To dance the Bamba, one needs a bit of grace. That is an English translation of one of the lyrics from “La Bamba.” It was a Mexican folk song Richard Steven Valenzuela learned from his cousin. By 1958 ...
This essay is adapted from Merrick Morton’s “La Bamba: A Visual History,” published by Hat & Beard Press. “Dance!! Dance!! Dance!! to the music of the Silhouettes Band!!” read the handbill. The ...