Richie, time to get up.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SUMMER 1957
The harder you work, the more money you make. What's holding you up?
LA BAMBA
"Don't you touch me", I says. I'm tired of being hit by men already.
So then I punched him. When he hit the floor, I thought he was dead.
So I says: "If you don't like it, you can lam it." So he lammed it.
Richie ... Bob?
Bob! My son ....
So, Mr. Big Shot, you finally showed up.
I'm lucky I even found this place.
Rosie, this is my brother Bob.
Why did you wait a year to join us?
SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL
Bob, watch it. My guitar, man.
Sorry. I didn't know that piece of junk was so important to you.
- Are you kidding? I sleep with it. - With no hole?
Jersey Joe.
Joe Louis.
You okay? Can you move it?
You all right? Can you move it?
You've grown, asshole. You're a big sucker for 16.
What's the matter? You miss me? You should have.
- So, what was it like inside? - Hey, man, the joint is the joint.
- Why didn't you come straight home? - We have no home since Steve died.
- Don't be such a dreamer. - My dreams are pure rock 'n roll.
Connie, Irma. Go wash your hands for dinner. Come on.
You little pigs. I'm gonna tell your mothers on you.
You tell them, Rosie.
- Mom, what are you doing here? - We came to work.
- I'll take you out of this dump. - Not before we make some money.
- I mean honest money. - I've been working.
Why can't you believe me for once?
Mom, what's going on?
We're getting out of this shit hole tomorrow.
Okay ... Okay.
Don't ...
Oh, please ...
Tell me you love me.
Why didn't you tell me this was your first time?
You didn't ask.
- You coming, Richie? - 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.
Hey, wait a minute, man. Did I horn in on something ..?
Just forget it.
I thought you'd changed.
- I'll miss you. Take care, okay? - Come on, mom!
Come stay with us sometime. Bob got us a house in Pacoima close to L.A.
- Rosa, you'll be late for work. - My dad wouldn't like it.
- I love you. - Okay. Bye, Connie.
Goodbye.
Richie ..?
Bye, Rosie.
Rosa!
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THREE MONTHS LATER
Honey, don't let the baby fall off the chair.
Richie ..?
Your breakfast is on the table. I'm off to work. Don't ditch school.
Rosie? The baby's with the girls. See you tonight.
Morning, Rosie. Morning, girls.
Mario ... Mario ...
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.
- Now, take our your history books. - Who is the blonde?
- I don't know. I think I'm in love. - Forget it.
She's way above your class, Hi Tone.
You just concentrate on that audition tonight.
- Hi. - Hi.
- They call me Hi Tone. You? - Donna.
- Mind if I walk with you? - Sure.
I mean, no, I don't mind.
Donna. That's a nice name. On second thought, call me Richie.
This is my class.
Where's yours?
In the gym. I got P.E.
- You're late ... - Yeah.
Well ... bye ... Donna.
Bye, Hi Tone.
Party time.
Say, Ed ... you wanna buy a kilo?
- You did it, carnalito. - By the sweat of my balls.
You did it!
Hey, all right ... Come here.
Richie, I want you to meet Rudy. He's the leader of The Silhouettes.
Yeah, well, look, Valenzuela ... Chino says you're a real hot shot.
- So ... Whoa. What's that? - My amp.
Looks like something someone threw away.
Well, it's mine now ... So don't worry about it.
No lie. The asshole was smoking weed, he was smoking milk weed, man!
Go on, Rosie, take a hit, man. Put a little juice in our love life.
Baby, I need some action tonight.
Come on, baby. Rosie, come here. I was only joking.
- Rosie, open the door. I'm sorry. - Just go away.
Know what? Let's get going.
- Go where? - Home. Other people sleep.
- Wait. You don't have to split. - Rosie, we're leaving. Good night.
Stick around. Rosie will be out in a second. Hey, Rosie, come out!
Hassle it out with your old lady.
I know what's happening. Calm down.
- Let's go. - 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! - Just leave me alone. Go away.
- Go get drunk, for all I care. - Okay, baby. You asked for it.
Our first gig's next Friday night. I'll see if you're ready by then.
- Rosie, are you okay? - Yeah, Richie. What do you want?
- Come here. - Nothing.
Sorry, my mistake.
No, Bob. It's no use. No more.
Don't you ever get enough? Is this all you want me for?
Mom?
- Mom? - What is it?
I made it. I'm in The Silhouettes.
Really, my son? Oh, Richie, that's wonderful.
Wonderful ... Who's The Silhouettes?
This is not like I expected. You're not like I expected.
I don't have a life here.
You're always gone. 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.
- Aren't you going to say anything? - What's there to say?
It's not my first ... or my last.
You son of a bitch!
Oh, my God. What's going on?
Bitch ... You bitch! Is it my fault you got pregnant?
Richie, don't! It's none of your business.
I am not your whore!
- Do you always carry a guitar? - It's my future.
- You're pretty sure of yourself. - Yeah. Aren't you?
- No, I'm the new kid on the block. - Poor little rich girl.
- I'm not rich. - Right.
That's my dad.
I want a place like this for mom.
Hi, daddy.
I gotta go.
Listen, Donna ...
I'm playing at a garage party. Would you like to come? It's my big debut.
It'll be a real gas, kitten. Please, come.
- Okay. I'll have to meet you there. - No problem.
I wrote down the address for you in case ...
- Okay. Bye. - Bye-bye.
- Hi, daddy. - Hi. Who's the big kid?
- Just a friend. - What is he, Italian?
Come on, baby. Let's go. Hurry up.
- Mom, look at Richie. - I see him.
- When is Richie gonna sing? - Pretty soon. Stop asking me.
Thank you for attending our dance. Hope you had an evening to remember.
So, until next time, I, Rudy Castro, and the guys in the band ...
We are The Silhouettes, bidding you a good night.
Good night, Richie.
What do they mean, not letting you sing?
- Who do they want? Elvis? - I'll make them come around.
They don't know who they're dealing with.
My granddaddy was a full-bloodied Yaqui Indian.
What's the matter? Bad dreams?
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up.
I just need a place to crash, man.
No, man. Here, come on. Get some rest.
Keep your ass to the wall. 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 after the funeral.
Man, I wish I could have been there.
However, he was your dad, anyway. Not mine.
Don't forget to turn out the light, okay? Good night.
- Hey, Richie? - Yeah.
- You been laid yet? - Oh, man ...
I'm serious. I know what your problem is, man. Sperm pressure.
It's scientific. You got hard-ons all the time, nightmares ...
Shut up and go to sleep, okay?
A kid your age needs an authority figure around.
Believe me, I know.
- I tried to go. Honestly. - You don't have to apologize.
Who's apologizing? My dad wouldn't let me out. Honest.
Honest. I really wanted to be there.
Cowboy Palace.
I can't do it. Richie's a minor.
- He'll be singing, not drinking. - Yeah.
Rock 'n roll to a bunch of cowboys. Come on.
My husband drank himself to death in here. You owe this boy something.
- I should have brought my drummer. - I'll keep the beat for you.
They got drums. What are you gonna play?
Boney Maronie? To these shit-stompers?
- Howard, they're here. - Okay, cut the jukebox.
Testing. One, two, three ... Good to see you folks. You having fun?
A local boy is making his debut right here. Let's hear it for ...
Rickie Ricardo Valenzuela!
Howdy.
Here's one out of Lubbock, Texas.
Follow me.
We're rocking and rolling. Didn't I tell you? We don't need no band.
We play the bars with the drummer.
Me, for instance. I'm talking about making money!
I'm talking about making my music. That's all I care about, man.
What you need is exposure. A big place where you can sell tickets.
- Think big. - You wanna be my manager?
I can do it. I can get The American Legion Hall. Steve was a veteran.
You don't think I can do it? You can be my flunky.
- No, thanks. Anybody but Bob. - What does that mean?
You just take care of Rosie, okay, stud?
- Try staying home for a change. - Listen, punk ...
Stop it. Richie, don't be so "hi tone." You're your brother's keeper.
You never heard of that?
- Morning, Connie, Richie. - Morning.
You missed a great show last night. Richie was wonderful.
- Really? I'm not surprised. - I'm flying 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? - This is beautiful, man.
We'll raise the roof off this joint.
You're dreaming. They wouldn't even let us in.
- I told you. My mom set it all up. - Does your Mom run this band?
- We need all the breaks we can get. - No dice.
I decide what's best for the band and this ain't it. So let's beat it.
What's his problem, man?
Are you guys coming or what?
I guess it's "what".
- What's going on? - Show business, my son.
Show business? These look like shit. A monkey can draw better than this.
Oh, yeah?
Should have kept my mouth shut.
Every wall, every liquor store, every telephone pole in town.
Hit them all. Now, tear buns!
Richard Valenzuela and His Flying Guitar ...
Hang up some of that crepe paper across there, okay?
Those chairs don't go there, Felipe.
You look really handsome, Richie. The girls will go crazy over you.
There's only one girl I care about. Nobody you'd know.
- Is everything in order? - Perfect. Thanks, Rosie.
- We're gonna pack the place. - I hope so. This is our rent money.
One of these days I'll buy you the house of your dreams. I promise.
Tell me about it. Where is Bob?
- 30 cents. Here's your change. - 10 cases.
Counting the door that's 150 bucks. Lelo, we gotta do this again, man.
Did you find Bob? Did you look?
- Pretty good, huh? - He's great.
- What'll you have? - A Coke.
Here's a little number for the criminal element here tonight.
And you know who you are.
Look at my Richie. He's shining like a star.
Look at Bob.
You're drunk, Bob. Give me that bottle.
Yeah, Richie!
That's my brother!
Asshole!
Stop!
Stop it!
Why, Bob? How could you do this to Richie?
- To Richie? I did this to me! - Always thinking of others first.
- Shut your goddamn mouth. - Don't take it out on Rosie.
You don't understand, man. You don't understand a goddamn thing!
You think the whole fucking world revolves around you?
VALENZUELA 738
- Is this where you live? - No.
I live down the street.
- Hop in. I'll take you home. - Why don't we go for a drive?
Okay. You drive.
Well, what do you think?
Not bad for a birthday present.
- And 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 any more.
Because of me?
How come you've been avoiding me?
Was it that blowout at the dance?
Then what's the problem?
- My dad. - So I can't ask you out on a date?
Why don't you ask me?
I got my own wheels now. Who cares what my father thinks?
COLUMBIA PICTURES
Get your ass in gear. We still got a lot of places to stop at.
Hey, look at this.
It's Woody Woodpecker. And Buzz Buzzard.
This is the real stuff. They make cartoons out of these things.
- It's kiddie stuff. - Finders, keepers.
- Hello. Is Richard Valenzuela here? - He lives here. Why?
Happy Birthday.
- That's good. - This man wants to talk to you.
Hi, Richie. Can I call you Richie?
Bob Keene, president of Del-Fi Records.
- I don't speak Spanish. - But we can speak business.
Let me just say, I really dig your music and would 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 and mikes are excellent.
What more do you need? Relax, Richie. This is just for starters.
We'll start off easy. Play some riffs. Move on to vocals.
- When you're ready, we'll record. - Today? What about my band?
Frankly, I can't use any of them. Is that a problem?
Yeah. They're my buddies.
Thank you. Excuse me.
Richie. Wait a minute, man. Look, I understand about friendship.
I'm being honest here. Not everybody gets a shot at the brass ring.
Ask yourself what's more important. Your friends ... or your music?
My family.
- Bob, is that you? - Come here, man.
- Hey! Did you trace this? - This is free hand. Look at this.
Art contest, man. $500 in prizes.
- Think I should enter it? - Yeah, man. Go for broke.
Rosie!
Fantastic.
I wasn't there when it happened. But in the dream I am.
My best friend got killed. Crushed by one of those falling planes.
- Where were you that day? - My grandfather's funeral.
I guess his death saved my life.
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.
Stars don't fall out of the sky, do they?
- Dump garbage the rest of my life? - How will you support the baby?
Drawing Woody Woodpecker? Get that junk out of here.
- 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, it's cool if you move in, -
- but when the baby comes shouldn't you be with Rosie?
My old man wasn't around when I was born. Why should I be?
- Richie! - Figure it out, man.
There you are. Bob Keene called.
You're recording at Gold Star Studios on Wednesday. In Hollywood.
Did you hear me? That means he'll put you under contract with Del-Fi.
Oh, Richie, I'm so happy!
It's only the beginning, my son.
Bob has great news, too. Tell her, man.
That art contest? I won. 500 dollars in prizes.
Great. With the baby coming ...
In art lessons!
See, they gave me a drafting table.
All our dreams are gonna come true. I just know it.
GOLD STAR RECORDING STUDIO
Cut, Richie. Let's start again.
Cut. Don't rewrite the song. Do it like the first time.
Cut! Richie, that was our fault.
Cut. More right on, but I like that "little darling" line better.
I don't see what's wrong. That's the way I sing.
Each take has to be identical so that we can edit later.
This isn't Mexico. I lived there. I know the tradition of the song.
I've never even been to Mexico. My music is my music.
Look, how many more takes?
As many as it takes, okay?
Cut! That was good. Same energy. Just try it again.
- Shall I get a new roll of tape? - No.
I think we got him. I can cut something here.
Nice work, Richie. 60 takes, man. How's the throat?
- I think we got it. - I didn't hear a difference in one.
- I'm ready to go home. - I want to discuss one thing, okay?
- What is it? - Your professional name.
From now on, it's 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 name.
It's no big deal. People in this business change names like wives.
Even me. Mine is Kuhn.
Look, trust me on this one.
Let's go.
Thanks.
It could have been worse. You could have been Ricky Zuela.
- Hello? - Hello? Is Donna in?
No. I'm her father. Can I help you?
Daddy? Is it Ritchie?
Yeah. Could you tell her that Ritchie called again, please?
Yeah, okay.
He plays that goddamn jungle music. Need I say more?
Honey, you said it wasn't serious.
I hate dad when he acts like that.
Good morning, all you survivors. Call now. I'd love to talk to you.
We got evicted. We're sleeping in the car.
Your wife is pregnant and sleeping in the car? What kind of car?
A Rolls Royce.
Your mom listens to KFWB, right?
Ritchie Valens' mom listens, too. She must be proud of her boy today.
His song is headed up the charts with a bullet.
Ritchie Valens' "Come On Let's Go".
- Bob, how are you? - Pretty good.
- Valens ... French, right? - How did you know?
- Come on, man. He's a barrio kid. - Not for long.
- Pretty good. - I know.
Okay, everybody, keep it down. That's my Ritchie on the radio.
- Hey, Connie, how about a beer? - No, I'm working. I'll get you one.
No, I'm sorry. Donna's studying.
Pizza fans, here's a special contest to kick off summer.
We have a mystery guest.
- Say hello, Mr. Guest. - Hello.
Now, what does our guest have in common with our vice president?
Identify our guest and win 12 fresh hot pizzas.
Our 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. You better not lead him on. You know how your father is.
Hi, Ritchie.
Can we take a walk?
No, I can't.
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. - When am I supposed to see you?
I can't just tag along. All those other girls ...
I don't care about those girls.
What am I supposed to do?
You don't have time for me now.
You want to break it off?
I don't know what I want anymore.
- I'll see you around some time. - Ritchie ...
I've never been the same 'Cause I love my girl
Donna oh where can you be
Where can you be
Oh Donna Oh Donna ...
Hello? Sorry.
That's it. That's your song.
- Thought you'd like to hear it. - It's beautiful.
- Bye. - Yeah.
I think I know what your problem is. It's time we did something about it.
- Let's go. - Where to?
Let's just go. I should have done this a long time ago. Hop on.
- Done what? - Gotten you some tail, man.
TIJUANA
Come on, Ritchie with a T, I'll show you the best part of TJ.
- Ritchie, check it out. - Don't worry.
It smells like fish, but it tastes like chicken.
Your manager should be getting you some tail. You're his meal ticket.
- Hey, come on. Change the record. - Look, man. "Ritchie Valens."
No one will suspect you're Mexican.
It's an insult to Steve's memory.
Steve was so gung-ho American, he'd be proud of anything I do. Lay off.
- It's my name. - Yeah, it's your name, man.
- What did she say? - She liked your big ...
- What do you think? - Looks like a high school prom.
Only this prom puts out.
Oh, baby.
Look at those bongos! Get in there.
I can see fine.
Pick one you like. They'll like you. It's guaranteed.
I don't know. It's hard to choose.
Take two, man. It's on me.
- "La Bamba." - Ritchie, come here, man.
- I brought you here to get laid. - Later.
- And what do they call you? - Rosalina.
I'm coming.
Rosie!
Connie, I need your help.
It's the baby? Where's Bob, for God's sake?
I'm gonna get Ritchie, okay?
It's gonna be okay.
Yo no speako Espanol.
What's the idea of leaving me alone with this old man?
I had some business to take care of. You were sleeping it off, stud.
- Was I that drunk? - Screwed, blewed and tattooed.
Well, at least tattooed, anyway.
He wants us to eat breakfast.
I never had snake before.
It's not bad.
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 and a wise man.
He's sort of my spiritual father. I've been coming to him for years.
He's giving you that.
"To live is to sleep."
"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 idiots.
I could expect this from Bob, but not you, Ritchie.
So what did you do? Drink the night away?
It was my fault. I took him there.
- How's Rosie? - In the hospital, where else?
She was all alone. I drove her myself. She was in labor all day.
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.
Well darling Now that you're gone
I don't know What I'll do
Oh it's gone
And all my love for you
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
Oh Donna Oh Donna ...
That's beautiful, Ritchie. That's the one.
In September we do the Pacific Ocean Park -
- and Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.
Followed by ... Are you listening?
A week's booking in San Francisco. Now, we fly up for that one.
- Fly? No, I'd rather drive. - Please. It's a long drive.
I don't care. I never fly. I have my reasons.
All right. I'll see what I can do.
We still need another single to go along with Donna. How about "Susie"?
- How about "La Bamba?" - It's not rock and roll.
It's a folk song. I don't want to offend anybody. And it's in Spanish.
- That's how I want to sing it. - You gotta be crazy.
It'll work. Just let me try.
Even assuming the other side was a throwaway, what about the lyrics?
You can't speak the language.
If Nat King Cole can sing in Spanish, so can I. Come on, Bob-o.
What do you say, huh?
Bob-o?
Okay, now, smile. Great!
- It drives like a dream. - Beats taking the train.
- How much did it cost? - You don't want to know.
But if all goes well in Philadelphia, it's yours.
- We're going to Philadelphia? - "American Bandstand".
- Really? - Ritchie, we fly up for that.
Okay?
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!
- You're a goddamn drunk. - Stop it. Have you gone crazy?
- I've finally had it. - I want to see my daughter.
- Not in your condition. - I was crazy about you. No more.
- I want my wife. - He wants a love slave.
Sober up and see her tomorrow. Now, go downstairs and pass out.
I've 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?
Little bitch! You can't keep me from seeing my kid.
This is my house. I'll kick you out!
- Here you go. - Thank you.
- You see anything? - Yeah, it's a long way down, boy.
You okay?
Yeah. You know, I always believed I would die in a plane crash.
That's a hell of a thing to say while we're still in the air.
Well, it's do or die, man. "American Bandstand", Philadelphia.
Drink this. Vodka.
Straight.
Away we go. You're all comfortably seated, I presume? Excellent.
Let's have a nice greeting for a man making his debut on our show:
Here's Ritchie Valens.
- What do you want? - Come on, I got money here.
- I don't want your money. - What the hell?
I was watching that. Put it back on.
- You've had enough, buddy. - That dude's my brother.
Yeah, and I'm your Irish uncle, too. Leave it off.
- So what did you think of Ritchie? - I can't believe he sang "Donna".
- You are so lucky. - Who are you taking to the dance?
- Hi, kitten. - Hi.
- So where's your car? - It was a loaner. My dad sold it.
- Hop in. - See you later.
Hi, Ritchie. Can I have your photograph, I mean, autograph?
Can we have your autograph?
I'll get you Donna's, too. Sign it.
- Just like old times, huh? - I really missed you.
I've missed you, too.
- So how's school? - Not the same without you.
- When are you coming back? - I'm 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, Ritchie?
Come on ...
- Wow, is this where we're gonna live? - It's like a castle.
This is home.
Okay, that's the garage. And over there is the guest house.
Look at it. Isn't it nice?
Right here is where we'll put the swimming pool.
- The girls can't swim. No pool. - Oh, okay.
- Make it an automatic dishwasher. - No problem.
But after we fly back east. 10 day tour. 13 cities.
Including a spot on national television. So, congratulations.
Here are the keys to your new home.
Oh, Ritchie. This is better than "Queen For a Day".
Oh, Ritchie. You're the best.
ROCK 'N ROLL SHOW BROOKLYN
STAGE AND SCREEN SHOW ALAN FREED IN PERSON
- What's the matter? Nervous? - Hey, I'm just a kid from Pacoima.
- You're gonna knock them dead. - Eddie Cochrane, a wonderful man.
And now for you rock cats, another wonderful man: Mr. Jackie Wilson!
Yeah. Eddie, you were great, man.
It's that live New York audience, man. Rock 'n roll is an addiction.
- Here you are, Ritchie. - Where else? The kid's got taste.
- I need you. A singer got sick. - This circus gave him malnutrition.
You're going on right after Jackie Wilson. You can do it.
- Good luck. - They're all waiting for you.
If they love you, they 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.
This is the last time I wanna go away for Christmas.
No, I mean it, Bob-o.
Surprise!
Merry Christmas, Hi Tone. I missed you.
Okay, go ahead and open something.
Just the little kids!
- Look at this food. Are you hungry? - I could eat a horse.
- Help yourself. - I don't know where to start.
- Good to see you. - Seven & Seven?
- What about you? - On the wagon. The garbage wagon.
$5 a week and all you can eat. With all this food, I'm staying.
Hey, where's mom's new dress? The one I asked you to buy her?
You're the asshole with the money. Why don't you buy it yourself?
He's been on the wagon for a month now. He's meaner when he's drunk.
Come on, help yourself.
Everybody into the living room. I got a present for Ritchie.
I feel like I just got mauled by King Kong. Okay, let's party.
My Ritchie is home!
- Are you okay, Bob? - Sure, I'm okay.
Mom's asking for you.
Is she afraid I'm drunk? I had one sip and it tastes like piss. Want it?
Yeah. Thanks.
What's your problem, man?
Old Steve always said you were gonna be somebody. I bought it, too.
If that's the way he wanted it, that's the way it was gonna be.
Even after he told me he wasn't my dad. Then I understood.
I realized why he always treated you a little better. "Okay, that's it."
"I'll hang around for leftovers." That's how much I loved Steve.
- Like a goddamn dog! - Let's not talk about that now.
- I want to! And you'll listen. - This is a crock of shit, man.
He set you up to conquer the world. He didn't leave me shit.
Nobody told you to throw your life away. You're drunk half the time.
- You did it to yourself. - You act like you own the country.
You'll always be that little asshole who followed me around.
Yeah, I followed you around. I thought you were somebody. Then.
Don't you walk out on me!
Don't ever talk to me like this!
You want it? I'm not Rosie, asshole. You asked for it, man.
I'm gonna kill you!
He couldn't have meant it. He's just hurt.
Your success can't be easy for him.
I love you. 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?
- For how long? Forever? - No.
Just till I'm 25 and have a glass cabinet for all my gold records.
I love you.
I'll never let anyone get in the way of my feelings for you ever again.
- Come here. - What?
Come here.
BUDDY HOLLY RITCHIE VALES THE BIG BOPPER
WINTER PARTY DANCE TOUR
The whole heating system broke down. The whole bus is shot.
- To hell with it. Come home. - You mean quit?
You're sick. I'm really sorry.
No. I'll stick it out. Just see what you can do about the bus, okay?
- Take care. I'll call you tomorrow. - Okay. Bye.
Hello, baby. How are you feeling, man?
Listen. Holly's got a plane to fly us on to Fargo tonight.
Just the headliners. So get with it, or you'll be left out in the cold.
Are you catching my show drift? The word is out, all right?
- Hello? - Bob?
- It's me, Ritchie. - What's wrong?
- What do you mean? - You sound funny.
- I got a cold. Is Mom there? - No, they all went to church.
Just me and my daughter here. I was gonna go, but you know how it is.
Yeah. Sure wish I was there.
But you can't have your cake and eat it, too.
Listen, Bob ... Why don't you fly out to Chicago and meet me?
We can finish the tour together. I really need some family around.
Are you sure you want me around? After all the shit I said?
Those were your real feelings. We're still brothers, aren't we?
Bob, are you still there?
Yeah, bastard, I'm still here. And I'm still your brother.
All right, man. I'll see you in Chicago.
Later, alligator.
CLEAR LAKE IOWA
- Look what just rolled in. - Hello, baby.
It's cold! All right, Ritchie. Here's the situation.
I heard you didn't like to fly. I didn't think you wanted to come.
It's between Tommy and you now. I'm gonna toss this coin.
Whoever wins is gonna ride on this plane.
Whoever loses is gonna freeze his ass off on the bus, all right?
- Call her, Ritchie. - Heads!
- Heads it is. - Let's fly, boy.
- Allsup, have a good bus ride. - Sorry, Tommy.
- First coin toss I ever won. - Hey, come on. Let's go!
Whoa. Jesus. It's like the Three Stooges.
Is it cold?
Yeah ...
Hey, Ritchie. Relax, man. Everything's cool.
Besides, the sky belongs to the stars, right?
We interrupt to bring you this bulletin.
Four persons, three of them famous rock 'n roll singers, -
- died early today in a plane crash five miles north of Clear Lake.
Buddy Holly, 22, of Lubbock, Texas, Ritchie Valens, 17, of California -
- and J.P. Richardson, 29, of Louisiana, known as The Big Bopper.
Bob, did you hear? Did you hear what they said about Ritchie?
- Are you sure he said Ritchie? - Oh, my God.
What about Connie ..?
Bob!
- What is it? What's the matter? - You better sit down, Donna.
Holly chartered the plane because the tour bus had no heating system.
The youngest victim was Ritchie Valens, 17, of Pacoima, California.
He already had the hits "Donna", "La Bamba" and "Come on, let's go."
Valens was still in high school when he was signed to Del-Fi.
And just a brief eight months later, Ritchie Valens is gone.
No! Not Ritchie.
Not my Ritchie.
Bob, not my Ritchie!
Not Ritchie ... not Ritchie, Bob.
Oh, God.
And here in the San Fernando Valley and perhaps throughout the nation -
- the name of Ritchie Valens ...
Ritchie!