Final answer:
The 'virtual industry' around Ritchie Valens since the 1980s includes the biopic 'La Bamba', reissues of his music, tribute concerts, and merchandise, which have contributed to preserving his legacy and impact on rock and roll and Chicano culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the cultural and commercial phenomena that have emerged around Ritchie Valens since the 1980s. Ritchie Valens was a pioneering rock and roll musician whose career and life were tragically cut short when he died in a plane crash in 1959, along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. Despite his brief career, Valens' influence on the music industry and his representation of the Chicano community have been substantial.
Since the 1980s, his legacy has been honored in various ways, which can be described as creating a 'virtual industry.' This includes the production of a biopic titled 'La Bamba' released in 1987, which introduced Valens' life and music to a new generation. Similarly, his music has been reissued, tribute concerts have been performed, and merchandise has been produced. These efforts have not only kept his music alive but also significantly contributed to his enduring popularity and influence on rock and roll music and Chicano culture.