Spinner

Big Bopper Casket for Sale

This February 3rd will mark the 50th anniversary of 'The Day the Music Died,' the Iowa plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the "Big Bopper." Old-time rock 'n' roll fans with a little extra cash on hand might consider memorializing the date ... by buying the Big Bopper's casket.

Yes, it's empty. Jay Richardson, son of the Bopper (who was born JP Richardson, Jr.), is selling the coffin after it was exhumed from a Texas cemetery in 2007. The hefty 'Chantilly Lace' singer was laid to rest in another box and moved to a bigger plot, alongside his wife.

Taking advantage of his father's brief encore, the Bopper's son, who performs in a tribute show as the Big Bopper Jr., authorized an autopsy. Rumors had swirled for years that the accident had been caused by some mysterious in-flight gunplay, but a forensics expert determined once and for all that the body's trauma was consistent with the effects of an airplane crash.

Apparently, the Bopper's flattop was still perfect. "It was awesome," Richardson told the Des Moines Register. "I talked to him. I got to know my dad a little better."

Though Richardson disputed reports that he planned to sell the casket on eBay -- how gauche! -- he didn't deny planning to sell it. "It's an empty steel box," he said. "I'd make it into a tackle box, but it's too friggin' heavy."

All the AOL Music info you want to know

50 Cent, Street King: Rapper Visits…

The Boombox

AP Photo/World Food Programme, Rose Ogola NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Rapper 50 Cent…

Grammy Acceptance Speeches: Watch 30…

AOL Music Blog

FilmMagic, Getty, WireImage It's been a busy week for God. Besides helping…

Earl Sweatshirt Returns, Releases New…

The Boombox

YouTube.com Ironically, Earl Sweatshirt was one of the most visible members…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

6 Comments

Filter by:
Richard DeMott

Relax People, What is Jay going to do with his father's casket is completely up to him. The Big Bopper has been reburied in a nice casket and is in a nicer part of the cemetery with his wife. I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jay Richardson, and found him to be a personable, friendly gentleman and not the creep that everybody is painting him. The last thing Jay needs is a bunch of snide and ignorantly rude posts from a bunch of jerks. Come on people show a little bit of civility. Who knows, I may be the creep that gets the coffin.

April 13 2011 at 9:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul

Sounds like something Michael Jackson might have purchased!

October 25 2010 at 9:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
joy jernigan

how utterly disrespectful. The only thing i can think of that would be worse than selling your fathers coffin is what kind of creep would actually buy it.

June 01 2010 at 6:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
janie

Jay,
Must be very moving for you.
Janie

February 02 2010 at 6:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Carlton W.Burgess

Maybe he should keep it for his own demise.!!!

May 06 2009 at 12:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
toploader742

help me understand

January 30 2009 at 10:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply