Jiles Perry Richardson Jr., known as The Big Bopper, was an American musician, songwriter and disc jockey. His best-known compositions include "Chantilly Lace" and "White Lightning", the latter of which became George Jones' first number-one hit in 1959.

How did The Big Bopper get his nickname?

He named himself The Big Bopper after watching high school students dancing a dance called The Bop. ... Richardson was suffering from the flu and Waylon Jennings offered him his seat on the plane, which mysteriously crashed only minutes after take off killing everyone on board.

Was Louisiana The Big Bopper?

He was born in Sabine Pass, Texas, the oldest son of Jiles Perry, Sr. and Elise (Stalsby) Richardson. His father was an oil field worker and driller. ... Richardson noticed all the college kids doing a dance called The Bop, so he decided to become known as 'The Big Bopper'.

Who played The Big Bopper?

In the early '50s, especially down South, some people referred to rock 'n' roll as "be bop" or just "bop." Richardson was physically large (he wore baggy suits with shoulder pads to make himself look even larger). He played "bop." He created an on-air character called the Big Bopper, who talked jive in a deep voice.

Did they find Ritchie Valens body after the plane crash?

The impact killed the pilot, a 21-year-old named Roger Petersen, and all three passengers: Buddy Holly, 22, Ritchie Valens, 17, and Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., also known as the Big Bopper, 29. They were found the next day scattered among the wreckage, half-buried in the snow.

The Autopsy of the Big Bopper

20 related questions found

How much did the Big Bopper weigh?

“Big Bopper weighed about 300 pounds, and he had trouble sitting on those bus seats, and he couldn't get any rest,” Jennings remembered.

What happened to the big boppers son?

Jay P. Richardson, son of rock 'n' roll icon The Big Bopper and frequent performer at the Surf Ballroom, died Wednesday morning in Katy, Texas, according to the Surf Ballroom staff. He was 54. ... His father, The Big Bopper, was killed in a plane crash on Feb.

What happened to the big boppers casket?

The Big Bopper's 16-gauge steel casket was exhumed last year from his original grave at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Beaumont so it could be moved to a more visible location with a life-sized statue and historic marker.

Who did not get on the plane the day the music died?

Waylon Jennings wasn't the only scheduled passenger on that ill-fated flight who escaped death. Another band member, Tommy Allsup, and the 17 year old Richie Valens tossed a coin to see who would get to fly that night.

Who died in the plane crash with Ritchie Valens?

Holly died alongside his fellow up-and-coming rock n roll stars Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson on February 3, 1959. The three young musicians were killed along with their 21-yea-old pilot in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, on their way to Moorhead, Minnesota.

When was Buddy Holly killed?

Holly, along with Ritchie Valens and the “Big Bopper,” died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. Holly was just 22.

What happened to Buddy Holly and the Crickets?

In the meantime, Mauldin, Allison, and Sonny Curtis (a friend and collaborator of Holly's) began recording new songs as the Crickets, with vocals by Earl Sinks. While they were recording, it was announced that Holly had died in a plane crash while on tour.

What really happened the day the music died?

On February 3, 1959, American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson.

What was Ritchie Valens real name?

Born Richard Steven Valenzuela on May 13, 1941, in Pacoima, California, Valens made history as rock music's first Latino star.

What were Ritchie Valens injuries from the plane crash?

The left upper medial thigh had a transverse laceration 8 inches long, while the left mid-tibial region showed a small laceration at the site of a compound fracture; The consistency of the chest was soft due to extensive crushing of the bony structure. Internal injuries were not appraised because autopsy was not done.

Who died on this day in music?

Singer Don McLean memorialized Holly, Valens and Richardson in the 1972 No. 1 hit “American Pie,” which refers to February 3, 1959 as “the day the music died.”