Gershon Wolf Poet Clerihew

The Big Bopper

Known as 'The Big Bopper'
He preceded the Big Mac, but not the Whopper
His real name was J.P. Richardson
His songs a barrel of monkeys, full of fun

We all know J.P. liked 'Chantilly Lace'
Just wild for her ponytailed pretty face --
   When he called her on the phone
   All he did was moan and groan --
Seems 'Miss Lace' put 'The Bopper' in his place...

Then in Clear Lake Iowa, 1959, on February 3
An airplane crash took the Bopper's life tragically

That was the day America's music died
~ Immortalized in Don McClean's 'American Pie'



              September 04 2019
Clerimerick Couplets (Hybrid Form) Poetry Contest
              Sponsor: Mark Toney

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Jeanne Mcgee September 28, 2019 at 11:23 PM On of the great sung stories. Congrats on your win with this great write. Gershon Wolf September 29, 2019 at 1:04 PM Thanks for noticing my placement in the contest, Jeanne. Here's to Chantilly Lace! Cheers, Gershon

Andrea Dietrich September 28, 2019 at 6:38 PM I know this tragic tale so well. And to think it happened in my home state. Thanks for remembering the big bopper. Most think of Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly! I loved his Chantilly lace song. Congrats on your win. You did marvelously Gershon Wolf September 28, 2019 at 9:59 PM You're right. We often forget that the Big Bopper was on that ill-fated plane too. Thanks, Andrea. Cheers, Gershon

Mark Toney September 28, 2019 at 6:01 PM Gershon, this is flat out fun and brilliant! I love that you rhymed "Bib Bopper" with "the Whopper" :) The final couplets are sobering, but hey, that's what happened, yeah? Congratulations on your win! ~Mark Gershon Wolf September 28, 2019 at 9:58 PM Thanks, Mark. And thank YOU for sponsoring such a fun, challenging contest. Appreciated. Cheers, Gershon

Jan Allison September 4, 2019 at 6:02 PM what a lovely tribute GW:-) Went to see 'Buddy' in London it was an awesome performance and your poem brought back many memories:-) hugs Jan xx Gershon Wolf September 4, 2019 at 6:30 PM Now, c'mon Jan. You're not old enough to have seen Buddy Holly perform live (!) in London. Impossible! :) gw

Chris Green September 4, 2019 at 5:27 PM Along with Buddy Holly and Richie Valens I believe. Really cool my friend. That was a sad day in the world of music. Gershon Wolf September 4, 2019 at 6:29 PM You are 100% correct. Those three greats all died in the crash. A sad day, indeed. ~ gw