Big Bopper Microbox

Texas Musicians Series

Big Bopper

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 05/18/08
Nearest Town: Beaumont, Tx
County: Jefferson
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, 50 yards RT)
Recommended Ink: black & brown
Status: reported missing (05/22/09)

Jiles Perry Richardson, called JP by friends but commonly known as The Big Bopper, was a disc jockey who parlayed a big voice and exuberant personality into a career as an early rock and roll star. He is best known for his song "Chantilly Lace", where he pretends to talk to his "baby" on the telephone. Though born in Sabine Pass, he grew up in Beaumont and eventually worked at a local radio station. Needing a gimmick, Richardson noticed all the college kids doing a dance called The Bop, so he decided to become known as "The Big Bopper". He soon began writing songs and with the success of "Chantilly Lace," Richardson took some time off from KTRM radio and joined Buddy Holly and The Crickets, Ritchie Valens and Dion & the Belmonts for a "Winter Dance Party" tour. Buddy Holly chartered a Beechcraft Bonanza to take him and his new Crickets band (Tommy Allsup and Waylon Jennings) to Fargo, North Dakota. Richardson came down with the flu and didn't feel comfortable on the bus, so Jennings gave his plane seat to Richardson. In the early morning of February 3, 1959, after a performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, the small four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanza took off from the Mason City airport during a blinding snow storm and crashed into Albert Juhl’s corn field, killing all aboard. Richardson was in the seat that Waylon Jennings was supposed to have occupied. The Big Bopper was buried in Beaumont's Forest Lawn Cemetery, where this microbox pays tribute.

Directions:

From I10 in Beaumont, go north on Hwy 287 and then right on East Lucas Dr. for about 3 miles to Forest Lawn Cemetery. Continue across Pine St. and take the next right. Go about .2 miles, going past the Veterans Memorial Garden and crossing 2 roads, then going past a sign on the left saying Pine Crest. Turn left on the road just after this and go past a sign on the right saying Garden Of Faith. Just after the road bends to the right, look for a TX Historical Marker on the left by his grave and park near here.

Clues:

Walk to the marker and read it, then turn left (north) and walk 45 steps to a cement bench near the tree line that says Palermo. Continue walking past the bench for 10 steps toward a large oak tree in the woods. While a few steps away from the tree, look left for several multi-trunk trees. The camo microbox is hanging about 4 feet high in the third tree from the edge of the woods. Please be discreet and replace as described.

Note: Hurricane Ike has damaged the area and landmarks such as the large oak tree might be gone. The microbox has been reported missing but might still be there.

NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing gloves) before reaching into dark crevasses and holes in the wild. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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Last updated on 05/25/2009

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