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Cooley Hurd

(26,877 posts)
Wed Aug 21, 2013, 06:51 PM Aug 2013

The Little Bopper has passed: Jay Richardson (son of JP Richardson) dead at 54...

http://globegazette.com/news/local/jay-richardson-son-of-the-big-bopper-dies/article_27c84916-0a80-11e3-9633-0019bb2963f4.html?comment_form=true

Jay P. Richardson, son of rock ‘n’ roll icon The Big Bopper and frequent performer at the Surf Ballroom, died Wednesday morning in Katy, Texas, according to the Surf Ballroom staff. He was 54.

Richardson was known as Big Bopper Jr. His father, The Big Bopper, was killed in a plane crash on Feb. 3, 1959 in Clear Lake, along with fellow rock ‘n’ roll performers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, as well as pilot Roger Peterson.

The men’s last performances were the night before at the Surf Ballroom.

According to the Surf Ballroom, Richardson was born on April 28, 1959, in Houma, La. His birth came less than 90 days after the plane crash.

Richardson has made numerous appearances at the Surf Ballroom over the years including his last one in 2012.

“He was definitely part of our family,” said Laurie Lietz, the Surf’s executive director. “We’ve had him here a number of times and considered him family.”
</snip>


His story took an odd turn in 2007:

http://tinyurl.com/klenh9w

Richardson was survived by his wife and 4-year-old daughter. His son, Jay Perry, was born two months later in April 1959. At the time of his death, Richardson had been building a recording studio in his home in Beaumont, Texas, and was also planning to invest in the of a radio station. He had written 20 new songs he planned to record himself or with other artists.

Jay Perry Richardson took up a musical career and is known professionally as "The Big Bopper, Jr.," and has performed around the world. He has toured on the "Winter Dance Party" tour with Buddy Holly impersonator John Mueller on some of the stages where his father performed.

In January 2007, Jay requested that his father's body be exhumed and an autopsy be performed to settle the rumors that a gun was fired or that Richardson initially survived the crash. The autopsy was performed by Dr. Bill Bass, a forensic anthropologist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Jay was present with Dr Bass throughout the autopsy and observed as the casket was opened; both men were surprised to find the remains well enough preserved to be recognizable as those of the late rock star. "Dad still amazes me 48 years after his death, that he was in remarkable shape," Richardson told the Associated Press. "I surprised myself. I handled it better than I thought I would". Dr Bass's findings indicated there were no signs of foul play. He was quoted as saying, "There are fractures from head to toe. Massive fractures ...[Richardson] died immediately. He didn't crawl away. He didn't walk away from the plane".

After the autopsy, Richardson's body was placed in a new casket made by the same company as the original, then was reburied next to his wife in Beaumont's Forest Lawn Cemetery. Jay then allowed the old casket to be put on display at the Texas Musicians Museum. In December 2008, Jay Richardson announced that he would be placing the old casket up for auction on eBay, giving a share of the proceeds to the Texas Musicians Museum, but downplayed the suggestion in later interviews.

Jay Richardson died on August 21, 2013 at the age of 54.


I got the sense that he had his father exhumed for the simple reason that he wanted to see him in person.

Regardless, cross gently, Jay...
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The Little Bopper has passed: Jay Richardson (son of JP Richardson) dead at 54... (Original Post) Cooley Hurd Aug 2013 OP
I love your sence of history , and our culture . Great post !!! orpupilofnature57 Aug 2013 #1
Hey man! Cooley Hurd Aug 2013 #2
Post removed Post removed Apr 2014 #4
Dumb CT... Cooley Hurd Apr 2014 #5
JP(Senior) was my mother's first husband Link Speed Aug 2013 #3

Response to Cooley Hurd (Reply #2)

 

Link Speed

(650 posts)
3. JP(Senior) was my mother's first husband
Wed Aug 21, 2013, 10:27 PM
Aug 2013

JP was a character and emceed talent shows at Beaumont (TX) High School. He also hosted his own show on KTRM as The Big Bopper. Nobody knew it was JP.

I have a lot of his stuff, and I will never let go of it.

JP, junior was right up there with Hank Jr. No talent and a whole lot of bs.

Any way, rest easy, you of no talent who made a living on your Daddy's short - but phenomenal - career.

Link Speed

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