Scholars believe the word "Bamba" may originate from the Mbamba tribe of Angola and Congo, brought to Mexico through the slave trade.
In 1958, 17-year-old (born Richard Valenzuela) transformed this folk tune into a rock-and-roll sensation. La Bamba · The Sounds of México La Bamba
As a folk song, "La Bamba" was improvisational; performers would often invent their own verses on the spot. Some documented versions contain as many as 1,000 different verses . Ritchie Valens and the Rock Revolution Scholars believe the word "Bamba" may originate from
Before it was a radio hit, "La Bamba" was a staple of , a musical style from the coastal region of Veracruz. "La Bamba" was improvisational