Jiles Perry Richardson was born on October 24th, 1930 in Sabine Pass, Texas. The Richardson family moved to Port Arthur, Texas when J.P. was very young. J.P. attended Lamar State College in Beaumont, Texas following High School. While attending Lamar State College J.P. found a job as a singer and disc jockey at a local radio station KTRM. While working at KTRM J.P. made up his stage name "The Big Bopper".
On April 18, 1952 The Big Bopper married Adrianne Joy Fryou, of South Louisiana.
During May of 1957 The Big Bopper established a world record by working for six days straight and spinning 1,821 records. His world record was for continuous broadcasting. Also during 1957 The Big Bopper was discovered by Harold "Pappy" Daily and released his most popular song "Chantilly Lace", which became the most played song of 1958. The Big Bopper was offered tours and decided to join them. One of those tours was the "Winter Dance Party Tour"
Click on the hyperlink to read the out come of the "Winter Dance Party Tour"
