Beaumont in Jefferson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

J.P. Richardson, Jr: The Big Bopper

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 15, 2022

1. J.P. Richardson, Jr: The Big Bopper Marker

Inscription. Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson, Jr. was born on October 24, 1930 to Jiles and Elsie Bernice (Stalsby) Richardson in Sabine Pass (26 mi. SE); the family moved to Beaumont when he was six. As a teenager, Richardson began writing songs with country and western influences. Following graduation from Beaumont High School in 1947, he attended Lamar College, where he sang in the choir and played in the band. He also became a disc jockey for radio station KTRM. It was there he developed his "Big Bopper" character and his musical style shifted toward rockabilly, combining country and western with rock and roll. He served two years in the Army but returned to radio work in Beaumont, and as a DJ in 1957 Richardson raised money for charity by spinning records continuously for more than 122 hours. Around the same time, Mercury Records executive Shelby Singleton signed him to a contract, and the Big Bopper went on tour along the east coast. His recording Chantilly Lace was on the top of the charts for six weeks in 1958 and earned him a gold record after being listed among the Top 100 for 25 weeks.

At the age of 28, married with two

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children, rock and roll star J.P. Richardson joined a group of young musicians on another national tour. Tragically, on February 3, 1959, their plane crashed in Iowa, killing him and fellow artists Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. Richardson's body was returned here for burial. In addition to the 21 songs he recorded as the Big Bopper, he wrote many more, including Running Bear and White Lightnin', made popular by other singers. J.P. Richardson, Jr. is remembered for his musical talent as well as his larger-than-life persona as the Big Bopper.

Erected 2006 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13668.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1959.

Location. 30° 7.381′ N, 94° 6.002′ W. Marker is in Beaumont, Texas, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Pine Street. Marker is located within Forest Lawn Memorial Park cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaumont TX 77703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 15, 2022

2. J.P. Richardson, Jr: The Big Bopper Marker

Golden Triangle.

It is also in the American South,

on the Gulf Coast,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Collier's Ferry (approx. 0.7 miles away); Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church of Beaumont (approx. 1.1 miles away); Aubrey Wilson "Moon" Mullican (approx. 1.2 miles away); Magnolia Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Police Chief Reid Tevis (approx. 1½ miles away); William McFaddin (approx. 1½ miles away); Andrew F. Smyth (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaumont.

Also see . . . Richardson, Jiles Perry [Big Bopper] (1930–1959) - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on January 22, 2022, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

J.P. Richardson, Jr: The Big Bopper Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 15, 2022

3. J.P. Richardson, Jr: The Big Bopper Grave Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2022, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,745 times since then and 264 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 22, 2022, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.