Latest news with #RitchieValens
Chicago Tribune
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Between Elgin and Sleepy Hollow, Fourth of July fun goes all weekend
There can be no complaints that there's nothing to do this Fourth of July weekend given the full slate of activities planned by the city of Elgin and the Sleepy Hollow Service Club. Elgin's celebration gets underway at 9 a.m. Friday with the city's traditional parade, featuring 90 floats, marching bands, dance troupes and other participants working their way through the streets of downtown. This year's parade grand marshal is the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. The two-hour procession steps off at Douglas and Slade avenues, and follows a route south down North Grove Avenue to its end at Grove and Division Street, near the Elgin City Hall. Simultaneously, Elgin's pet parade will be stepping off from the NorthEast Neighborhood Association's Butterfly Garden near the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Ann Street. Participants will end up on the same route as the main parade, officials said. Following the pageant, festivities resume in the afternoon at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., where there will be food trucks, children's activities, games and live music. The onstage concert lineup starts at 5 p.m. with old school R&B act The Moods taking the stage, followed by Ritchie Valens tribute act The LaBamba Show at 6:30 p.m. and Shawn Klush's 'The Ultimate Elvis Experience' at 8 p.m. Between 7:30 and 8 p.m., there will be a pie-eating contest. Elgin's big fireworks show is scheduled to begin about 9:20 p.m. and will last 15 to 20 minutes. 'Each year there are between 8,000 and 10,000 people watching the Fourth of July parade,' said Amanda Harris, the city's director of arts and cultural events. 'The Fourth of July celebration in the park brings between 12,000 to 15,000 people, with a few thousand more watching the fireworks across the Fox River on the west side.' While the park activities are free, there's also an option to pay for a $25 ticket to get access to a VIP Lounge Area set up in Festival Park. It includes a bar, lawn seating, restrooms and an elevated viewing deck with umbrellas, ambient lighting, and great views of the stage and fireworks. Tickets are required for anyone 12 or older. Each paying adult can bring in two children under the age of 12 for free. Chairs are not provided, so guests will need to bring their own seating. The VIP area will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to Both events will require street closures and some parking restrictions so attendees are encourage to leave extra time to get around. There will be plenty of places to park; a map of downtown parking is available at The fun is not limited to just Elgin. The Sleepy Hollow Service Club will be holding its annual Fourth of July fest from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday in Sabatino Park, 1 Thorobred Lane. Club Vice President John Florance said they've been hosting Independence Day events and fireworks pretty much from its inception back in 1973. This year things get underway at 8 a.m. with a 1-mile fun run starting at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, followed at 9 a.m. by the Bob Zdenek Memorial Fishing Derby at Lake Sharon, according to the village's website. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a free car show. People who want to enter a vehicle will pay a $15 fee, with proceeds going to the Illinois Special Olympics. Food and beverage stands open at 10:30 a.m., just before the Bill Ritchie Memorial Parade steps off at 11:30. A fire truck from the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department leads the show, followed by floats, tractors, children on bikes and skateboards, and other participants. Entertainment is available from noon to 4 p.m., with live music from pop and rock cover band The Lennys and kid-friendly games open from 1 to 3 p.m. The club also stages a pie-eating contest, a tradition that started one year when there were a lot of pies left over from a bake sale, Florance said. The competition begins at 2:30 p.m. 'It's like watching World Wrestling (Entertainment),' Florance said. 'I shouldn't like it, but I do.' The day will wind down with the pulling of winning raffle tickets, he said. Sunday night is when the service club stages the village's fireworks display at Sabatino Park. Parking costs $20 and opens at 7 p.m. for a lower-to-the-ground display that starts about 9:30 p.m. and lasts 22 to 25 minutes. The per-car fee helps offset the cost of the fireworks, Florance said. Holding the show on a Sunday night is more affordable and easier to schedule given that most towns are wanting to hold their displays on July 4 or 5, he said. Plus, they won't be competing with bigger shows in other towns, Florance said. The timing also helps because club members are working all day on the Friday events and this provides a break in between activities, he said. The club holds fundraisers to make sure they have enough money for the Fourth of July fest and fireworks and its annual Halloween in the Hallow event, which always culminates with a ride by the village's 'Headless Horseman,' he said. For more information, go to
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Flames, heavy smoke damage home near 215, Summerlin Parkway
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Firefighters fought flames and smoke at a Summerlin home in the west valley Thursday morning. Smoke from the fire, which was reported around 6:40 a.m., could be seen from many parts of the Las Vegas valley. The home is located on Clarion Lane near Summerlin Parkway and the 215 Beltway. It's believed the fire may have started in the garage and spread into the home's attic. The garage roof collapsed during the fire, and the home received significant damage. The owner of the home told 8NewsNow he had two vehicles in the garage, including a 1957 Chevy Corvette Convertible that was used in the movie 'La Bamba,' which told the story of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Ritchie Valens. No details on what caused the fire or the extent of damage were released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Edinburgh Live
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Heartbreaking life of music superstar in 'greatest' film fans have just days to watch
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The brief yet influential life of American Chicano rock and roll musician Ritchie Valens has been poignantly portrayed in the 1987 biopic La Bamba. Penned and directed by Luis Valdez, La Bamba chronicles the life and fleeting musical career of Valens - renowned as a trailblazer of rock and roll and a progenitor of the Chicano rock movement. Lou Diamond Phillips takes on the role of Ritchie Valens, sharing the screen with Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, Elizabeth Peña, Danielle von Zerneck and Joe Pantoliano. The film also explores the impact of Valens' short-lived career on his girlfriend Donna Ludwig, his half-brother Bob Morales, and his family. Named after a traditional Mexican folk song, La Bamba features a cameo from Ritchie Valens' real mother - Connie Valenzuela. The Valenzuela family were reportedly heavily involved in all aspects of the biographical film's production. The stirring biopic is available to watch on Netflix until 31 May, reports the Daily Record. Raking in $52.7 million in the United States over a 12-week release period, La Bamba garnered generally favourable reviews from critics and audiences alike. One critic hailed Luis Valdez's creation as a "rousing foot-tapper", writing: "This rousing foot-tapper from the pioneering American film-maker Luis Valdez is the definitive Eighties music biopic. Another review described La Bamba as: "Sweet and serious, a fine little movie that accomplishes just what it sets out to do." One viewer was profoundly moved by the film, saying: "More than a week after seeing the film, I cannot shake La Bamba's people, its vitality, the freshness of its vision, and the profoundly honest way it views the milieu of its characters and the larger American canvas surrounding them." A different review praised the movie's tone, adding: "Sweet and serious, a fine little movie that accomplishes just what it sets out to do." The film was deemed the "greatest biopic ever made" by an enthusiast who said: "The greatest Bio Movie ever made! ! Lou Diamond Phillips and the cast give amazing performances." An in-depth user review applauds the film's merits, stating: "You know for a movie that's in the Library of Congress, nobody really talks about La Bamba all that much. How come? This was a really good biography about a singer who was tragically gone too soon with spot-on casting, classic music and a lot of heart." Further adding to the praise: "It's a decidedly unpretentious rags-to-riches biopic and even with the ending being a foregone conclusion for anyone who knows even the vaguest thing about Richie Valens, it doesn't stop it from being any less shocking and poignant. La Bamba is a criminally underrated movie and if you love biographies, then you should definitely check this one out." Amid various reactions, one person said, "I wont lie, I did cry," while another expressed sheer admiration, claiming: "It's the best performance I've ever seen. Great story, great actors." Another viewer chimed in with their take on the film, added: "Solid music biopic. Hits all the typical beats, but does so with a strong cast and performances that are endearing. Such a tragic tale, but an engaging one."
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix fans have just days to watch 'greatest biopic ever made'
Featuring a cameo by the musician's real mother, the 1987 film has been hailed by many as "the greatest biopic ever made" The short yet impactful life of American Chicano rock and roll musician Ritchie Valens has been beautifully encapsulated in the 1987 biopic La Bamba. Written and directed by Luis Valdez, La Bamba follows the life and short-lived musical career of Valens — famously known as a rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement. Starring Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens, the actor is joined on screen by Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, Elizabeth Peña, Danielle von Zerneck and Joe Pantoliano. La Bamba also delves into the impact and effect that Valens' brief career had on the lives of his girlfriend Donna Ludwig, his half-brother Bob Morales, and the rest of his family. Titled after a traditional Mexican folk song of the same name, La Bamba featured a cameo by Ritchie Valens' real mother — Connie Valenzuela. The Valenzuela family was also said to have been extremely involved in all aspects of the making of the biographical film. Viewers can catch the rousing biopic on Netflix till May 31. Grossing $52.7 million in the United States over a release period of 12 weeks, La Bamba received generally positive reviews from critics, as well as audiences. Calling Luis Valdez's offering a 'rousing foot-tapper', one critic wrote: 'This rousing foot-tapper from the pioneering American film-maker Luis Valdez is the definitive Eighties music biopic. Another review called La Bamba: 'Sweet and serious, a fine little movie that accomplishes just what it sets out to do.' One critic was left exceedingly impacted by the biopic and shared: 'More than a week after seeing the film, I cannot shake La Bamba's people, its vitality, the freshness of its vision, and the profoundly honest way it views the milieu of its characters and the larger American canvas surrounding them.' Another review for the film says: 'Sweet and serious, a fine little movie that accomplishes just what it sets out to do.' One viewer concluded it was the 'greatest biopic ever made' and wrote: 'The greatest Bio Movie ever made!! Lou Diamond Phillips and the cast give amazing performances.' A detailed audience review raving about the movie says: 'You know for a movie that's in the Library of Congress, nobody really talks about La Bamba all that much. How come? This was a really good biography about a singer who was tragically gone too soon with spot-on casting, classic music and a lot of heart. 'It's a decidedly unpretentious rags-to-riches biopic and even with the ending being a foregone conclusion for anyone who knows even the vaguest thing about Richie Valens, it doesn't stop it from being any less shocking and poignant. La Bamba is a criminally underrated movie and if you love biographies, then you should definitely check this one out.' While one viewer admitted, 'I wont lie, I did cry,' another said: 'It's the best performance I've ever seen. Great story, great actors.' Yet another viewer wrote: 'Solid music biopic. Hits all the typical beats, but does so with a strong cast and performances that are endearing. Such a tragic tale, but an engaging one.'
Miami Herald
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame needs to honor rock en español—starting with Soda Stereo
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame aims to recognize artists who've significantly contributed to the evolution, development, and perpetuation of rock 'n' roll. However, it never mentions this recognition is limited to a specific language or country, so anyone in the world meeting their induction criteria is supposed to be eligible. But the reality is quite different, for decades they've only looked into the same horizon, mostly inducting white male musicians from the US and UK. It wasn't until recent years when diversity and inclusion movements started putting social pressure everywhere, that they adopted a sort of 'selective inclusion' and began nominating more female and African-American acts. Unfortunately, the rest of the world has remained ignored. Three out of 1,039, that's the number of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame individual Hispanic inductees born in Latin America. The numbers remain low even if we add inductees of Ibero-American heritage born in the English-speaking world: one in England and eleven in the United States. As of the 2024 class, the 15 inductees with confirmed Hispanic roots represent just 1.4% of the total members. Furthermore, it's disappointing that exclusively Spanish-speaking acts have never been considered. This statistic not only reflects a low representation of a region with a longstanding and powerful tradition of local rock artists and impressive international concerts packed with passionate fans, but it also presents an opportunity for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to embrace a more inclusive and diverse future - one that highlights how rock 'n' roll brings people from different countries, cultures, and languages together. I've been running a fan campaign since 2020 to advocate for Argentina's Soda Stereo's induction into the RRHOF as their first Spanish-language band. Despite frequent comments our team effort sparks on social media, I don't believe the Hall is biased against Hispanic artists. It only seems their vision is limited to the local market and that they haven't been exposed to authentic rock en español to consider its inclusion. They still believe Ritchie Valens and Carlos Santana are the only Latin rock legends. Watching the docuseries 'Break It All' on Netflix, which covers the history of rock in Latin America, could start fixing that in less than six hours. Their Nominating Committee consists of 30 experts, none of whom are Hispanic, this puts our campaign on a collision path against history, and the entire Rock en Español possibilities in the hands of people who may not possess the best expertise on real Hispanic music. This limitation of a constant pool of professionals on the Committee, year in and year out, also raises big concerns about diversity and fairness, some fans feel that their favorite bands, even those anglophone, are being blocked by eternal gatekeepers. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame executives explain controversial multi-genre nominations by referencing Motown Records' old motto, 'The Sound of Young America.' They say they want to bring back the original spirit of the 1950s. However, focusing only on what young people in the United States listen to could limit real inclusion and diminish their global appeal. This is also unfair to followers abroad because rock 'n' roll was born in the US but belongs to the entire planet. When John Sykes took over the RRHOF foundation he promised more diversity to prevent the institution from becoming irrelevant. I started the Soda Stereo Rock Hall campaign hoping his pledge would finally recognize a Latin American band. According to a June 2024 press release, Hispanics now represent 19.5% of the US population, a considerable market, and with Spanish being the second-largest language by number of native speakers in the world, and by far the second-most spoken in the United States, it's time to do so. Experts agree that the first band should be Soda Stereo, followed by the other three of the 'sacred tetralogy' of Spanish-language rock: Heroes del Silencio (Spain), Los Prisioneros (Chile), and Caifanes (Mexico). But it can't stop there, foundational icons of the movement should also be considered: El Tri and Javier Batiz (Mexico), Charly Garcia and Luis Alberto Spinetta (Argentina), Miguel Rios (Spain), and Los Saicos (Peru). Moreover, full recognition won't be complete without honoring influential acts such as Cafe Tacuba, Mana, Maldita Vecindad, Molotov, Fobia, Botellita de Jerez, Ritmo Peligroso (Mexico); Enanitos Verdes, Miguel Mateos, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Fito Paez, Andres Calamaro, Los Redonditos de Ricota, Rata Blanca (Argentina); La Ley, Los Tres, Lucybell (Chile); La Union, Duncan Dhu, Radio Futura, Hombres G (Spain); Juanes, Aterciopelados (Colombia). And if Madonna and Depeche Mode are in, why not consider Shakira (Colombia), Mecano (Spain), and Aleks Syntek (Mexico)? Cirque du Soleil paid tribute to Soda's legacy in 2017 and 2018, an honor reserved only for The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Soda Stereo. Michel Laprise, director of the show, who spent months talking to fans worldwide to understand the band's legacy, expressed on a video recorded at their Montreal headquarters for our campaign, 'The quality of their rock music, the intensity of what they did is universal and ageless, still very actual. Then we realized they're not in the Rock Hall of Fame, it doesn't make sense, they should be there. Let's correct that and celebrate the timeless quality and relevance of that music.' Soda Stereo disbanded in 1997 at the peak of their career due to the exhaustion caused by their self-imposed discipline, which made them work long hours together seven days a week, with just a few vacation weeks on their own at the end of their extensive Latin American tours. They reunited for a record-breaking tour in 2007 which, according to drummer Charly Alberti, led to a global tour offer from a US promoter who saw them as the culmination of the Latin music crossover that started with Ritchie Valens and continued with Santana, Ricky Martin, and Shakira. They intended to resume recording new albums and touring. Sadly, Gustavo Cerati, the band's charismatic frontman, fell into a coma in May 2010 after a solo show in Venezuela and passed away on Sept. 4, 2014. His passing led to an outpouring of love and respect from fans and colleagues around the world. Cerati's massive funeral was compared to the funeral of iconic tango legend Carlos Gardel in 1935. Coldplay's Chris Martin is without a doubt Soda Stereo's most high-profile and vocal fan; Gorillaz's Seye Adelakan has been a loyal admirer since his teenage years, 'They transcend the Spanish language' he says; Shakira cites them as the inspiration to become an artist; Andy Summers wanted to do more music with Cerati after they recorded together; and Bono prayed onstage for his recovery. No band on the planet needs to be inducted into the RRHOF, but those who have been a positive influence should be honored with it. Soda Stereo has already secured its place in history and deserves this induction. Thanks to streaming services and Latin migration their music is now being discovered by audiences worldwide. Even non-Spanish speakers are captivated by what Gustavo Cerati, Charly Alberti, and Zeta Bosio created together. Despite their legacy and positive impact on rock's development in Latin America, the band has yet to be nominated. Our petition has gathered close to 40,000 signatures from 70 countries across all continents and the endorsement of historically significant Hispanic rock stars asking the Rock Hall to take a groundbreaking step. Our campaign's media impact has prompted discussions about clear discrimination against Latin America. Many believe that if Soda Stereo were from the US or Europe and sang in English, they would have been inducted long ago. The Rock Hall should not induct Soda Stereo only to satisfy a diversity quota. But it should also not discriminate against them because of their Latin American origin, their legacy being unknown to them, or especially because their songs are in a language they don't like or understand. Doing so would mean the diversity, equity, accessibility & inclusion policies stated on their website are just empty words. It's time for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to look beyond the borders of the United States and Europe and prove that it is the global institution that fans around the world want it to be. This is especially important at this time when multicultural bridges and better social understanding are most needed everywhere. Rock and Roll has always acted as an agent of change and global unity at crucial moments in history. Is the Rock Hall up to the challenge, or are they just interested in selling tickets and putting up high-ratings induction ceremonies? The 2025 nominees will be announced soon, and even if Soda Stereo may not be on that list, we know that eventually, when the RRHOF starts listening to the fans, instead of acting as a dark conclave, they will recognize the first band that united millions of rock fans in every Latin American country and within the Hispanic community in the US, and that proved that it was possible to do world-class Rock sang on Spanish. Please add your signature to our petition here. An earlier version of this column originally ran on and Billboardespañ on Sept. 5, 2024. Miguel Gálvez is a journalist and the creator and director of the Soda Stereo Rock Hall campaign.
