La Bamba

Ritchie Valens was only 17 when he rewrote rock and roll with a B-side that outlived him and in 1987, La Bamba brought that story roaring back. In this episode, the McGuigan Brothers trace how Lou Diamond Phillips turned a random audition into a career-defining role, how Los Lobos’ version hit #1 worldwide, and how a teen from Pacoima became a forever icon. From studio snapshots to “Producer Kate’s Rate”, “Most Beatley Moment”, and “Ryan’s A&R Guy”, it’s a soundtrack deep-dive that keeps the spirit of Ritchie alive and just maybe, changed our lives along the way.