Jiles Perry Richardson was born on 24^th October 1932, in Sabine Pass, Texas. When his family moved to Beaumont, JP began working as a DJ with a local radio station while still at college. He quickly became the number one DJ, assuming the name The Big Bopper for his shows. In 1957, he set the world’s record for continuous broadcasting by playing 1,821 records during six days and nights. After becoming Program Director for KTRM in Beaumont, he began to try his hand at song writing.

He wrote Running Bear for his good friend, Johnny Preston. The record reached number one. Mercury-Starday Records liked what they heard, and signed him as a writer and singer. Mercury released the song Chantilly Lace by The Big Bopper in August of 1958, and the record became a national best seller. JP continued to write and record during the whirlwind days of his newfound stardom. He recorded the self-penned Little Red Riding Hood and Big Bopper’s Wedding and they were both hits for the DJ turned recording star.

His touring increased and it looked as if there was no stopping him. He took leave of absence from the radio station to appear on the Winter Dance Party bus tour of the Mid-west. Buddy Holly, who was also on the tour, had chartered a plane to take his band to the next gig. JP approached one of the band members, Waylon Jennings, explaining that he’d caught a cold and that a lengthy bus ride would worsen his condition.

On 2^nd February 1959, JP boarded the plan and was subsequently killed in a crash that took the lives of three of rock 'n' roll's superstars. At the time, The Big Bopper’s song Chantilly Lace had been on the charts for six months.