DRIVE TO HONOR VALENS GETS BOOST FROM BERMAN.Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer The campaign by his family and supporters to get Ritchie Valens Ritchie Valens (born Ricardo Steven Valenzuela, May 13 1941 – February 3 1959) was a pioneer of rock and roll and a forefather to the Latin Rock movement. Career inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, dedicated to recording the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, and other people who have in some major way influenced the music industry, particularly in got a boost Tuesday from a local congressman and the head of the Recording Industry Association of America. At the urging of U.S. Rep. Howard Berman Howard Lawrence "Howie" Berman (born April 15 1941) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1983, representing the 28th District of California (map). , D-Mission Hills, Hilary B. Rosen, president and chief executive officer of the Washington, D.C.-based association, said she will make it a priority to recommend the rock 'n' roll rock 'n' roll: see rock music. legend from Pacoima as a nominee next year to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. ``Ritchie Valens deserves to be nominated and I'm going to work with the congressman on that,'' said Rosen, a board member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Valens' aunt, Ernestine Reyes of Pacoima, who has been working since 1995 to get Valens inducted into the Hall of Fame, said she was hopeful that Rosen's support would bring Valens the recognition he deserves. Even today, Reyes continues to receive about 20 pieces of fan mail a week. ``I can't express how much he deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,'' said Reyes. ``He did so much in the short time that he lived and I pray I beg; I request; I entreat you; - used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go s>. See also: Pray to God that he'll get up there soon.'' Valens' record company and family have gathered thousands of signatures. Reyes will be gathering petition signatures during the fifth annual Ritchie Valens festival, called ``The Legend Lives On,'' on May 7-8 at Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima. The postcard petitions are part the campaign launched several years ago by Valens' former Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. record company, Del-Fi Records Del-Fi Records was a record label owned by Bob Keane. The labels first single released was "Caravan" by Henri Rose released in 1958; however, the label was most famous for signing Ritchie Valens. Valens first single for the label was "Come On Let's Go" which was a big hit. Inc., to get him nominated. ``I will do everything in my power to raise this issue with my fellow board members and to encourage Mr. Valens' induction,'' wrote Rosen in a response to Berman's inquiry. Berman, who last spring began actively campaigning on Valens' behalf by lobbying the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee, sent letters to Rosen and her fellow board members last February, seeking their support. ``Many of Valens' friends and contemporaries, including Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis Noun 1. Jerry Lee Lewis - United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935) Lewis , have already been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Yet he is overlooked year after year. . .,'' wrote Berman, whose congressional district includes Pacoima, where Valens grew up. CAPTION(S): photo PHOTO Ritchie Valens Lived in Pacoima |
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