The Plane Crash That Killed J.P. Richardson ( The Big Bopper )

Visiting the final resting place of J.P Richardson also known as the Big Bopper who died along wiylth Buddy Holly and Richie Valen on Feb 3rd 1959nin an airplane crash in Clear Lake,Iowa.

[@lostnaustin7390]

My grandfather knew Buddy Holly when he was just starting to get famous. He was also a musician and had a popular show called "The Bernie Howell Show" which aired from Lubbock, Texas. Alot of the older crowd from that area still remember that show. Buddy Holly put my grandfather down as a contact when he was trying to buy a brand new car and the salesman had never heard of him so he called my grandfather and asked him if Buddy was good for it or not. My grandfather told the salesman "You don't know who Buddy Holly is?! Don't worry...he is good for it"

[@samanthagomez7074]

Wow really. From Edinburg Texas

[@sallykohorst8803]

Wow thanks for sharing that.

[@williamsherman1089]

Great story

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Fascinating Story

[@peterm1826]

😏

[@rickmave7607]

Early the next morning as my uncle was returning home after being at the Surf Ballroom, my grandfather was grabbing his coat to leave the house in Mason City. "Where are you going dad?" Grandpa replied, "A bunch of musicians just crashed in a plane over by Clear Lake." Grandpa was one of the doctors who went to the crash site. I also had a close friend I worked with who attended the Big Bopper's last show, Gary said, "We weren't into music that much, but that's where all the girls were." Rest in Peace Ritchie, Buddy, and The Big Bopper.

[@nessa2481]

That’s amazing!

[@user-wq3qu7pt8p]

That must have been a horrible site to see those bodies in the shape they were found 😖

[@travelrx81]

For a long time afterwards, Waylon Jennings said that the words he told Buddy moments before boarding the plane haunted him SO much. "I hope your plane crashes" was said in jest, and of course it came to pass, and Waylon was never the same even decades after. May they all rest in peace (Waylon too).

[@Lilaa86]

Buddy Holly’s wife never visited his grave, to much sad and devastated for her, she lost also their baby for this tragic news.. when it happened .. 🥀

[@caroleeb1997]

No She didn't lose the baby. He was born.

[@S.R.Bartlett]

@@caroleeb1997 Buddy Hollie's wife Maria did suffer a miscarriage of their child. However J. P. Richardson's (Big Bopper) wife did have their child. J. P. died in Feb. 1959 and his son was born April 1959.

[@vicvega3614]

@@caroleeb1997 yes she did have a miscarriage

[@TheKatdawg65]

​@@caroleeb1997Maria remarried and later had two sons, but she did lose Buddy's baby.

[@johnc.heidenreich8117]

No, he wasn't.@@caroleeb1997

[@pickford3152]

The buddy holly story with Gary Busey is still one of my fav movies..seriously what could have been if they had a chance to continue to make the legendary music they were known for

[@timclary5614]

Do some research and you'll find out that the majority of that movie is pure bullshit, as is La Bamba. I wish they would make a movie with the real stories, because they are more fascinating than what was in the movies.

[@swampghost72]

​@@timclary5614 I agree.. even though I always loved the movie though.there are some facts in it.but they took a lot of creative liberties

[@MrBlink909]

Care to share that story?

[@jamesleclair1162]

They'd have turned into mumble country lmfao

[@cynthiaquinn590]

Why there's no telling how far they would've went with music or what type of name it would've been called... they would have came up with or far they would've went

[@terrybushey4701]

I went out to the surf ballroom last year in August of 2022 and while I was there I met a young lady whose in her seventies who told me she was there the night of the concert in 1959 not only that but her father owned the cornfields where the plane crashed! It Was a once in a lifetime Trip! Rest in Preace Buddy, Ritchie And The Big Bopper! Legends of Rock And Roll!

[@syko-blud]

R.I.P to all that died. 64 years later.

[@rickjohnson2859]

The Day The Music Died.

[@georgesawtooth2214]

Buddy Holly and Rich Valens had they lived would have blown up the rock-n-roll world for many years. I can only imagine what great music those 2 would have created.

[@whitleybayman123]

Agreed mate

[@ericacruz8261]

Agree but this video is about JP. He’s a legend and one of many pioneers in rock n roll.

[@Tomboyy9818]

Ritchie*

[@davidstill4321]

George I've often wondered the same thing and also what Hendrix would be like if he stayed with us longer.Good text bro.Good one

[@Bennifm]

And the Big Bopper would've owned a string of high-quality radio stations!

[@richekay]

Last year, July, 2022, I made a stop in Clear Lake Iowa and visited the crash site, right in the middle of a corn fields. From the memorials that are there, it is quite clear how much the music of these three impacted people. If you get the chance make the trip.

[@deirdrerosesharples7453]

I need to do this also my list of everything to see.

[@deirdrerosesharples7453]

They have the big black🕶️ yep...need to go....they have made a proper walk way now like trail

[@bucklebunny6661]

I’ve been out there before, so glad I went, I’m in a wheelchair now. My Grandkids live out there. I also went into The Surf Ballroom , got to talk to a lady there . My son in laws mom happened to go to that dance & got to watch them all play. Next day at school the girls heard that the plane crashed & they all were crying. Sad story all around.

[@PK-bh1ww]

The memorials and the Winter Dance Party were created to keep the SURF Ballroom running and thriving as well as the city of Clear Lake. The Winter Dance Party (Buddy Holly Tribute originally) didn't start until 1979 by a local radio station owner and crew. . Memorials weren't put up until 1990. All to help revive the SURF and create a tourist attraction. Nothing wrong with that... Just a fact.

[@loreenhlavac5586]

My sister and I went to the crash site and the Surf Ballroom last summer too. It was an emotional trip.

[@MelicaEighty8]

The BigBopper was 28 years old. Buddy Holly was 22 years old. Ritchie was only 17 years old.

[@Real_Sgt_Tom]

That night still haunted Waylon forever. It's crazy how he still told that story until died. They all will live forever in our appreciation for what they gave to the music world.

[@CSAFD]

Waylon flipped for the seat Valens got. Holly said “I hope u freeze your ass off.” To Waylon and he replied “I hope your plane crashes.” He regretted it the rest of his life .

[@FredF-if4wq]

Never forgave himself for that

[@morrisgentry8624]

Dr. Bass did the autopsy following the exhumation of the Big Bopper. My wife and I were fortunate to have dinner one evening with Dr. Bass and his wife. He was quite willing to discuss his high profile cases, including this one. Dr. Bass is a kind, amicable and fascinating man.

[@Animal_Lover66]

Dr. Richard Smiley was the one who examined the bodies. He didn’t examine the internal injuries because no autopsy was performed.

[@VeracityLH]

You're both right. There was no autopsy in 1959, but JP Richardson Jr had his father exhumed and autopsied in 2007 by Dr Bass at UTK. Apparently there had been stories of gunfire on the plane before the crash and rumors that JP had survived the crash briefly. The autopsy put both rumors to rest. According to JP Jr, his dad's features were still recognizable after nearly half a century.

[@QuatrinaVR]

More than one person on the tour began experiencing frostbite on their toes. The buses were seriously dangerous to them as musicians because their fingers could have been damaged by frostbite. I completely understand why Buddy Holly was so desperate to get away from the buses.

[@mariaevans5793]

True ,unfortunately !!!!!!😑🇬🇧

[@duskintheforest584]

Even now a bus is a miserable experience for long distances. I imagine a bus with no heat would just be a frozen hell on wheels.

[@jasoncrandall73]

Let's tour in winter in rural America with vechiles with no proper heat. Anyone that lives in Winter areas would not have been touring the same route as they did.

[@cynthiagoble7006]

Thank u. U were great.

[@sisco0304]

Wow so sad they probably wore Stacy Adams wingtip shoes in frigid conditions plus cold weather was bad for there equipment

[@su-rv2uq]

I always felt so sorry for the guy who hadn't had the bus fixed in time. Even though he wasn't to blame for the crash, I can't imagine he lived one day the rest of his life not feeling the weight of guilt for it.

[@bajikimran2304]

The wreckage was found early the next morning by the man who owned the property the plane landed on. The pilot (Roger Peterson) was not instrument trained, only visually trained. He took off in a snowstorm and the plane crashed after traveling less than 5 miles. Richardson's son had his fathers body exhumed around 15 years ago to determine if his father had survived the accident and tried to walk away to seek help. You are correct that they did a full body x-ray on Richardson and showed both legs were broken and there was no possible way Richardson could have walked away.

[@crystalrusmisel1832]

Heard he was fractured from head to toe

[@gennymikel4296]

According to the story of how the plane crashed, Buddy was up front and JP was in back. On impact Buddy would have slammed into the ceiling and JP would have smashed into him, and that would explain their injuries. As JP got thrown through the air the air would have filled his clothes like a balloon and thrown them off which explains why he landed in nothing but underwear.

[@amybeth5776]

@@gennymikel4296 What kind of crack are you smoking? None of what you said is the truth.

[@harveywallbanger6258]

bajik, something that I have read elsewhere was the type of attitude instrument that was used on the Bonanza aircraft. It was a Sperry 3 Attitude Gyro. Peterson did not have any instrument certification for flying at night and I read that he had failed this type of certification about one year before this accident occurred. Mr. Peterson read the Bonanza indicator as he would have the old ones … and THOUGHT that he was in a controlled climb … but was in a controlled descent … and banked when he thought he encountered an obstruction ahead … but it was the ground?

[@siobhancosgrove7277]

The singers were found outside the plane and the pilot was still in the wreckage. How the Big Bopper was found in the next field is a mystery. All I can say is may Ritchie, Buddy and The Big Bopper Rest In Peace and may Roger Peterson Rest In Peace as well

[@Tina37212]

@Brad Haines Thanks for this information.

[@Tina37212]

Are there any pics of the pilot in the wreckage? I saw video of the crash site. They were taking up close pictures of Buddy and Ritchie, but those pics are nowhere to be found.

[@hesayshesayhowboutmesay]

@@Tina37212they are still available. I’ve seen them through google search and on Reddit. The pilot was twisted up in the wreckage but if you look at it closely, unfortunately, you can see him.

[@sda9995]

@@Tina37212 Google it

[@WurmisD]

@@Tina37212 All that was immediately visible of the pilot was his right leg. Dude was upside down in that twisted metal. I've seen a single picture of the wreckage in which you could see the toe of his boot poking out toward the sky.

[@footballlvnlady]

My godmother was 17 years old and lived four blocks from the Green Bay venue. She went to the show. We were the day before the crash. It was brutally cold here that night and around the whole state while the guys went back and forth between shows. We have a dance every year the day of our show. It is held at the original location. It has been kept like it was in the 50’s.

[@fuzzamajumula]

Awesome!

[@rockinmosquito]

About six hours after the show, the Green Bay Packers held a press conference, and announced the hiring of a new head coach, Vince Lombardi.

[@Paul_Wetor]

There's a Buddy Holly CD that came out long ago called "From The Original Master Tapes". The last track is stunning with headphones. You hear Buddy clear his throat just before the song starts, a quiet ballad with strings. It's like you are right there at the microphone with him. I've never heard any other recording like that. Very touching, knowing what came next.

[@suzannesylcox4450]

Thanks for sharing. I'm going to search for that :))

[@christinedelman887]

That sounds amazing, I'll definitely have to try to catch that one. Thank you for sharing!

[@quazink]

Does this version of True Love Ways have the strings? Would be great to hear Buddy sing an acoustic version of this song.

[@terrynicoll5443]

I'm glad you visited J.P. Richardson's gravesite. He's not as recognized as the other two musicians.

[@VintageLPs]

My girlfriend and I were eleven living in Minneapolis when their plane crashed and believe me, even at that young age we were into ALL the rock ‘n roll bands and music. It was SHOCKING to all of my group of friends and we definitely knew the music of the Big Bopper, Richie Valens and, of course, Buddy Holly. My girlfriend and I had 45’s of all the popular records and we would make up skits to sing along with the records and put on shows for our friends at pajama parties. Pretending to be on the phone as the Big Bopper singing “Chantilly Lace” was a lot of fun. Out of that tragedy one of my favorite teen heartthrobs emerged because he sounded a lot like Buddy Holly and that was Bobby Vee from Fargo, N.D. Thank you for taking us to see the grave; I wish his marker was bigger but it was nice of them to erect the big history sign. Also, very nice that his wife is at his side again. Time flies by so fast……64 years ago and it seems as if it was yesterday.

[@chuckford5927]

I can't imagine the horror and sadness of those who discovered the plane and the bodies the following morning. Heartbreaking. I'm still a fan of their music to this day. I can't hear "La Bamba" without cranking it up! Thanks for giving J.P. the recognition he deserves, Lamont. Well done. May they all RIP.

[@davidschaadt3460]

No distress calls the plane just didn't show up.

[@hermanator74301]

Richardson didn't do ' La Bamba ' .

[@chuckford5927]

@@hermanator74301 Tell me something I don't know...I was commenting on one of my favorite songs performed by Ritchie Valens, who was also killed in the crash.

[@Eirinen_E34]

🕊🕊🕊

[@Kevin-xi6ts]

I was there. It was horrible. They were all decapitated.

[@rockforeverentertainment1919]

⭐⭐J.P. Richardson proudly served his country just a couple years after the Korean War. Even though J.P. was drafted into the United States Army, J.P. manned up and served his country with pride and honor. J. P. graduated from the rigorous United States Army bootcamp Fort Ord in beautiful Monterey Bay, California. After Army basic training in California, J.P. was transferred to his home state of Texas and served near El Paso, Texas. While in the U.S. Army, J.P. was fortunate to have been selected to attend and graduate from the challenging and demanding Radar Technical school. While serving at Fort Bliss Army base near El Paso, Texas, J.P. served as a Radar Instructor. J.P. served as a Private E-1 and then Private First Class E2 and finally promoted to Corporal E3. While in the Army J.P. learned other valuable skills like team work, leadership, discipline, honor, courage, commitment and selfless devotion to duty. J.P. served two years in the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge. J.P Richardson was proud to have served and was proud to be a United States Army Veteran. ⭐⭐

[@sandiwinters1437]

Thank you for being the only one to recognize this and say it!

[@kevinmalone3210]

Good, the guy was multi-talented. The Army, was just following directives in imposing the draft, and nobody was a jerk as Lamont said. It was just the way it was in those times. If you were called up, you go in.

[@alflyover4413]

I wondered when I saw the coins on his grave marker.

[@TwilightxKnight13]

Just for clarity, your Army military ranks are wrong. E-1 is a private with no rank insignia. E-2 is still just a private, but gains a single stripe. E-3 is private first class, a single stripe with a rocker. E-4 is specialist or corporal depending on the unit needs, corporal being a non-commissioned officer, while specialist is not an NCO.

[@paulmcwilliams1709]

I always liked J.P. Richardson(aka The Big Bopper), and I was surprised at the number of hits that he had. The thing that really pisses me off is the fact that he's not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Buddy Holly, and Richie Valens are both in there, but not J.P. Richardson, and I can't find out why??? Rest in Peace J.P. Richardson.

[@sandrasanders706]

They see Richardson as a novelty act, which is wrong.

[@ericacruz8261]

@@sandrasanders706 that’s sad. Unfortunate that he gets overlooked

[@flyguy5941]

I no longer support the rock hall. Nothing against Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton, but they should not be in the rock hall. Even Dolly originally tried to get out of it.

[@rucianapollard7098]

I didn't know that Big Bopper wasn't in the RHOF!! I'm surprised!

[@liftme225]

R&R Hall is Rolling Stone dump. Doesn't represent true talent confirmed by many acts they have placed in their "Hall"

[@lisabarnes2477]

Thank you for doing a video on J.P. he seems to be left out alot. I can't imagine what he could have done in his career if he didn't lose his life that night. RIP to all the lives that were lost that sad night

[@rockinmosquito]

The Big Bopper in an article published in early January of 59, predicted the music video. He recorded three songs on video, Chantilly Lace, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Big Boppers Wedding. They were lost, until the manager of his radio station retired, when they were found in an old trunk. In the very same article, he also predicted the home VCR. Drawings for both a video jukebox, and the VCR were found as well.

[@oldgordo61]

IMO if Buddy Holly had lived to his natural lifespan he mght very well have become the biggest singer of all time. He not only influenced the Beatles the Rolling Stones and the Hollies just off the top of my head...undoubtly J P Richardson and Richie Valens would have become major stars as well. The saddest part of that tragedy was that Valens was only 17 at the time. Buddy Holly was only 22 or 23 and Holly's wife was pregnant at the time of his death. And sadly she lost the baby.

[@cheryldrumheller5086]

Such a tragedy, they all had a future ahead of them. Thank you Lamont for covering this story.

[@Spikestrip55]

Thanks Lamont, I always enjoy your storytelling that gives a link to the subject matter! I worked at the cemetery in California where Ritchie Valens is buried. His grave is the most visited among all the celebrities there.

[@lilaanderson2885]

It's so sad to think three wonderful musicians and their pilot were dead before they even had a chance to enjoy their popularity and fame to the full extent. They were definitely a force to be reckoned with. I have loved their music my entire life, being born in 1949 they were already on their way to super stardom before I was even born. It's sad that they left so soon, I remember the day it was reported that they had died, stunned comes to mind and still today stunned is my experience. I was amazed to see in this film that the Big Bopper was born October 24, 1930, which made him exactly 10 years older than my husband of more than 51 years. My husband at times would fool around and use the Bopper's line, oh baby that's what I like and the line hello baby in the same manner as J. P. Richardson the BIG BOPPER had done. Rest in Peace knowing you were loved by millions worldwide still today, though your voice was stilled your music still lives on.

[@RoseofSharon3]

They didn’t do a regular autopsy on the Big Bopper, they X-rayed him from head to foot and he was all busted up inside. No way for him to get up and walk away. People had said he tried to walk away for help. That was of course untrue.

[@rondunagan6339]

Many of these artist from this area took lessons from my grandfather. My grandfather owned and taught Buddy at Dunagan School of Music in Lubbock, Tx. Mack Davis also took lessons there. My uncle and aunt were musicians as well as my dad. I too play multiple instruments. There’s a lot of history here.

[@craigblakes5499]

Are you still here in Lubbock? Where is that school at if it's still there?

[@Betlenut]

I was performing at a corporate gig with my 1950's-60's band in Palm Springs CA, also headlining was Jay Perry Richardson (son of Jiles Perry Richardson). On a break we had a nice conversation about his mission to honor his fathers legacy by performing his songs along with a Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens impersonator recreating the ill-fated 1959 "Winter Dance Party" tour. So sad he died on August 21, 2013 at the age of 54.

[@jamesCam69]

A very unassuming stone for such an artist. Thanks for helping to keep his name alive! RIP to all the souls involved.

[@righteousredneck777]

Thanks for coming to my hometown and making this video. A great history lesson for people. These 3 guys obviously loved music and what they did. To handle those kind of conditions just proves it. Just a sad story and tragedy.

[@zeus014]

The cause of this crash has been well-documented, including in other videos on KZbin. The pilot, Roger Petersen, was 22 years old and an instrument-rated commercial pilot. But the artificial horizon (gyro instrument) on this particular plane was archaic even by 1959 standards. Unlike the blue/brown indicators that Petersen was used to flying, this old Sperry unit was WWII-vintage and more difficult to decipher. Petersen was not current in that particular instrument and, due to the resulting spatial disorientation in hard IFR conditions, had no visual reference with the ground - only his instruments. Without the proper familiarization with this particular instrument he had no idea that, rather than being in a straight and level climb, he had entered a graveyard spiral. At such a low altitude to begin with so soon after takeoff it's likely he had little time to even recognize the problem let alone recover from it.

[@tomboy4047]

So glad you did this one. Been waiting for someone to do a good video on this. Thank you for what you do

[@maryclark1049]

I read about this crash a while back and it's gruesome what happened to the bodies of the victims. So so sad.

[@rucianapollard7098]

I read the autopsy reports for all 3 men and they were messed up pretty bad

[@maryclark1049]

@@rucianapollard7098 Yes 💯 I'm glad they didn't suffer though.

[@rucianapollard7098]

@@maryclark1049 I agree. It was over before they had time to be afraid

[@Mike-rk8px]

The plane was flying at 170 mph, you wouldn’t know what hit you at that speed. I once hit a tree at 60 mph in my 2006 Corvette, and I didn’t even have time to put on the brakes or get scared. An airbag saved my life, but my right leg was broken in 2 places. I went into total shock instantly and felt no pain for about 15 minutes, until the EMT crew showed up and pulled me from the car.

[@stingylizard]

@@Mike-rk8px Glad you're still with us!

[@NickyyTrickyy]

Eddie Cochran's song called '3 stars' for them makes me tear up. You can hear him choak up in it. My Dad used to play it to me and tell me about the 'day the music died' 🧡 Love chantilly lace and such a tragedy😢

[@b-dalebarksdale348]

May all of them Rest In Power 🙏💐 they all were very young, 28, 22, 21, and 17, what a horrible 💔 tragedy!!

[@latasha195]

I agree that's why I think God for every birthday I get to see! It's breaks my heart that none of them lived to even be the age that I'm about to be which is 32! I can't imagine how horrifying it was for their bodies to be found in the conditions that they were found in as it is bad and sad enough that they died! May all four victims continue to rest peacefully! I'm glad they didn't feel any pain at least! 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@b-dalebarksdale348]

@@latasha195 Happy Early Birthday 🎉 to you and yes it's always a blessing to make it to every birthday, welcome to 30s club, I thank God every age I make it to because life isn't promise to you these young people died 💔 in such a horrible matter, plane crashed are so awful, I'm still heart broken about Aaliyah, and also 2020 Kobe Bryant and his daughter, I can't even imagine losing someone that way, but being a fan of Aaliyah and I was 15 in 2001 when her crash happen, I was in disbelief to come find that out on the news and it was such a beautiful day until I got home and heard about her passing, my point is it feels like you know them and like there your family but yet still can't imagine losing a love or friend that way and I have lost some good friends but thank God not in a plane crash, but again happy birthday and many more to come Latasha 195 🙏💞

[@latasha195]

@@b-dalebarksdale348 thank you so very much hunny! Right I agree! I was heartbroken when I heard about Aaliyah then Kobe and his daughter and that there were no survivors in either of these plane and helicopter crashes! It's the reason I'm afraid to get on air planes, helicopters and anything else that goes up in the sky!

[@b-dalebarksdale348]

@@latasha195 I'm with u on that, I never been on a helicopter or plane and not in a rush to get on one but as a teen I have been on roller coaster rides, yeah I kinda feel like if it was meant for us to be in the air we would have wings 😂 but I'll get on one, one day, and ur welcome sweetie!!

[@hermanator74301]

" rest in power " ????

[@davidsharpe426]

I love this guy and look forward to all his videos. Excellent as always !!

[@monicahyland8641]

This was so sad so much talent lost that night

[@kevinmalone3210]

This type of music they performed even went downhill after this accident.

[@MongoLloyd-px7jt]

Holly was the only talent.

[@craigblakes5499]

​@@MongoLloyd-px7jtwrong

[@kaymuldoon3575]

Which is why this date was often referred to as “the day the music died.” And yes, that was long before Don McLean’s hit “American Pie.”

[@shoreline780]

Nicely done Man!! Very fitting tribute to the Man nobody knew including me. I never knew the back story behind the Big Bopper. Thanks for the video!!

[@deanstephens5940]

".....do you recall what was the feel, the day the music died...." Another good video, and a story I grew up with. I wasn't born until '68, but my family had music playing constantly. We still do! Be well and safe travels my guy.

[@TheKatdawg65]

It's "do you recall what was revealed".

[@fiddlefolk]

I heard the story firsthand from Tommy Allsup. Tommy said that Ritchie wanted to be with the headliners on the plane so Tommy said I'll flip you for it. Tommy lost the coin flip and Ritchie lost his life. Waylon gave JP his seat because JP was sick with the flu and wanted to get there and get some rest to get to feeling better. Ironically, Buddy walked by Waylon's bus window and told Waylon, I hope you freeze your ass off. Waylon said, well, I hope you crash. Tommy said Waylon regretted that for the rest of his life.

[@joederosas5654]

Thank you for your informative and well-researched videos Lamont. I always learn something new from them, keep up the great work!

[@duskintheforest584]

This happened when I was only 3 years old, but my older siblings who were very into popular music spoke about it even years later when I was more aware of things. Your regular Joe recounting of events brings it all back from 1959. It was cut and dried then too. Young, emerging music entertainers killed in plane crash. Being from Texas Buddy Holly means something to me even today after my own long career as a professional musician playing all over Texas.

[@elizabethgirard5408]

Thank you Lamont for posting awesome videos and I enjoy watching and learning new things along the way. It's been 64 years since the music died 🎶

[@Kevin-593]

J.P. Richardson's son performed at The Surf Ballroom for years singing his dad's songs and I think he was trying to get a movie made about his Dad's life and he died. Buddy Holly & Waylon Jennings were good friends. Waylon was a DJ before he became a singer and he had Buddy in the studio. They reconnected when Waylon became Buddy's bass player. On the night of the crash,they were joking around and Buddy said "I hope your bus freezes up" and Waylon said "I hope your plane crashes." Both things happened and Waylon thought he caused the plane crash and he felt that way for years.

[@aprilpittiglio5388]

If I'm correct. Buddy was 22 or 23 and his wife may have been pregnant with their first. Ritchie was 17 at the time. May they all rest in peace🙏.

[@elizabethmckenna5397]

I cannot imagine what it was like for his son, who was born after the death of his father, to actually see his father after the exhumation. This was someone he had only heard stories about up to that point. But to actually see his father, no matter what condition he was in. Wow!

[@mrgonnadoo]

He was in pretty good condition actually, all his features still recognisable, there was a green tinge to the skin color however. As you may know the exhumation was granted to settle the debate once and for all whether JP was alive after the crash and succumbed to his injuries a while later …. He didn’t, his injuries were re examined and the conclusion was he died on impact, no cameras were allowed, JP’s body was transferred to a new casket and surprisingly the old one was sold at auction !

[@elizabethmckenna5397]

@@mrgonnadoo That is incredible. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment

[@chiasanzes9770]

@@mrgonnadoo Not sold. It is in museum.

[@lorimoran5221]

Dr William Bass did the autopsy on him. They did xrays on the Bopper. He had so many injuries. Dr Bass was amazed at the appearance of his face.

[@pommiebears]

Imagine looking at your father, who is half the age you are. His father was a young man, and he was looking at him….whilst being a middle aged man. It’s like time travel. Very sad.

[@jeffdavis7376]

I watched a documentary on that crash and they said one of reason for the crash is the pilot had no or little experience on instrument readings, when he look at the instruments he thought he was going up but he was actually going down, The Buddy Holly Story and La bama were both fantastic movies, oops I spoke too soon Lamont already said the pilot didn't have instruments ratings for the plane

[@Mamasays5683]

My father-in-law was the insurance adjuster for the airplane. He saw the crash site, plane,etc. Had some very interesting theories on the crash

[@waylonmccrae3546]

Care to share ??

[@mariawallin2008]

​@@waylonmccrae3546Yes please Share!!

[@sheilariley1261]

Buddy Holly was a big indluence on the Beatles. Can you imagine if this horrid crash hadnt happened how Buddy would have been like together. If only. Loved the Big Bopper. The saddest day in music history. Bless JP's son and the other surviving families. My heart breaks for them

[@fh346]

An Example of a Man Who Definitely does His Homework!!! Thank You Lamont!!!!! We'll Done Video Sir!!!!! Worthy of a Sub Sir.😉👍

[@paulgrimm]

There’s another story related to this.The Bopper was exhumed looking for a bullet wound ,and yes He looked great! His jacket was still pressed .So Boppers son got to see his father . Batesville Casket company want to study the original casket,and donated a new one for reburial

[@allentate3760]

I know the Dr. who did that exhumation

[@robinbusbin2921]

My Dad Jiles Crouch was born in Batesville Ms where these caskets are made

[@vicvega3614]

They said he still looked young, even younger then his son, very strange to see ur dad looking younger then you. Must be very good caskets

[@paulgrimm]

@@vicvega3614 It was especially in humid Beaumont

[@Praise___YaH]

Guys, Here is The True Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER (Genesis 1) HIMSELF was Who they Crucified/Pierced for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moshe (Moses) wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@brucegwynn47]

Good job telling this story, for the most part you got it all exactly right, I've looked at it and watched Waylon tell it for 30 years and got the same info you told Lamont, thanks

[@madbutler6022]

Thank you for all the amazing content Lamont!!

[@gokathygo]

And I can only imagine all the the great music we could have had from them if they all have lived

[@kevinmalone3210]

The draft was in effect during those times. If you were called up, you had no choice in the matter, so JP Richardson either had to go in, or go to jail. Even Elvis was drafted into the Army during the 50s at the height of his success. The song, American Pie by Don McLean has a tribute in it to the singers/performers that died in this plane crash.

[@rogerstlaurent8704]

TY Kevin for saying that Bye-Bye Miss American pie Drove my chevy to the levee but the levee was dry a TRUE American Classic Buddy holly The Big Bopper Ritchie Valens were all TRUE AMERICAN ARTIST that could sing and write their own songs and act ...Todays Artis if you want to call them that are just TRASH by a Billion times over

[@redcat9436]

@@rogerstlaurent8704 You're clueless about modern music.

[@BeliaLastes]

​@@redcat9436 if you mean "The Voice" and or "America's got talent" then not so much or soy boy's with Hipster haircuts singing with high pitched voices strumming guitars definitely not so much

[@rogerstlaurent8704]

Leave Robot

[@larrysintay4456]

Muhammad Ali had the right mindset about the draft

[@bettybrown8534]

The guys are gone, but their music will live on forever.

[@lindafurr2404]

The Big Bopper was autopsied to see if he was alive for a while after the crash. X-rays showed that almost every bone in his body was broke. It had nothing to do with a gun.

[@dancingchicken4141]

You did his voice really well, I thought. Sadness. Thank you for feeding and caring for the birds 🐦🕊

[@goldiekildea2924]

Your videos are all I watch on KZbin. Lamont you don't disappoint and I know that I'm in for A treat with your content!!

[@jimmccord487]

Outstanding presentation,Lamont.The cherry on top was your excellent impersonation of the Big Bopper.( @ 1:49 in the clip was FANTASTIC !)

[@jimcrawford5039]

I was 17 then, in the UK. All three were well known, although Buddy Holly was the most famous, I had most of his records (to date, more were released for quite a few years afterwards) I also had Chantilly Lace and little red riding hood of the Big Bopper. Such a sad day that was!

[@cathycorriher6313]

That's a story that never grows old......they were ahead of my time but love listening to their music.

[@EmergencyGuy]

Waylon Jennings wrote and performed the theme to “The Dukes of Hazzard”, which is “Good Ol’ Boys”. He also did narration as The Balladeer before appearing in person in later episodes after a new balladeer was chosen. “I Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This” is another of his country hits. He’s now in Heaven performing alongside the likes of Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Elvis Presley, and J.P. Richardson.

[@CSAFD]

Jennings was also in the movie “Maverick” starring Mel Gibson, James Garner, and Jodie Foster. Jennings makes an appearance with Kathy Mattea, also special appearances by Hal Ketchum, Clint Black, Denver Pyle (uncle Jessie in dukes of hazard), Carleen Carter, Vince Gill, Reba, and Margot Kidder (Lois lane in the Superman’s),

[@golfbravowhiskey8669]

Me being a private pilot for 30 years the story comes around pretty regularly. Nothing more than spatial disorientation your inner ear will play tricks on you like you cannot imagine if your eyes cannot see a horizon. It will almost trick you into thinking, and I have felt it at least a dozen times like I am going straight up and you look at your instruments in the airplane and you are going down Pretty sad day And we still have probably seven or eight crashes per month in the United States alone sodue to spatial disorientation getting in the clouds without being properly trained and even when you were properly trained. Two weeks ago we had a Pilatus PC 12 air ambulance crash and kill five people and they have the finest avionics available to them and it was a pure case of spatial disorientation he flew in the ground at about 12,000 foot a minute .

[@duskintheforest584]

As a non pilot the closest thing I can equate to spatial disorientation is driving in the rain as an 18 wheeler obliterates your vision with wheel splash onto your windshield. Am I driving straight? Am I veering off? No visual reference.

[@golfbravowhiskey8669]

@@duskintheforest584 absolutely, and especially driving in fog. That is so thick. You can’t see is the same way if you take your eyes off of that windshield and look down at the floorboard and look back up, you can’t tell which way is up.

[@frandanco6289]

@@golfbravowhiskey8669 - Exactly ! Thanks for mentioning this !!! I have driven in fog so thick, that I had to stop the car, get out, go look around for the street stripes, and make sure I was still going straight... Even though I was in a city, all the buildings on the sides, etc., were just gone - the fog was that thick..

[@fuzzamajumula]

Oh god. How tragic! How could that happen when they have instruments? It's one thing if they are not instrument trained, but...?

[@denniskwahl]

@@frandanco6289 I used to drive for Greyhound Lines . One night at about 3AM while driving through a big snowstorm ,the big snowflakes began spinning in my headlights . I couldn't see the road at all, and it actually felt like we were spinning in space. A very eerie feeling for sure. I can't imagine that happening while piloting an airplane. I'm sure there are many who have experienced the same feeling. A very disorienting experience.

[@ladyyuna2000]

💐💐RIP Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson Jr. (October 24, 1930 - February 3, 1959) (aged 28), known as The Big Bopper you will truly be missed and my prayers go out to you and your family. 💐💐

[@robinbusbin2921]

My son named Jiles was also born on October 24th

[@pammiedoodle8693]

You do great videos, Lamont! Always so interesting and informative 👍🏼😊

[@ramonafreeman752]

thank you, Lamont. your attention to detail is always amazing

[@Laugh_73]

Waylon Jennings dealt with a lot of survivor guilt because of this.

[@lynnesherwood3748]

Great voice interpreter. I always enjoy your videos. You impart so much history. I especially enjoy the ones you do in Oklahoma. I was born and raised in OKC. THANK YOU Lamont.

[@wazhazhe5831]

I was 7 years old at the time of the crash. Of the three musicians, I probably knew the least about The Big Bopper. I enjoyed learning more about him. Thanks for the video.

[@joeallenboxing]

Another great video! Thank you Lamont! You make my and my Dads day! We love you man!

[@sallykohorst8803]

Thanks for doing his story. I feel he is more forgotten than the others too. You also did a great impersonation of P.J.

[@hunterace9235]

February 2, 1959 The Day the Music Died, RIP

[@3.2Carrera]

Some aviation accident experts cite the cause of the crash much like you did, but added an important thing. The inclinometer ball on this model had brown depicted as the ground and black as the sky from what I recall. I guess back then there was no standard to make blue the sky portion of the ball and switching between planes for someone not really experienced running just on instruments, in the dark, and in a snow storm could not have been anything other than this tragedy. So in short the pilot became disoriented shortly after takeoff, couldn't see the ground or any lights to help him, looked at the inclinometer thinking he was inverted, and then made the opposite correction. This happened just minutes after takeoff. Autopsies of the passengers show they died instantly so at least they didn't suffer.

[@lisawoodwalker7180]

Thanks for taking us along today!!

[@sonnydee4736]

I really appreciate your documentary on this. It's really sad what happened to them and Patsy Cline as well. Life is so fragile

[@gregpaspatis9425]

@Sonny DEE There's a very long list of musical performers and singers who died in air tragedies from the 1940s WWII death of band leader Glenn Miller to r&b performer and actress Aliyah who was on a plane with excessive amount of equipment used for a music video causing the plane to drop into the ocean.

[@curtissmith5469]

So glad you did The Big Boppers grave and told the story of the day the music died. I like music from that era and go to a lot of classic car shows that play that music. So sad we lost them so soon in their careers and that the world would never know how successful they would have become had they lived,Richie Valens was the youngest of them losing his life at 17!Great video as always Lamont and hopefully someday you could do Buddy Holly and Richie Valens cause he's buried in your home state of California! Also their is Jim Reeves that also died in a plane crash and Patsy Cline that died in a Helicopter crash. Look forward to your next Vlog.

[@sandrasanders706]

Cline died in a plane crash, including two musicians and her manager, 60 years ago this month.

[@Tomboyy9818]

There* Patsy Cline died in a plane crash not a helicopter crash

[@afwalker1921]

Texas still cherishes J.P. Richardson. Thank you for not forgetting him.

[@Tonetwisters]

I was listening to the radio, starting around 1955. I SO remember this song when it was on the charts, and as a kid of 11 or 12, LOVED Chantilly Lace ... it was full of hooks and neat things I had never heard before. Thanks for doing this story on The Big.

[@janiefox3458]

Thanks for the old pictures - I was a teenager when this happened and remember getting up the next morning and hearing the news.

[@Kevin-xi6ts]

I lived on the farm where the crash occurred. I remember hearing the crash and jumping into my truck to investigate. When I got there I saw the bodies on the ground and immediately raced back home to call the cops.

[@williamzander4732]

Should of took out your I phone and took pictures and sold them to TMZ you would be rich 👍

[@Kevin-xi6ts]

@@williamzander4732 I sold the pics to the Freemasons

[@TracyS-ct1gy]

Yeah right troll.

[@pauldudakadanielthomson8890]

I was a stow-away and the only survivor , Nanook of the North rescued me before the fuzz and homeland security arrived.

[@photone]

The plane wasn't found until the next morning, troll!

[@cindys1819]

The news came over the radio of the crash. It was top news and everyone, not just teenagers, was talking about what happened and was saddened. Amazing amount of drama over the circumstances of the Tragedy.

[@hollyb.3615]

Good work, Lamont! I was just a kid when this happened but I remember it well. I also remember that back story about those awful buses they used. Like so many of that era, I literally grew up on rock n roll. What happened to them still makes me sad , even after all this time has elapsed. Yes, it was " the day the music died ".

[@bettyahlheitt8812]

no it wasn't

[@PK-bh1ww]

Not all the music. WAYLON and Tommy lived and had great careers and put out some great music/ songs.

[@samanthagomez7074]

Wow l wasn't born jet when this happened l was born in 1972

[@henrygarza3145]

So Chum, you agree with this caveman regarding the comments about the military and disrespect? Chum.

[@kendallevans4079]

"Good work"? How do you think the relatives of these deceased people feel looking at this?

[@juliewessels4045]

I've seen many stories about the day the music died. None of them can hold a candle to yours. Stay safe, stay warm, and rock on, Lamont!💜✌

[@RoyalMetal9]

From a few stories I’ve heard regarding the cause of the crash. It had something to do with the artificial horizon indicator. Most planes have a gauge where the plane wing indicator stays static and just the horizon moves. In the crashed plane, the gauge worked in reverse. The horizon stayed static and the plane wing indicator moved. The pilot was not trained for flight using the latter. Add to that the weather, how dark it was and how tired he may have been and that’s a disaster waiting to happen.

[@j.whiteoak6408]

3 legends gone in one plane crash .. Tragic for them, tragic for us. Imagine what they might have accomplished given the opportunity.

[@kevinmalone3210]

Rock music went downhill after this crash, event happened.

[@woodrowsmith7890]

Another great video. Thank you for all the work you do for us.

[@debbieinglis143]

Really enjoyed this one thank you Lamont love your stories 🫶🇬🇧

[@jessicadvargas27]

I never usually comment but I enjoy your videos. Waylon Jennings is one of my favorites. He made a song called, "Long time ago" and he says, 🎵"Don't ask me who I gave my seat to on that plane.... I think you already know I told you that a long time ago...."🎵

[@susanmontgomery5418]

Great job Lamont covering this story. All of them were so good this was such a tragedy. So sad.

[@dundeeutility4899]

We definitely missed out on the music they would've created if this never happened!!! RIP TO THEM 🕊🕊🕊

[@spudwas]

You forgot to mention the song called "Running Bear" that "Big Bopper" wrote which topped the Billboard chart for 3 weeks at number one by Johnny Preston back in Oct of 1959. Also the Big Bopper and George Jones did the sound effects for that song. Now that is a true "Swan Song" for the Big Bopper!

[@andrewrau7516]

You know this story well, gotta give you credit because I'm a definite expert on the crash AND Buddy Holly. I knew Tommy Alsup and his wife Karen very well, Tommy was a close friend of my father's. Here's THE truth with Tommy giving up his seat on the plane......Tommy didn't mind the bus ride. He'd never toured OR travelled around like this. Despite the cold and the bus issues he was having fun with the guys, playing poker and card games, someone even started a small fire with notebook paper in the back of the bus to keep warm, no joke. Ritchie had been bugging him about the plane all evening. Buddy wanted his band to fly with him and Tommy knew Buddy would give him a little hell and poke at him for bailing out, so he kept telling Ritchie no. But Tommy honestly didn't care whether he rode the bus or flew, so finally Tommy said screw it and pulled out a 50 cent coin, the Benjamin Franklin one, before it was replaced with JFK, and flipped it. Other people claim to have flipped it, the MC of the show Bob Hale, Dion......but Tommy maintained he flipped it himself, quickly, backstage with nobody else present, Ritchie called heads and won and made a remark about that being the first coin toss he'd ever won. Tommy had to go out back to the car that was taking them the airport and grab his gear and take it back to the bus. Buddy DID poke at him a little bit for not going. I was fascinated with this story all the way back to my childhood in the 80s. After La Bamba came out I would bug Tommy to tell me about the story EVERY time we went over there. I grew up in Hendersonville Tennessee and Tommy Alsup was right down the street in the Indian Lake subdivision. Tommy was a nice guy, Soft spoken and always candid about and willing to talk to me about the Winter Dance Party tour experience and the events of February 2nd-3rd 1959

[@heels-villeshoerepairs8613]

No one could have replaced Elvis. The voice, the looks, the style, unmatchable.

[@julieclaxton7733]

Thanks for sharing this Lamont, you are the best. I love history 😀.

[@lifewithcarrie88]

Really enjoyed hearing the backstory of JP. You always hear so much about Buddy and Richie never anything about him. They should've done a movie about JP I think it would be interesting

[@trent3872]

Just read the report from the medical examiner on Holley, Richardson and Valenze. Pretty disturbing. Their heads were crushed and brains were basically gone. Hit the ground at 170mph shouldn't surprise you.