Member Since: 5/27/2006
Band Members:
I was born in Sabine Pass, Texas, the oldest son of Jiles Perry, Sr. and Elise (Stalsby) Richardson. My father was an oil field worker and driller. I have two younger brothers, Cecil and James. Within a short time my family moved to Beaumont, Texas. I graduated from Beaumont High School in 1947 and was a member of the "Royal Purple" football team, wearing number "85" as a defensive lineman.
Later I studied law at Lamar College, and was a member of the band and chorus. During this time I worked part time at KTRM radio, where in 1949 I was hired full-time and left school. In 1952 I married Adrianne Joy from Montegut, Louisiana; in December 1953 our daughter, Debra Joy, was born. Earlier that year I was promoted to Supervisor of Announcers at KTRM. In March 1955 I was draftedinto the United States Army. My basic training was at Fort Ord,California after which Ispent two years as a radar instructor at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon my discharge at the rank of Corporal in March 1957, I returned to KTRM radio, where I held down the "Dishwashers' Serenade" shift from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
One of the station's sponsors wanted me for a new time slot and suggested a gimmick for the show. I noticed all the college kids doing a dance called The Bop, so I decided to become known as "The Big Bopper". I kicked off a new radio show from 3 to 6 p.m., and soon The Big Bopper became the station's program director.
In May of 1957, I broke the record for continuous on-the-air broadcasting by eight minutes. I went a total of five days, two hours and eight minutes, playing 1,821 records and taking showers during five-minute newscasts. During the marathon I lost 35 pounds (16 kg). KTRM paid me $746.50 for my overtime and I quickly hit the sack for 20 hours.
Then things changed, I had a number 1 hit with "Chantilly Lace", hooked up with Buddy Holly and took a wonderful but short plane ride...