Did ritchie valens finish high school?

Ritchie Valens is best known for his hit song, "La Bamba," but many people don't know that he only had a ninth-grade education. Valens was born in 1941 in Pacoima, California to Mexican immigrants. His real name was Ricardo Valenzuela, but he took the stage name Ritchie Valens when he began performing. As a teenager, he dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music. Valens had a natural talent for music and was quickly able to find success. "La Bamba" was released in 1958 and quickly rose to the top of the charts. It became one of the first Spanish-language songs to achieve mainstream success in the United States. Valens' career was cut short, however, when he died in a plane crash at the age of 17. Despite his short career, Valens left a lasting legacy. He was one of the first Latino musicians to find success in the United States and helped to pave the way for future generations. He is also credited with popularizing the Chicano rock sound. Today, Valens is remembered as a pioneer in the world of Latino music.