Skip to Main Content

Beaumont, Texas: Grave of The Big Bopper

One-hit wonder J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson gained immortality by dying in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly.

Forest Lawn Memorial Park

Address:
4955 Pine St., Beaumont, TX
Directions:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Enter cemetery at the intersection of Lucas Drive and Pine St., then quickly make the first right. Follow that road, then make the third left. Follow that road straight to a dead-end turnaround. The Big Bopper's grave is to the right, just before the dead end. Look for the large historical marker.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Grave of The Big Bopper

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Big Bopper grave.

Grave of The Big Bopper

28-year-old musical artist J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson was at the peak of his fame when the plane he was traveling aboard crashed in Clear Lake, Iowa, on February 3, 1959. The singer was killed instantly, along with fellow stars Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. The Big Bopper was laid to rest in his hometown of Beaumont, where a historical marker educates visitors about his life and The Day the Music Died.

[Kurt Deion / kurtshistoricsites.com, 03/21/2019]

Not mentioned -- although there's certainly room enough on the lengthy historical marker -- is that The Big Bopper was buried in a different part of the cemetery until 2007, when he was dug up and reburied here, in a nicer casket. The original casket was placed on display in the Texas Musicians Museum, which has since closed.


Nearby Offbeat Places

World's Largest Working Fire HydrantWorld's Largest Working Fire Hydrant, Beaumont, TX - 3 mi.
Edison MuseumEdison Museum, Beaumont, TX - 3 mi.
Edison's Time Portal DeviceEdison's Time Portal Device, Beaumont, TX - 3 mi.
In the region:
Gator Country, Home of Big Al and Big Tex, Fannett, TX - 17 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Texas Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings