Big Bopper, 1930-1959
Variant namesThe Big Bopper (born Jiles Perry "J. P." Richardson, Jr., October 24, 1930, Sabine Pass, TX–d. February 3, 1959, Clear Lake, IA) was an American musician, songwriter, and disc jockey whose big rockabilly look, style, voice, and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star. He is best known for his 1958 recording of "Chantilly Lace".
On February 3, 1959, Richardson died in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa, along with music stars Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens and pilot Roger Peterson. The accident was famously referred to as "The Day the Music Died" in Don McLean's 1971 song "American Pie".
Archival Resources
| Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
|---|---|---|---|
| referencedIn | Records of the Civil Aeronautics Board. 1931 - 1984. Minutes of Meetings. 1940 - 1984. Aircraft Accident Report | National Archives at College Park |
Bibliographic and Digital Archival Resources
| Role | Title | Holding Repository |
|---|
Filters:
| Relation | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| associatedWith | Holly, Buddy, 1936-1959 | person |
| associatedWith | Valens, Ritchie, 1941-1959 | person |
| Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake | IA | US | |
| Sabine Pass | TX | US |
| Subject |
|---|
| Rock music |
| Occupation |
|---|
| Musicians |
| Activity |
|---|
Person
Birth 1930-10-24
Death 1959-02-03
Male
Americans
English
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