The Big Bopper is a legendary Rock 'n' Roll artist who was best known for his song, "Chantilly Lace". The Big Bopper died in a plane crash along with Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens on February 3, 1959 in Mason City, Iowa.
His life and the crash will be featured in the film The Day That Music Died, set to be released on February 9, 2009. The title was originally referenced by Don McLean in his hit song "American Pie".
A Legend Is Born
The Big Bopper began his music career working for the local Beaumont, Texas radio station KTRM. After a two year stint in the U.S. Army, he returned home and hosted a new radio show, named after The Bop, the dance teens were doing all over town. With his new show "The Big Bopper," he broke a record for having the longest continuous on-the-air broadcasting with a total of five days, two hours and eight minutes. In that time he played 1,821 records and lost 35 pounds.
