his sister was on set for filming this scene. she completely lost it. she ran out to "Ritchie" and begged him not to get on the plane. she forgot they were shooting a movie and for a moment believed it was February 1959. poor woman.

“The sky belongs to the stars, right?” God speed, Buddy :,(

I read that Ritchie Valens sister, who was 12 years old in 1959, was on the set when they filmed this coin toss scene, and she lost her shit. She was crying uncontrollably.

Every time I see this movie I'm like "please just say tails!!!!!"

"The sky belongs to the stars"

"Ah, Richie don't even worry about it dude. The skys was made for the stars". Was what Holly actually said.

How I wish that the alternate ending was actually true. Rest In Peace Ritchie. We were robbed of your talent .

The first and last coin toss he will ever win it was sad how the real Ritchie died

Every time I need to shed a few tears I play the death scene. Richie's mom in the back yard hanging the sheets when she heard the news reacted so realistically, and Bob arriving just in time to comfort her with that haunting background music. While she screamed into Bob's chest "not Richie, not my Richie" I always felt she was thinking why couldn't it have been you Bob instead of Richie. And Bob, screaming "Richie" into the heavens for the final scene was just perfect.

Wow that was a little creepy when he said he had ever won a coin toss but yet he won this one, which was the flight to his end. Makes you think it was meant to be.

It's been almost 63 years since those three men (Jiles Perry "Big Bopper" Richardson, Charles "Buddy" Holly, and Richard "Ritchie Valens" Valenzuela) left us at their young ages (28, 22, and 17 respectively), but their music lives on.

I know it's a nice idea for an alternate ending but what happened to richie and the other 2 guys is actual history and is best respected

You will never catch me getting on a single engine plane in the middle of the night while it's snowing. I know the bus was cold, but shit. But still, R.I.P.

One of the most powerful scenes in La Bomba is when Bob yells "Ritchieeee" at the very end. I get goosebumps and teary eyes every time no matter how many times I've seen it

if anything this ending hurts more because it never happened

Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, AND Ritchie Valens would have been old today. RIP.

I have seen this movie many times and when his mom screams "Not my Richie " and she collapsed into Bob's arms I cry every time . I still can't believe it all really happened. I wish Richie could have been discovered sooner. All 3 are probably still performing up there in Heaven

This film is really great. Notice after the coin toss Buddy says, "Come on let's go" which is one of Richie's biggest songs! Jiles, Buddy, and Richie died that night but the music they left us will NEVER die!

It's kind of like heaven in a way

The musician who actual was involved in the coin toss was the late great Waylon Jennings. He never forgot how a mere coin flip changed his life and he lived for the moment the rest of his life becoming one of country's most legendary artists.

What a sad day in Rock 'n' Roll history.

If this had happened in real life, he would have spread his music further. It’s a tragic that a star like him went so soon.

what you trying to do? Rewrite history?

At least richey valen is in heaven as people will see him again rest in peace

the fact that he said that's the first coin toss i ever won ughh breaks my heart it's like just say tails

So funny that no one seems to realize it’s just one scene cut in and added to the end. Him walking in at the surprise party was earlier in the movie 😂

This is one of the sweetest things I've ever seen on KZfaq. This made me smile... very much unlike the real ending.

I think this is what ritchie saw when he entered heaven

I wish the reality had an alternate ending...

flying in a plane that size in a snow storm...what a stupid idea! i would rather be cold, miserable, and alive than risking my life just to get warm. May they rest in peace.

Ritchie Valens was about to create a whole new genre of music. Setting Hispanic folk music to popular rock and it would have definitely changed the music industry. Cut down too soon. I'm the age he was when he passed.

Tommy was actually Waylon Jennings. Waylon was buddy hollys bass player.and just before the took off buddy said ‘i hope your bus freezes ‘ joking and waylon said ‘i hope your ol plane crashes‘. Waylon never forgot that

I remember watching La Bamba as a kid and it effed me up! 💔

Ritchie lives! I like it! Can you imagine Ritchie, Buddy and Bopper at Woodstock?😁❤️

Damn Richie won that coin toss shit..if lost he would of froze his ass off in that bus and he would probably be alive today.

considering the end part is christmas and the plane took off the night of febuary 2nd , ritchie probably couldnt make it home for the holidays and used that scence to show what his return from the winter dance party of 1959 might have been like.

If I had a Time Machine, I’d go back to save them from dying

Sadly enough this wouldnt be the last plane crash that took the lives of musicians

if only............

RIIIIIITTTTTCCCCHHHHHEEEEEAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

How fuckin dare you

1:10 Bruhhhh don’t even mess with this film, this scene was the Christmas party.

This is when three stars fell from the sky

The sad part is that Richie didn’t have kids to pass on his music 😭 we love u Richie valens RIP WE ALL MISS AND LOVE U

I can't think of any alternate ending that doesn't end in heartbreak. If it hadn't been Ritchie, it would've been Tommy Allsup; if it hadn't been Buddy, it would've been Waylon Jennings. And sadly, the Big Bopper wouldve still perished. No matter how you slice it, there are no winners.

I was watching a show about this and was so sad to learn 9 minutes after they took off that crash rest in peace you three amazing artist

Rest in peace buddy Holly and Richie valdes and the big bopper ❤❤❤❤❤

Even still, this ending got me crying.

The actual coin toss was between only Tommy and Ritchie, inside the building

I have held a speculation about the plane crash for many years. Supposing I was to go back in time and while the plane was still in the hangar, put industrial grade diamond dust down the oil intake of the aircraft. And then here's how the dialog in the movie goes: ACT I [The trio arrive, and the pilot assessing the damage under the cowl steps down and throws his spanner on the ground.] Pilot: "I'm sorry, but I can't take you guys anywhere. The engine on my plane's completely shot!" The Big Bopper: "Yoooouuuu'rrre Jooooooooking, baby!" Pilot: "I wish I was, in fact, I'd give my right eye to be joking. Some asswipe sabotaged my plane earlier today. The engine is completely shot!" Buddy Holly: "OH GREAT! SURE THAT'S GREAT, AIN'T IT?! AS IF WE DIDN'T HAVE TO BE FREEZIN' OUR ASSES OFF TRAVELLIN' IN THAT GODDAMN BUS THAT KEEPS BREAKING DOWN.?! OH, MY GOD! I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT, I JUST CAN'T!!" Pilot: "HEY! You guys think you're pissed off, YEAH?! WHAT ABOUT ME, HUH, WHAT ABOUT ME?! I'M FURIOUS!! MY PLANE'S UP FOR A NEW ENGINE AND AT SIX GRAND, AND THAT'S FOR A SECOND HAND ONE. A NEW ONE IS 13 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO MATTER WHICH WAY I LOOK AT IT, I MIGHT AS WELL BUY A BRAND NEW AIRPLANE!! The Big Bopper: "Nowww, wheeere in Saaaaam Hill does that leave us now, Baby?!" Pilot: "You just come into the office first thing and we'll arrange a refund." Buddy Holly: "Yeah, right! Look, we're in some kinda hurry there boy!" Pilot: "That a fact?! Well, I'm afraid you're some kinda outta luck there!!" Buddy Holly: "GODDAMMIT!!" Pilot: "NOW YOU LOOK HERE GUYS! As if having to shell out for a new airplane is bad enough, I gotta fill out a whole heap of paperwork for the FAA that makes Everest look like a molehill!! And if I EVER LAY MY HANDS ON THE SON OF A BITCH THAT PUT DIAMOND DUST DOWN MY OIL INTAKE, SO HELP ME, I'LL REND HIS ASS FROM LIMB TO LIMB! I SWEAR, I WILL!!" Buddy Holly: "And if you do, by all means let me know! I'd be more than glad to be of assistance to you. I'll help rend his ass from limb to limb AND I'LL WRING HIS NECK AT THE SAME TIME, NOW! YA HEAR?!" [Ritchie Valens is struggling to keep a straight face throughout the whole argument. In fact, he's just dying to shake the saboteur's hand. As far as he's concerned, the sabotage the best news he's heard all day!] ACT II [Ritchie's brother, Bob Morales is doing work under the car when the news bulletin comes on] Radio announcer: "We interrupt this program to bring you this bulletin. A light aircraft was sabotaged at an airfield in Clear Lake, Iowa yesterday by an unknown person. The aircraft was to carry four people. Three of them being entertainers Buddy Holly, 22, of Lubbock Texas, Ritchie Valens, 17, of Los Angeles, California and JP Richardson, 29, of Louisiana; professionally known as The Big Bopper. "A preliminary inquiry into the sabotage is now under way and meteorologists for the Federal Aviation Authority told the court that 'Considering the aircraft having faulty equipment, the adverse weather conditions at the time of the scheduled flight coupled with the pilot's lack of experience in flying in such weather conditions; had the aircraft been operational, a fatal crash would be a foregone conclusion. "The entertainers finally reached their destination, Fargo, North Dakota and apologized to fans for the delay. A spokesman for the FAA described the saboteur as being a guardian angel. Apparently the saboteur had knowledge of the scheduled flight and of the weather conditions when he entered the airfield at around 6pm. Effectively, he had saved the lives of all three entertainers and the pilot. "Nonetheless, sabotaging an aircraft is a felony and the FBI has launched its own investigation and launched a nationwide manhunt. So far, neither the FBI nor detectives from the Iowa State Police, nor those of local Sheriff's department have found any clues as to the identity or the whereabouts of the saboteur nor the exact time he entered the airfield. "So far, there have been no witnesses who have seen anyone on the airfield acting suspiciously. If you have any information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the sabotage, please contact the FAA, the FBI, or your local police or sheriff's department. "Back to the program." [Bob Morales is relieved and realizes that his brother's fear of flying is well founded.] [Ritchie Valens decides from now on he either goes by car, bus or train or he doesn't go anywhere. And if he's going overseas, he's going by ocean liner or he's not going overseas.] Speculation on the saboteur's identity becomes a staple story for supermarket tabloids, appears on various documentary shows from "Unsolved Mysteries" and "That's Incredible" to "Ripley's Believe it or Not!" EPILOG [Don McLean refers to the saboteur as "The Man who Saved the Music". The first verse and chorus of the hit song American Pie goes like this: Long, long time ago. I can still remember when that music first made me smile. And if I had my chance, I could get up on the stage and dance. And then maybe I'd be happy for a while. But February made me shiver. With every paper I delivered. Bad news just averted. I was preaching to the converted. I can't believe it made an eagle so sick, That he'd take to a diamond trader with a stick. I would love to shake the hand of the man who saved the music. So bye bye, Miss American pie. Drove my Chevy to the Levee for the Levee ain't dry Them good old boys were drinkin' French champagne singin' This'll be a day to celebrate, this'll be a day to celebrate.

If you had nightmares about dying on a plane, that is LITERALLY THE WORST TIME to get on an airplane.

The party they had when came in heaven... The saddest part is the same thing, the exactly same thing, happened with the brazilian rock band Mamonas Assassinas in 1996. The 5 guys were very young like Valens, Holly and Richardson, the 5 guys were humble people, the 5 guys were in the beggining of the success, and the vocalist used to quote a lot Valens and this movie, like a premonition of the plane crash. When I was a kid this was one of my favorite movies, a kid don't understand death. After the Mamonas crash I never could saw this movie but twice (in 26 years). And cryed like a baby. I hope all them, the 1959 people and the 1996 people is well in Heavens... and in a enlightned place surrounded by all the love.

The last coin toss he ever won😭

The night that they should never flew

i don't cry easy but when his mom found out and lost it.... so did it,,, no how many times watch it still gets me

A pilot said it was like getting in your car driving a175 miles a hour in a snow storm was what it was like

It would have been nice had this actually happened. My eyes tear up every time I watch LaBamba when his brother and mom find out about the death of Ritchie. Too sad.

It still destroys me to this day to know that if hadn’t of been Ritchie it would have been Waylon Jennings

Yeah, reality can be so harsh and the movie catches that perfectly. But I have to say: Aw man you made me feel all warm and fuzzy :-)

I wish I live that world where the music never died.

i think this should have been the ending to the movie with the plane scene then fading out and end to the movie thats it. and take that funeral scene out. they should have played the song sleepwalk with the ending credits because the song has a good fading end to it thatll end the credit scene

I needed this ending.

Funny to make one edit and it completely changes. I wish it had ended this way. He contributed so much to Rock, picture how much more he could have done in life. It's so sad that he had to pass away so young.

We used to stop the movie after the Winter jam. The ending was too hard for us kids to take over and over again. We loved the story and the concert was the icing on the cake. For it to go from that to such a tragedy was unheard of for kids to watch on screen.

Why does it seem like all the truly great musical artists either have something bad happen to them, or something evil and cowardly done to them? I wish Ritchie and Selena could have worked together - would have been an amazing collaboration! I bet they're drawing some major crowds in Heaven!

I really wish it were like this in real life. With no plane crash even happening.

This man said that that was the 1st coin toss he won. And surprisingly that one winning the toss cost him his life. Rest in peace Richtie Valens say hi to Selena for me😥

R.I.P. Ritchie I really wish you could've made it home I love you like a little Brother even though I never personally met you but all the awesome stories of you were phenomenal And to Bob too I love him like an older Brother... Hope no offense will be taken from what I wrote

It's a good movie. A touching movie. But for many years, I thought the way this movie showed everything was exactly how it happened. Until I started researching it and found out how inaccurate the movie is. Even the colors of the plane are wrong. The coin toss is wrong. It didn't happen at the plane. It happened at the Surf Ballroom and it was Ritchie who kept asking Tommy Allsup if he could fly. Tommy told him no a few times until Tommy pulled out a coin and told Ritchie to call it and Ritchie called heads and so the rest is history. I wish they would have gotten this movie more accurate to how it was. The real story is just as interesting than what the movie shows.

Merry Christmas Hightone! LMAO

Since Ritchy Valens died February 3rd..he didn't get to spend valentines day with Donna..R.I.P. Richard Valenzuela..gone but never forgotten..we miss you Ritchie :(

That was sweet, thank you.

How I wish God would have made it this way!

There is no alternative ending, this a true story

Imagine a what-if story of Ritchie Valens was alive this is amazing

You're right, sometimes the real ending is just too sad, we have to imagine how it should've ended.

I know this ending told a different story then what really happened (Ritchie wanting to get on the plane in real life) but let me talk about this movie ending real quick. 0:41 Seeing him look like that and sniffling literally broke my heart😢 The poor thing was already sick, he was cold, and he looked so worried and scared...That part just did it for me😥😢

This made me smile :)

Perfect Edit

Just remember to trust your gut. If you are afraid that something will happen don't do it. Cause it just might happen.

TAILS!

The sky belongs to the stars right

It's so fucked up when his brother screams outside RITCHIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

This happened in a parallel universe

Even though it was a small part, I think Marshall Crenshaw nailed the role of Buddy Holly.

Plane flight was in feb and its xmas? o.o

My dad grew up in Greene, IA, not too far from Clear Lake. He was 5 years old when the crash happened.

To be on tour in February and not come home until nearly the following Christmas. That's a long tour for that time period.

There can't be an alternate ending to an actual...factual moment in history lol...in a perfect world they'd all still be here but then again we wouldn't have trump vs Hilary for US president either

good thing ritchie survives.

You know. Those words Buddy said to him in this clip; scared of flying, only 17, is comforting. Short careers and all happened in February 1959 but will still know. They changed the world for music.

I would have loved that ending. God bless them all

what the hell

By today’s standard Donna would sound more like ; yooo Donna yoooo Donna where can that ho beeeeeeee

I wrote an alternate ending also. In it, Ritchie got off the plane as it was even moving. "He yelled "STOP THE PLANE!" and he met up with Bob in Chicago and they talked everything out. It had dialogue and everything.

If I could go back in time i’d go there and stop them from going on the plane

Do one on Trump losing the presidential election!

I cried like a little girl

The fella playing JP Richardson looks quite a bit like him. . . Great casting. This was one of my sisters and I favorite movies as kids…

Buddy Holly or the actor who played his part was amazingly cool in these scenes . Only on for one fragment of the movie but I've never forgotten it,,,. even though movie was about Richie.