The Inspiration Behind These Famous Songs Show That A Great Idea Can Come From Anywhere

Donna

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Ritchie Valens got the crowd on its feet with his Mexican folk song “La Bamba”. However, his highest-rating charting hit was the sweet ode of “Donna”. The song was dedicated to Valens high school sweetheart, Donna Ludwig. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959.

Valens and Ludwig stayed in contact while he was on the road performing the hit until February 3, 1959. Valens, along with Buddy Holly, was tragically killed in a plane crash. Even after his unfortunate death, Ludwig remained a close friend of Ritchie’s family.