The Big Bopper

Jiles Perry Richardson, Jr. (October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959), called JP by his friends but commonly known as The Big Bopper, was an American disc jockey, singer, and songwriter whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star. He is best known for his recording of "Chantilly Lace".

Early years

Richardson was born in Sabine Pass, Texas, the oldest son of Jiles Perry Richardson, Sr. and his wife Elise (Stalsby) Richardson. His father was an oil field worker and driller. Richardson had two younger brothers, Cecil and James. The family soon moved to Beaumont, Texas. Richardson graduated from Beaumont High School in 1947 and was played on the "Royal Purple" football team as a defensive lineman, wearing number "85".

Richardson later studied pre-law at Lamar College, and was a member of the band and chorus. He sometimes played with the Johnny Lampson Combo. He also worked part time at radio station KTRM, where he was hired full-time in 1949 and quit college. Richardson married Adrianne Joy Fryou on April 18, 1952. In December 1953 their daughter, Debra Joy, was born. Earlier that year Richardson had been promoted to Supervisor of Announcers at KTRM. In March 1955 he was drafted into the United States Army and did his basic training at Fort Ord, California. He spent the rest of his two years service as a radar instructor at Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas. Following his discharge as a corporal in March 1957, Richardson returned to KTRM radio, where he held down the "Dishwashers' Serenade" shift from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

One of the station's sponsors wanted Richardson for a new time slot and suggested an idea for a show. Richardson had seen the college students doing a dance called The Bop, and he decided to call himself "The Big Bopper". His new radio show ran from 3 to 6 p.m. Richardson soon became the station's program director.

In May 1957, he broke the record for continuous on-the-air broadcasting by eight minutes. He performed for total of five days, two hours and eight minutes, playing 1,821 records and taking showers during five-minute newscasts. He lost 35 pounds (16 kilos) during his marathon. KTRM paid Richardson $746.50 for his overtime and he slept for the next 20 hours.

Richardson is credited with coining the term "music video" in 1959, and recorded an early example himself. However, his business venture in this area was cut short by his untimely death. [
* [http://www.buddythemusical.com/ Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (London Musical Website)]

Persondata
NAME=Richardson, Jiles Perry
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=The Big Bopper, Jape
SHORT DESCRIPTION=American singer
DATE OF BIRTH=October 24 1930
PLACE OF BIRTH=Sabine Pass, Texas
DATE OF DEATH=February 3 1959
PLACE OF DEATH=Clear Lake, Iowa