Make an Offer Today and Get a Quick Response! Take a Look at this Week’s Specials! “BIG BOPPER” RICHARDSON – AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH – HFSID 350527. RICHARDSON [THE BIG BOPPER] Scarce photograph of the 1950s Rock’N’ Roller Rare Photograph inscribed and signed: ” To / Reg – / Thanks / for the wonderful / hospitality / Big / Bopper “. B/w, 6¾ x 8½. Publicity photograph by Van Dyck Studio, Beaumont (imprint at lower left edge). Ink lightly beaded (completely legible). Minor surface creases (most not evident head on) at background. Framed, not by the Gallery of History: 15¼x17¾. Not reviewed by us for conservation integrity. Mat has separated from frame, resulting in the photograph not being flush with glass. Frame is scratched and chipped, backing paper is torn at upper portion. His song, “Chantilly Lace”, which he wrote and sang, reached the “Top Ten” in 1958. In January 1959, The Big Bopper was booked on the Winter Dance Party tour that would cover most of the Midwest. The tour included such headliners as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Waylon Jennings and Ritchie Valens. As the bus pulled into Clear Lake, Iowa for their February 2nd performance, Holly made arrangements to charter a plane to fly him and two of his band members to the next gig in Fargo, North Dakota. The Big Bopper and Valens had bad colds and Richardson wanted to fly to Fargo so that he would have time to see a doctor. He asked Waylon Jennings if he would give up his seat and Jennings agreed. Valens asked backup musician and former Cricket Tommy Allsup for his seat, and the two decided to flip a coin to see who would take the plane (Valens called “heads” and won the toss). Allsup later opened a club named The Head’s Up Saloon, a tribute to the coin toss that saved his life. The plane took off from the airport at around 1:00 a. On February 3, 1959. It made it into the dark snowy night but plummeted to the ground about five miles from the airport. There were no survivors. The shock felt throughout the music world at this tragic loss is echoed in Don McLean’s song, “American Pie”, as “the day the music died”. See more material from these signers. See more listings in our MUSIC & PERFORMERS (2,967). Please note that this is an authentically signed item. We do not sell autograph copies or signature reprints. Images shown may contain our company watermark. The actual document does not contain this watermark. This item has been authenticated and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by our parent company, Gallery of History, Inc. We financially stand behind our COA. Ask us about our PSA/DNA and JSA authentication guarantee. Our Third & Best Handbook – The One You Want On Historical Documents! Enhance your collecting experience. For the experienced and novice collector and for those who just love learning history this beautiful 253-page hardcover volume is for you! Take a look at over. Other listings in these categories. Gallery of History is the world’s largest dealer of authentic autographs and manuscripts. Our inventory contains documents in all areas of interest including presidents, royalty, military, aviation, religion, business, science, celebrities, sports, music, authors and more. Whether looking to add to your collection, acquire a unique centerpiece for the home or office, or as a truly one-of-a-kind gift for someone special, you’ll find it here at HistoryForSale. The Gallery of History. Founded in 1981, is a long-standing UACC Registered Dealer, #RD110, and is a long-standing member of the Manuscript Society. The Gallery of History is the largest dealer in the world with an available inventory that exceeds 230,000 rare autographs and manuscripts. Preserving historical documents is important to us. Our unframed items are sent to you either in acid-free archival sleeves or have been encapsulated when noted. The majority of our in-house framed items are also encapsulated in acid free sleeves to guard against organic acids, mounted in an acid-free enviroment and are framed behind glass or UF3-AR Plexiglas which blocks out most ultraviolet light. We warrant to the original purchaser for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the sale the authenticity of any autograph offered by HistoryForSale. Gallery of History is not liable for any other damages, including consequential damages. There are no other warranties of any nature either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.