Sunday, January 04, 2009

Big Bopper’s Casket Up for Sale

Um…. OK. 

So keep an eye on eBay: the Big Bopper’s family is planning to auction the late rock ‘n’ roller’s casket in the next few weeks.

According to the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson’s casket, made of 16-gauge steel, was exhumed last year so the singer’s remains could be moved to a more visible location with a statue and historic marker. The Big Bopper, once a Texas DJ, was killed in the plane crash that also took the lives of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens near Clear Lake, Iowa, on February 3, 1959, a day since called “the day the music died.” He was 28, and had just had his first major hit, “Chantilly Lace.” He was also the songwriter of George Jones’ “White Lightning” and Johnny Preston’s “Running Bear.”

After the casket was removed, the “Chantilly Lace” singer’s remains were exhumed — an autopsy showed that he did, indeed, die of crash-related injuries — and placed in a new casket. The old one, according to the Enterprise, has been in public display at the Texas Musicians Museum in Hillsboro, Texas, since last year.

It’s apparently in good condition, with just some minor rust spots and a white lime stain where water rose against, but did not enter, the casket. (Indeed, Richardson’s body was said to have stayed in excellent condition.)

(5) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1550 hrs
Off-Duty

  1. It’s tempting, but my mantle is big enough.  Plus it would be too much of giggle in the talk to have this.

    Posted by yoSAMite on January 04, 2009 at 1642 hrs


  2. That’s a helluva big mantle you must have. I’d be tempted to use it as a coffee table myself.

    Posted by Ordinary Jill on January 04, 2009 at 1702 hrs


  3. Eww

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2009 at 0719 hrs


  4. ...

    There ain’t a-nothin’ worth a scoffin’
    like a big ol’ coffin

    Make my house look funny
    make me spend my money

    Maybe climb inside
    smell formaldehyde

    I’m-like-a ghoul
    Oh baby, that’s-a what I like…


    -jjg
    DailyScoff.com

    Posted by J. Gravelle on January 05, 2009 at 1000 hrs


  5. Goodbye, Baaaabyyyy.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2009 at 1256 hrs


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