SETX Native Big Bopper receives commemorative bobblehead on anniversary of death

Published 3:22 pm Tuesday, February 4, 2025

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Hello, baby! The Big Bopper is back—this time as a bobblehead! Fans of rock ‘n’ roll legend Jiles Perry Richardson Jr. can now say ‘oh baby, that’s what I like!’ as the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum honors him with a commemorative bobblehead, available for purchase.

The Museum, located in Milwaukee is commemorating the Feb 3rd anniversary of “The Day that Music Died” the day that Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and Big Hopper died in a plane crash. The day of the accident gained the nickname after it was referred to as such in Don McLean’s song “American Pie”.

 Richardson was born in Sabine Pass, now a part of Port Arthur, and began his music career as a disk jockey for the local radio station in Beaumont. There he broke the record for continuous on-air broadcasting for a total of over 5 days in the lobby of the Jefferson Theatre. He saw continued success as a songwriter, writing a song, “Running Bear” for local Port Arthur artist Johnny Preston in 1959. 

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Both artists are also honored in the Gulf Coast Museums Hall of Fame for musicians. 

“We’re excited to unveil the first bobbleheads celebrating music legends Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “Taken far too early, both musicians made lasting marks and the bobbleheads will be must-haves for music fans.”

Fans can purchase one of these limited bobbleheads on the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museums website.