The kid from Pacoima who changed American music forever turns 85 this year, and Grand Performances is honoring him the right way. Ritchie Forever is a multidisciplinary tribute to Ritchie Valens and his journey from teenage trailblazer to global icon of bicultural identity, connecting his 1950s legacy to the modern immigrant experience through live music, narration, and archival visuals.

The lineup paying homage is stacked in spades: Nick Waterhouse, Shannon Shaw of Shannon & the Clams, Joey Quiñones of Thee Sinseers, Bryan Ponce of The Altons, Denise Carlos and Hector Flores of Las Cafeteras, Angie Monroy of The McCharmlys, Irene Diaz, and Jose Varela of Cutty Flam. This is also the premiere performance of a show that will tour nationally through 2027, so you can say you saw it first in LA... for free!