h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just a little nit that I can't help but pick: Although "La Bamba" was redone by Los Lobos in the 1980's, the original was done by Richie Valens in the 1950's. Valens never had another hit, mainly because he died on a plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.

~fb

How very extremely weird: that this entry was ever written (while I was insane and living in Kenya), that it's still here, that anyone is reading it, that I put that footnote there at all... and that I managed to mess up the attribution, I generally am much better about such things. Superfluity on superfluity! Doesn't this site contain the oddest out-of-the-way corners, though?

Of course Los Lobos didn't do it first. It was already an oldie hit, by the great Richie Valens, whom the movie was about, for which Los Lobos performed the song, I think. Duh. I wouldn't let a stranger on the bus get away with such an assertion today.....



Ah, but then a moments research reveals that the song's at least a century old, maybe more like 3. There are at least a hundred verses floating around, as it's traditional to improvise new ones. The lyrics in question seem to be some of the more stable ones.

The footnote's history. Thanks.


GTB

Very interesting! I had no idea about the song's original history; I just had always heard the pop version by Señor Valens when I was younger. So it could be generally compared in age and tradition to "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am"? Quite nifty. And you're very right in the statement about little nooks and crannies... it's quite an interesting site. I plan on posting a few recipes, once I get off my lazy bum.