The Big Bopper, whose real name was Jiles Perry Richardson Jr., was an American singer, songwriter, and disc jockey from Texas. He is best known for his hit songs "Chantilly Lace" and "White Lightning." Richardson was born in 1930 in Sabine Pass, Texas, and grew up in Beaumont, Texas. He attended Beaumont High School and Lamar College, where he studied pre-law.
After college, Richardson worked as a disc jockey at KTRM radio station in Beaumont, Texas. He eventually became the station's program director and hosted his own music show, which ran for three hours in the afternoons. Richardson's show was popular, and he became known as "The Big Bopper" due to his energetic and charismatic on-air personality.
In addition to his work as a disc jockey, Richardson was also a songwriter. He wrote songs for other artists, including George Jones and Johnny Preston. His own music career took off in the late 1950s, when he released the hit singles "Beggar to a King" and "Chantilly Lace." "Chantilly Lace" became a huge hit, reaching the top 10 on the pop charts and establishing Richardson as a major star.
In 1959, Richardson joined the Winter Dance Party tour, which also featured Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Dion and the Belmonts. The tour was plagued by poor planning and harsh weather conditions, and Richardson, Holly, and Valens eventually chartered a plane to fly from Clear Lake, Iowa to Moorhead, Minnesota. Tragically, the plane crashed, killing all three musicians.
Richardson was just 28 years old when he died. He was buried in Beaumont, Texas, and his legacy lives on through his music and the impact he had on the music industry.
