Original Ritchie, the Ritchie Valens Store, opened May of 2006. Please click on to Original Ritchie for a visit. We hope you will love what you find there "Our Best Sellers" the music "CD"S" and the T-shirts. The Family would like to thank all of customers both here in the USA , Australia, and the United Kingdom we are not only National but International.

For the best selection in Ritchie Valens CD's just click on "Music" once in Original Ritchie.

Ritchie with his Harmony

News from The Family:

Happy Birthday to Mario and have a Great 50/51 Birthday Party. Happy birthday also goes out to Kristin Connie's daughter born on her uncle Mario's birthday, and Connie's grandson Luke born on the Fourth of July. We are grateful for our Great Nation. Happy Birthday to The United States of America, and our deepest gratitude to our Military for their great sacrifice.

Be the first to get your Ritchie Valens Signature Series Guitar They are available here now !!!
The Harmony H44 Stratotone was originally issued in a golden bronze color. In 1957 when Ritchie got his he decided he would change it up a bit, he painted it. The cool color of the time was a rocking green so he took it to his wood shop class at San Fernando High School and made it his own. Harmony is offering both versions the before offered in the golden bronze color and the green Ritchie Valens version. Only the green has the Ritchie Valens Signature.

The Family is offering them at the special price of $749.00. Click here to order yours. Due to Harmony's request all dealer's must sell for the standard retail price of $749.00, we apologize for the price change.Suggested list price is $999.99

Coming Soon: "Donna" Ritchie's Girl. A page with photo's of Donna.

Donna's Page goes live this month. Be watching!!!.
 

FYI: Our good friend Ken Haskins AKA The Rockin' Rev has just released his first book "Reminiscing with Music Legends" Volume 1, in his new book The Rockin' Rev says I lived a dream. I hosted a long running and popular radio program "Reminiscing With The Rockin' Rev." In the process, I was privileged to interview, and in many cases meet, hundreds of my musical hero's. I was able to get to know a little bit about the talented artists who made the music that has become an integral part of my life. Now you can get to know them too.( Note: there are interviews with Ritchie's Donna and Ritchie's sister Connie along with photo's of both.) There are 50 interviews and both vintage and new photo's of the artists. Cost of the book $19.99 available on ebay (ebay.com) under songs4ever.

News from Mario:

Mario and the Backyard Blues Band will be traveling to Arnold's Park Iowa next month to perform at The Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association Hall of Fame. Be ready for three great days of music August 30, 31 & September 1, 2008. For information on attending this great event go to www.iowarocknroll.com.

Mario performing at the 2007 IRRMA Awards show:

Great News Backyard Blues Fan's the website is now "LIVE": www.backyardblues.com

The Namm show was a spectacular success. The excitement about Harmony Guitars Vintage Re-Issues was more then we all expected. With Harmony not showing at the Namm Show in over 30 years WOW what a come back. And the excitement created by having Ritchie's siblings Bob, Mario & Connie present to relauch Ritchie's first guitar the H44 Ritchie Valens Signature was overwhelming the photo-ops and jam sessions, Yes on Ritchie's H44 with Mario on his harp. Amazing. Thank you to Charlie the owner of Harmony for his warm welcome and generosity and to Chris and Nabor and the wonderful team of friends that came out to California to help at the show.

Charlie Subecz owner of Harmony Guitars shows the Reissue of Ritchie's H44 Stratotone to Mario and Connie:

Ritchie's Family along with Pat Wortink from Legend Gold Records presented Harmony Guitars owner Charlie Subecz with Gold Record Plaque. Ritchie recorded his first 3 hit's Come On Let's Go, Donna and La Bamba on his first guitar the H44 Stratotone:

Harmony Guitars new website just went live be sure to go to our links page. Their new site is amazing be sure to stop in and check out Ritchie's Signature Reissue also the Harmony Rocket created a lot of buzz at The NAMM show.

A Reissue of Ritchie's First Guitar

The Ritchie Valens Family and The Harmony Guitar Company are pleased to announce the reissue of Ritchie's first guitar, the H44 Stratotone, the Ritchie Valens H44 Stratotone Signature Series. Please click here for more information.