Stage name of J. P. Richardson (1930–1959) whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star. He tragically died in a plane crash along with fellow musicians Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. Two outstanding items: a DS, signed “J. P. Richardson,” two pages, 6.75 x 13.25, December 11, 1958. An agreement between the Big Bopper Music Company and Ann Matthews, Millie Wright, and J. P. Richardson, transferring the publishing rights to an “unpublished original work…now entitled, ‘Top Gun.’” Signed at the conclusion in ballpoint by Matthews, Wright, and Richardson, and countersigned by William G. Hall of the Big Bopper Music Company; and handwritten lyrics, unsigned, one lined page, 3.25 x 6.5, no date. The Big Bopper pens the lyrics to an apparently unpublished song entitled “Jealousy.” In part (spelling and grammar retained): “The meanest man in the whole wide world / Couldn’t be as mean as me / Cause I broke the heart of the one I loved / On account of Jealousy.” Double-matted and framed together with a photo and nameplate to an overall size of 31 x 22. In overall fine condition. The ‘day the music died’—Big Bopper’s fatal crash—came on February 3, 1959, less than two months after signing this document. It seems that neither ‘Top Gun’ nor ‘Jealousy’ were ever recorded. A poignant reminder of what could have been. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA and a full letter of authenticity from Roger Epperson/REAL. The James Collings Collection.
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