The song was not written by either Ritchie Valens or Trini Lopez, La Bamba is a traditional Mexican folk song written long ago by an unknown author & was a dance from the Mexican colonial period. However give credit to Valens whose musical arrangement & recording of the song in 1958 made La Bamba into a Rock & Roll hit. Lopez recorded his version of the song in 1966.
In a time when rock was missing any Latin influence or Spanish, Trini could sing and play. There would not be Santana or War if he didn't play. He was on Johnny Carson. You can sing this at any party. Lo Siento mi Espanol es malo. Respecto tu Trini Lopez. Yo no soy marinero Soy Capitan soy capitan!