What was the Big Bopper’s real name?

SHARE What was the Big Bopper’s real name?

Dear Cecil: Cecil, what was the Big Bopper’s real name? S.H., Baltimore

Cecil replies:

The Big Bopper, who made a hit of “Chantilly Lace” and died in a plane crash along with Richie Valens and Buddy Holly, was in real life a disc jockey and program director at KTRM in Beaumont, Texas. His real name was J.P. Richardson.

Cecil Adams

Send questions to Cecil via cecil@straightdope.com.