1. His music stands the test of time.
2. He wrote "Donna," which is probably the single sweetest tribute to a high school love.
3. You can't listen to "Come On, Let's Go" without wanting to dance.
4. He took a traditional song, "La Bamba," and made it all his own.
5. And he looked adorably uncomfortable posing in front of a glittery backdrop.
6. He made sacrifices in order to do what he loved.
7. Though his career was too brief, he continues to inspire artists decades after his death.
8. He was truly a musical genius.
9. He appeared in the rock 'n' roll classic Go, Johnny Go!
10. And he accomplished all this before even turning 18.
11. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
12. Dude had style.
THAT SUIT. THAT HAIR.
13. La Bamba, a biopic about his career, family life, and death, is definitely worth your time.
Lou Diamond Phillips, you the real MVP.