- Born
- 24 October 1930, Port Arthur, Texas, United States
- First work
- 1957: Crazy Blues
- Peak
- 1957 to 1959 (estimated)
- Last work
- 1958: Big Bopper's Wedding
- Died
- 3 February 1959, Clear Lake, United States; aged 28; accident
The Big Bopper
Music: singer, songwriter, United States
Jiles Perry Richardson Jr., universally known as The Big Bopper, was an American rockabilly singer, songwriter, and influential radio personality. After building a following as a disc jockey in Beaumont, Texas, he achieved international chart success in 1958 with the spirited novelty hit Chantilly Lace. Richardson was also an accomplished composer, writing George Jones's classic country standard White Lightnin' and Johnny Preston's Running Bear. His burgeoning performing career ended abruptly in February 1959 when he died in a charter plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, while on the Winter Dance Party tour.
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Signature works
- Chantilly Lace 1958
- White Lightnin' 1958
- Big Bopper's Wedding 1958