PACOIMA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A stretch of the 5 Freeway in the northeast San Fernando Valley will be renamed in honor of rock legend Ritchie Valens, thanks to a bill approved by the state Legislature.
The legislation, passed Thursday, renames the 5 Freeway between State Route 170 and the 118 Freeway "The Ritchie Valens Memorial Highway."
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"His music inspired and influenced a generation of Chicano artists in our community and throughout the world. It's only fitting to name this segment of the I-5 after a Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer who grew up right here in Pacoima," Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, D-Pacoima, said when he announced the legislation's passage.
Valens attended San Fernando High School and became a hit rock 'n' roll recording artist when he was discovered in 1958 at the American Legion Hall.
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He appeared on the TV show "American Bandstand" and recorded top hits like "Come On, Let's Go" and "Donna." His records sold more than 1 million copies.
Valens died at just 17 years old on Feb. 3, 1959, in a plane crash that also took the lives of Buddy Holly and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. He was the subject of the 1987 feature film "La Bamba."
"Ritchie became a rock 'n' roll icon at the age of 17," Valens' sister, Connie, said. "He's not only a rock 'n' roll pioneer but a role model for artists and youth all over the world."
City News Service contributed to this report.
AP
Rock singer Ritchie Valens is shown in this 1959 photo. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)