be a star...

and stars don't fall out of the sky, do they?

You think I'm gonna dump garbage for the rest of my life?

How are you gonna support the baby? Drawing Woody Woodpecker?

I don't want that piece of junk in here.

Then to hell with you. You don't respect any shit I do.

What about your respect for me?

I almost have to rape her just to have sex.

To her, it's dirty.

Look, Bob.

It's cool if you move in with me, man,

but what about when the baby comes? Shouldn't you be with Rosie?

Hey, my old man wasn't around when I was born.

Why should I be?

Richie!

Figure it out, man.

There you are. Mi hijo.

Bob Keane called me at the restaurant.

You're recording at Gold Star Studios next Wednesday.

Right in Hollywood.

Didn't you hear me?

That means he's gonna put you under contract with Del-Fi.

Oh, Richie, I'm so happy.

It's only the beginning, mi hijo.

Bob has great news too. Come on, tell her, man!

That art contest. I won it. $500 in prizes.

That's great. With the baby coming, that money will come in handy—

In art lessons.

See? They gave me a drafting table.

See?

All our dreams are gonna come true now. I just know it.

♪ Well, now, baby, baby I love you so now ♪

♪ Now I'll never, never Let you go now ♪

♪ Come on, little baby Let's go bye-bye ♪

Cut, Richie. Let's start again.

♪ Well, I'll kiss you once And I'll kiss you once again now ♪

Cut! Don't rewrite the song. Do it the way you did it the first time.

♪ Hey, hey, baby, baby Tell me you love me ♪

♪ That you are always Thinking of me ♪

♪ Come on, come on Let's go again and again ♪

Cut! Richie that was our fault.

♪ Hey, hey, baby, baby Tell me you love me ♪

♪ That you are always Thinking of me ♪

♪ Come on, come on, let's go And again and again and again ♪

Cut! That's more right on, Richie...

but that "little darling" line, I like that better, all right?

♪ Let's go, let's go Let's go, little sweetheart ♪

Cut!

I don't see what's wrong with those takes. That's the way I sing.

Each take has to be identical. - Why?

So that we can edit later.

Look, this isn't Mexico. - Who said it was?

I understand the tradition of the song. They're always changing the lyrics.

I've never even been to Mexico. My music is my music, huh?

You tell him, carnal.

Look, how many more takes?

As many as it takes, okay?

♪ Oh, well, baby, I love you so ♪

♪ And I'll never let you go ♪

♪ So come on, baby Come on home ♪

♪ Oh, pretty baby I love you so ♪

Well — - Cut! That was good.

Same energy. Just try it again.

♪ Come on, let's go And do it again ♪

♪ Again and again and again ♪

♪ And then again And again and again ♪

♪ Come on, let's go And do it again ♪

Shall I get a new roll of tape?

No. I think we got him. I can cut something here.

Nice work, Richie. Sixty takes man, huh?

How's the throat? I think we got it.

Sixty takes. I didn't hear a difference in one of 'em, man.

I'm ready to go home. - Sure.

I want to discuss one thing with you, okay? Come here.

What is it? - Your professional name.

From now on, it's Ritchie with a "T."

R-I-T-C-H-I-E.

I got a new last name for you too.

Valens with an "S." Ritchie Valens.

How does that grab you? - I don't like it.

That's for shit, man! Valenzuela was our dad's last name.

You can't just cut it in half. - It's no big deal.

People in this business change their names like they change wives.

Even me. My last name is Kuhn.

Look, trust me on this one.

Let's go.

Thanks.

Look, it could've been worse. You could've been Ricky Zuela.

Hello? - Hello?

Is Donna in? - No, Donna's not in.

This is her father. Can I help you?

Daddy, who is it? Is it Ritchie?

Uh, yeah.

Could you tell her that Ritchie called again, please?

Yeah, okay.

He plays that goddamn jungle music. Need I say more?

Come on, honey! You said yourself it's not serious.

I hate Dad when he acts like that. I just hate him!

Good morning, all you survivors.

Call right now. I'd love to talk to you.

We got evicted. - That's terrible.

We're sleeping in the car. My wife is pregnant.

You're really down about it, huh? - Yeah. She's in the car right now.

Your wife is sleeping in the car? - Yeah, she's there right now.

What kind of car do you have? - A Rolls-Royce.

Hey, your mom listens to KFWB, right?

Well, Ritchie Valens' mom out there in Pacoima listens too

and she's gotta be proud of her boy today.

Oh! Ritchie's got a song headed for the top of the charts with a bullet.

Ritchie Valens' "Come On Let's Go"!

Bob, how are you? - Good.

Valens. Um, French, right?

How did you know?

Ese, ese. Come on, man.

He's a barrio kid from the valley. - Not for long.

Pretty good. - I know.

Okay, everybody, keep it down! That's my Ritchie on the radio!

Connie, how about a beer?

Not while I'm working, but I'll get you one.

No, I'm sorry. Donna's studying.

Summertime, pizza fans! Here's a special contest to kick off summer.

We have a special mystery guest here in the studio. Say hello.

Uh, hello.

Here's what you do. Our mystery guest comes from the San Fernando Valley.

What does he have in common with the vice president of the United States?

The first person to call and identify this mystery guest

will win 12 fresh, hot pizzas.

And here is the kicker. This mystery guest will deliver the pizzas

and have a pizza party at your place free from KFWB.

No, Donna's not here.

Thank you. - She's out on a date.

Yeah. Right.

Yes, may I help you?

May I see Donna?

Please. I know she's here.

Just one moment.

Donna.

It's Ritchie.

It's better not to lead him on, dear. You know how your father is.

Okay.

Hi, Ritchie.

Can we take a walk?

No, I can't.

Okay, let's not beat around the bush. Are you seeing other guys?

Yeah, I've been out a few times. What's wrong with that?

You're my girl!

And when am I supposed to see you?

I can't just tag along to all your appearances.

I mean, all those other girls — - I don't care about those other girls.

What am I supposed to do?

You don't have time for me right now. - You want to break it off?

I don't know what I want anymore.

I'll see you around sometime.

Ritchie.

♪ I've never been the same ♪

♪ 'Cause I love my girl ♪

♪ Donna, oh, where can you be ♪

♪ Where can you be ♪

♪ Oh, Donna ♪

Yoo-hoo!

Hello?

I'm sorry.

♪ Oh, Donna ♪

That's it. That's your song.

Thought you'd like to hear it.

It's beautiful. - Thank you.

Bye. - Yeah.

Come on, man. Now, I think I know what your problem is.

It's time we did something about it.

Come on. Let's go. - Where to?

Hey, let's just go, okay?

I should've done this a long time ago. Come on! Hop on!

Done what? - Gotten you some tail, man.

Oh, man!

Ritchie with a "T".

I'm gonna show you the best part of T.J., man!

Cold beer, horny women.

Ritchie, come here. Check it out.

Don't worry. It smell like fish, but it taste like chicken.

You're all right, man.

Man, I tell you, this is your manager's job —

getting you some tail.

I mean, he looks at you, I bet he sees a meal ticket.

Man, come on. Change the record, will you?

Look, man. Ritchie Valens.

With a name like that, nobody's gonna suspect you're Mexican.

I mean, look, I think it's an insult to Steve's memory.

Come on!

Steve was so gung-ho American, he'd be proud of anything I do.

So lay off, okay? It's my name.

Yeah, it's your name, man.

Those pochitos are from across the border.

What did she say?

She likes your big...

What do you think? - Looks like a high school prom.

Only this prom puts out.

Don't touch me, asshole! - Stop drinking!

Whoa. Wanna have some fun, kid?

Come on!

Oh, babe. Mmm.

Look at those bongos. Get in there!

I can see fine.

Pick one you like.

They'll like you. It's guaranteed.

Come here!

Mmm.

Well?

I don't know, you know. It's really hard to choose.

Shit, take two, man. It's on me.

"La Bamba."

Ritchie, come here, man.

I brought you here to get laid. - Later.

♪ Para bailar la bamba ♪

♪ Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia ♪

♪ Una poca de gracia y otra cosita Ay, arriba y arriba ♪

♪ Ay, arriba y arriba y arriba iré ♪

♪ Yo no soy marinero ♪

♪ Yo no soy marinero, por ti seré ♪

♪ Por ti seré, por ti seré ♪

Well, what's your name?

Rosalinda.

♪ En mi casa me dicen ♪

♪ En mi casa me dicen el inocente porque tengo muchachas ♪

♪ Porque tengo muchachas de 15 a 20 ♪

I'm coming!

Rosie.

Oh, Connie, I need your help.

It's the baby. My God! Where's Bob?

For God's sake.

I'm gonna get Ritchie, okay?

It's gonna be okay.

Stop!

Boy. How are you feeling, kid?

Pretty rough. Right? No?

Uh...

Yo no speako Español.

What's the big idea, leaving me alone with this old man?

I had some business to take care of in T.J.

Besides, you were sleeping it off, stud.

Was I that drunk last night? - You were screwed, blewed and tattooed.

Look at that! Well, at least tattooed anyway.

Guys, breakfast is ready.

Be right there, Pops.

The old man wants us to eat breakfast.

I never had snake before.

It's not bad. - You like it?

Life is a snake.

A snake crawling out of its own dead skin.

Like a dream.

What's he saying?

He says, "Life is a snake.

A snake crawling out of its own dead skin...

like a dream."

He's a curandero, a healer.

A wise man.

He's sort of my spiritual father.

I've been coming to him for years.

Take this offering, my son!

He's giving you that.

To live is to sleep.

"To live is to sleep.

To die is to awaken.

To die is to awaken."

I told him about your nightmares.

That talisman will help

if you believe in it.

What is all this?

Mexico.

Mexico?

You went to Tijuana without telling anybody?

A fine pair of sinvergüenzas.

I could expect this from Bob, but not you, Ritchie.

So, what did you do? Drink the night away?

Okay, it was my fault. I took him there.

How's Rosie? - She's in the hospital.

Where else?

She was all alone in here. I had to drive her to the hospital.

She was in labor all day with the baby. Do you hear me?

Do you care about anything?

Go ahead! Go play with your bike.

Did Rosie have a boy or a girl?

She had a girl. We named her Brenda.

What's this?

Bob —

Bob.

♪ Well, darlin' ♪

♪ Now that you're gone ♪

♪ I don't know ♪

♪ What I'll do ♪

♪ Our love's gone ♪

♪ And all my love ♪

♪ For you ♪

♪ I had a girl ♪

♪ And Donna was her name ♪

♪ Since she left me ♪

♪ I've never been the same ♪

♪ 'Cause I love my girl ♪

♪ Donna, oh, where can you be ♪

♪ Where can you be ♪

♪ Oh, Donna ♪

That's beautiful, Ritchie. That's the one.

Coming up in September, we have the Pacific Ocean Park

followed by the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

High tone lunch, huh?

Followed by...

Are you listening?

A week's booking in San Francisco. Ritchie, we fly up for that one.

Fly? I'd rather drive.

Ritchie, please, it's a long drive.

I don't care. I never fly. Man, I told you.

I have my reasons.

All right. I'll see what I can do.

Now, we still need another single to go along with "Donna."

How about "Suzie"?

How about "La Bamba"?

"La Bamba"? It's not rock 'n' roll.

It is the way I play it. - No, it's a folk song.

I don't want to offend anybody. Besides, it's in Spanish.

That's how I want to sing it. - Rock 'n' roll in Spanish.

You gotta be crazy. - It'll work. Let me have a crack at it!

Even assuming that the other side of "Donna" was a throwaway,

how are you gonna handle the lyrics?

You said yourself you can't speak the language.

If Nat King Cole can sing in Spanish, so can I, right?

Come on, Bob-o.

What do you say, huh?

Bob-o?

Okay, now, smile!

Great!

Drives like a dream.

Beats the hell out of taking the train.

Just how much did this baby cost?

You don't wanna know.

But if all goes well in Philadelphia,

the car is yours.

Philly?

We're going to Philadelphia? - American Bandstand.

Really?

Ritchie, we fly up for that.

Okay?

Come on, let's go!

I thought you didn't like to fly.

I don't, but I love driving fast.

Let me in, damn it! I want to see my daughter!

I'm her father, goddamn it!

You're a goddamn drunk!

Bob, stop it!

Have you gone crazy on me? - Oh, man, I've had it.

I have finally had it.

I want to see my daughter. - Not in your condition.

I went pendeja for the motorcycle and the jacket, but no more.

I want my wife. - You don't want a wife.

He wants a love slave, one that he can kick around.

Sober up, then you can see her tomorrow.

Now, go downstairs and pass out!

I got enough to worry about with Ritchie.

You always worry more about Ritchie!

What about me?

I know you don't give a goddamn about me.

You had me turned in.

You had me locked up!

You think I could ever forgive you for that?

Fuck you!

Little bitch!

Keep me from seeing my kid?

This is my house! I'll kick you all out!

Here you go. - Thank you.

Can you see anything? - Yeah.

I just saw the Grand Canyon. It's a long way down there, boy.

Sir?

You okay?

Yeah.

You know what, Bob-o?

I've always believed I was gonna die in a plane crash.

That's a hell of a thing to say while we're still in the air.

It's do or die, man.

American Bandstand. Philadelphia, PA, huh?

Drink this. Vodka. - Thank you.

Straight.

And away we go. You are all comfortably seated, Presume.

Excellent.

Let's have a nice greeting for a young man

who's making his debut here on American Bandstand.

From Del-Fi Records in Los Angeles,

ladies and gentlemen, here's Ritchie Valens.

Shh.

♪ Oh, Donna ♪

♪ I had a girl ♪

♪ Donna was her name ♪

♪ Since she left me ♪

♪ I've never been the same ♪

♪ 'Cause I love my girl ♪

♪ Donna, oh, where can you be ♪

♪ Where can you be ♪

♪ Now that you're gone ♪

♪ I'm left all alone ♪

♪ All by myself ♪ - What do you want?

Shh.

I got money here. - I don't want your money.

What the hell? I was watching that! Put that back on!

You've had enough for one afternoon.

Put it back on! That dude's my brother.

Yeah, and I'm your Irish uncle. Leave it off!

What did you think of Ritchie on American Bandstand?

It was so keen that he was on there.

I can't believe he sang "Donna." - You are so lucky.

But what about you? Who are you taking to the dance?

Nobody. - Come on!

Hi, kitten. - Hi.

So, where's your car?

It was a loaner. My dad sold it.

Hop in.

I'll see you later. - See you later!

Hiya, Suzie. - Hi, Ritchie.

Hi, Ritchie! Can I have your photograph — I mean, your autograph, please?

Can I get one too? - Can I get one?

I'll do you one better. I'll get you Donna's autograph.

How's that? Come on. Sign it.

Just like old times, huh?

I've really missed you.

I've missed you too.

How's school?

Not the same without you. When are you coming back?

My school days are over, kitten.

Bob-o's got me booked all winter and fall.

I'll be in the Big Apple.

I'm really happy for you, Ritchie.

All your success and everything. You really deserve it.

I'm flying.

I'm really flying.

This way.

Oh, Ritchie.

It's yours, Mom.

It's mine?

Yes.

Come on!

Wow! Is this where we're gonna live? - It's like a castle, huh?

This is home.

Ritchie. - Okay, that's the garage.

Oh, yeah. Over there is the guest house.

Come on, slowpoke!

Isn't it nice, huh?

Right here

is where I think we'll put the swimming pool, huh?

No, the girls can't swim. I don't want no pool.

Okay.

Uh...

Make it an automatic dishwasher! - No problem.

But after we fly back east. - Back again?

Yeah, a 10-day tour, 13 cities,

including a spot on national television.

So congratulations, Mrs. Valens.

Here are the keys to your new home.

Oh, Ritchie.

This is better than Queen For A Day.

I love you, Mom. - Oh, Ritchie.

You're the best.

What's the matter, Ritchie? Nervous?

I'm just a kid from Pacoima.

♪ I'm gonna take two weeks Gonna have a fine vacation ♪

♪ I'm gonna take my problem To the United Nations ♪

♪ Well, I called my congressman And he said, quote, ♪

♪ I'd like to help you, son But you're too young to vote ♪

♪ Sometimes I wonder What I'm a-gonna do ♪

♪ But there ain't no cure For the summertime blues ♪

♪ Yeah! ♪

♪ I said, there ain't no cure For the summertime blues ♪

You're gonna knock 'em dead. - Isn't he wonderful?

Eddie Cochran, a wonderful human being!

And now for you rock cats, another wonderful human being.

Mr. Jackie Wilson!

Whoo!

Eddie, you were great, man. I mean, really great!

It's that live New York audience. Rock 'n' roll's an addiction.

♪ Lonely teardrops ♪

♪ My pillow never dries, no ♪

♪ Lonely teardrops ♪

♪ Come home, come home ♪

♪ Just say you will ♪

Oh, here you are, Ritchie.

Where else would he be, Freed? The kid's got taste.

I need you, Valens. One of the Belmont's got sick.

Probably malnutrition, man. You and your three-ring circus.

Just kidding, boss. - I've gotta move you up.

You're going after Jackie Wilson, about five minutes. You can do it.

Good luck, Ritchie! - They're all out waiting for you.

Come on. Let's go. - Get rocking!

♪ My tears keep falling Falling like rain ♪

♪ My heart's so heavy I can feel the pain ♪

♪ Come on ♪ - ♪ Say you will ♪

♪ Down on my knees ♪

♪ You got me begging please ♪

♪ Lonely, lonely teardrops ♪

♪ They just keep on falling ♪

♪ Come on home ♪

♪ Again ♪

♪ One more time ♪

Let me hear it!

You were great, beautiful.

If they love you, they'll want to kill you.

If they don't, same difference.

And here he is,

America's newest rock 'n' roll sensation,

the California kid, Ritchie Valens!

Here's a bit of a rattlesnake.

♪ Para bailar la bamba ♪

♪ Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia ♪

♪ Una poca de gracia y otra cosita ♪

♪ Ay, arriba y arriba ♪

♪ Ay, arriba y arriba ♪

♪ Por ti seré, por ti seré ♪

♪ Por ti seré ♪

♪ Yo no soy marinero ♪

♪ Yo no soy marinero ♪

♪ Soy capitán, soy capitán, soy capitán ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba, bam ♪

♪ Para bailar La Bamba Para bailar La Bamba ♪

♪ Se necesita una poca de gracia ♪

♪ Una poca de gracia Pa'mí, pa'ti, ay arriba, ay arriba ♪

♪ Para bailar La Bamba ♪

♪ Para bailar La Bamba Se necesita una poca de gracia ♪

♪ Una poca de gracia Pa'mí, pa'ti, ay arriba, ay arriba ♪

♪ Y arriba, y arriba Por ti seré, por ti seré, por ti seré ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba Bamba, bamba ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba ♪

♪ Hey! ♪

This is the last time I want to go away at Christmas.

I promise.

No, I mean it, Bob-o.

Surprise!

Merry Christmas, High Tone.

Ooh, I missed you.

We're proud of you.

Okay, go ahead and open some.

Just the little kids.

Look at all this food! I hope you're hungry.

I could eat a horse. They don't have food like this in New York.

Help yourself! - I don't know where to start.

Seven and seven?

Yeah. What about you?

I'm on the wagon, man. The garbage wagon.

Five dollars a week and all you can eat.

With all this food, I'm staying.

What's this stuff in the bowl? - Menudo. Try it!

Bobby, where's Mom's new dress?

What new dress? - The new dress.

The one I asked you to buy her for Christmas.

You're the asshole with all the money. Why don't you buy it yourself?

Ah.

Don't let him upset you! He's been on the wagon for a month now.

He's meaner when he's drunk. Come on. Help yourself!

What's up?

Everybody, let's go in the living room. I've got a present for Ritchie.

Come on, everybody. Come on, Ritchie.

Shh. Mi hijo.

I feel like I just got mauled by King Kong.

Everybody, let's party. This is a celebration.

My Ritchie is home.

You okay?

I'm okay.

Mama's asking for you.

Why? Is she afraid I'm drunk? I've had one sip of beer tonight.

I gotta admit, it tastes like piss. You want it?

Yeah.

Thanks.

What's your problem?

Old Steve, boy.

He always said you were gonna be somebody, and I bought it too.

That's the way Steve wanted it? That's the way it was gonna be.

Even after he told me he wasn't my dad.

Then when I knew the full score, I understood, see?

I realized why he always treated you just a little bit better than me.

Okay? I said, you know,

"I'll just hang around and take the leftovers like a dog."

That's how much I loved him! Like a goddamn dog!

We don't have to talk about this right now.

No, I want to talk about this right now, and you're gonna listen to me!

This is a crock of shit, man.

He set you up to conquer the world, and he didn't leave me shit!

Nobody told you to throw your life away, man.

I'm only sorry I didn't say something about you being drunk half the time.

You did it to yourself.

Listen to you, coming in here like you own the whole God damn country.

You'll always be that little asshole, following me around in the sticks.

Yeah, I followed you around.

I followed you around because I thought you were somebody then!

Don't you walk out on me!

Don't you ever talk to me like this!

You want it? I'm not Rosie, asshole!

You asked for it.

I'm gonna kill you!

He couldn't have meant it, Ritchie. He's just hurt.

Your success can't be easy for him.

I love you, Donna. I will always love you.

You sound so serious.

I am.

I'm still gonna marry you one of these days.

Will you wait for me? - Yeah, for how long? Forever?

No.

Just till I'm 25.

Then I'll have a big glass cabinet to keep my gold records in.

How's that, huh?

I love you.

I'm never going to let anyone get in the way of my feelings for you

ever again.

Come here!

What?

Come here!

♪ Crying ♪

♪ Waiting, hoping ♪

♪ That you'll come back ♪

♪ I just can't seem ♪

♪ To get you off my mind ♪

The whole heating system in the bus broke down.

The whole bus is shot. You didn't tell me this tour was gonna be like this.

The hell with it. Come home!

You mean quit? - No, man, you're sick.

I'm sorry, Ritchie. I'm really sorry. - No.

I'll stick it out. Just see what you can do about the bus.

Okay.

Look, take care of yourself, and I'll call you tomorrow.

Okay. Bye.

Hello, baby! - Hey, Jake.

How are you feeling?

Listen, Holly is lining up a plane to fly us on to Fargo tonight.

All of us? - Just the headliners, baby.

So you better get with it, or you're gonna get left out in the cold.

You catch my snowdrift, man? Like, the word is out!

All right?

Hey, guys!

♪ Crying ♪

♪ My tears keep a-falling All night long ♪

Hello?

Hello, Bob?

It's me, Ritchie.

What's wrong? - What do you mean?

I can barely hear you. You sound funny.

I got a cold.

Is Mom there? - No one's here. They went to church.

It's just me and my daughter here.

I was getting ready to go, but you know how it is.

Yeah.

I sure wish I was there.

But I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too, huh?

Listen, Bob.

Why don't you fly out to Chicago and meet me, man?

We can finish out the tour together. I got to have some family around me.

You sure you want me around...

after all that happened, all the shit I said?

Hey, those were your real feelings, man.

We're still brothers, aren't we?

Bob, you still there?

Yeah, cabrón, I'm still here

and I'm still your brother.

All right, man. I'll see you in Chicago.

Later, alligator.

Whoa! Where are the broads?

Look at what just rolled in! - Well, hello, baby!

It's cold! Whoo!

Ritchie, here's the situation.

I heard how you felt about flying.

I didn't think you wanted to know about this airplane stuff.

It's between Tommy and you now. I'm gonna toss this coin.

Whoever wins is gonna ride on this plane and sleep in a warm bed tonight.

Whoever loses is gonna freeze his ass off on the bus.

Call her, Ritchie. - Heads.

Heads it is. - Ritchie, let's fly, boy.

Allsup, get back on the bus, have a good ride, man.

We'll see you in North Dakota. - Sorry, Tommy.

That's the first coin toss I ever won.

Hey, come on, let's go.

Bye, Tommy. - Whoa!

Jesus. It's like the Three Stooges.

Whoo! Is it cold!

Yeah.

Ritchie, relax, man. Everything's cool.

Besides, the sky belongs to the stars, right?

We interrupt this program to bring you this bulletin.

Four persons, three identified as nationally famous rock singers,

died early today in a plane crash

five miles north of Clear Lake, Iowa.

Buddy Holly, 22, of Lubbock, Texas,

- Ritchie Valens, 17— - What the shit?

And J.P. Richardson, 29, of Louisiana,

known as the Big Bopper. - Bob.

Did you hear

what the radio said about Ritchie? - Are you sure he said Ritchie?

Oh, my God. What about Connie?

Bob!

Buddy Holly, one of rock 'n'roll's brightest lights...

was best known for his hits, "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be The Day."

What is it? What's the matter?

You better sit down, Donna.

Known for his big international hit, "Chantilly Lace."

Holly chartered the plane

because the bus for the Winter Dance Party Tour had broken down

and had no heating system.

The youngest of the stars killed in this crash was Ritchie Valens.

At 17, this youngster from Pacoima, California

won a place at the top of the charts with his hits "Donna",

"La Bamba"and "Come On Let's Go."

Valens was still in high school

when he was signed to the Del-Filabel

and just a brief eight months later

Ritchie Valens is gone. - No.

Now a selection in honor of the dead.

Not Ritchie!

Not my Ritchie!

Oh, God!

Yet here, in the San Fernando Valley,

as in perhaps the entire nation,

the name of Ritchie Valens...

Ritchie!

♪ Para bailar la bamba ♪

♪ Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia ♪

♪ Una poca de gracia y otra cosita ♪

♪ Ay, arriba y arriba ♪

♪ Ay, arriba y arriba ♪

♪ Por ti seré, por ti seré ♪

♪ Por ti seré ♪

♪ Yo no soy marinero ♪

♪ Yo no soy marinero ♪

♪ Soy capitán, soy capitán, soy capitán ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba, bam ♪

♪ Para bailar La Bamba Para bailar La Bamba ♪

♪ Se necesita una poca de gracia ♪

♪ Una poca de gracia Pa' mí, pa' ti, ay arriba, ay arriba ♪

♪ Para bailar La Bamba ♪

♪ Para bailar La Bamba Se necesita una poca de gracia ♪

♪ Una poca de gracia Pa' mí, pa' ti, ay arriba, ay arriba ♪

♪ Y arriba, y arriba Por ti seré, por ti seré, por ti seré ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba Bamba, bamba ♪

♪ Bamba, bamba ♪

♪ Hey! ♪