Johnny Preston (born John Preston Courville on August 18, 1939, Port Arthur… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Preston (born John Preston Courville on August 18, 1939, Port Arthur, Texas, USA - died March 4, 2011, Beaumont, Texas) was an American singer. He's best known for his international number one hit in 1960, "Running Bear".
Of Cajun ancestry, Preston sang in high school choral contests throughout the state of Texas. He formed a rock and roll band called 'The Shades', before recording his No. 1 hit single "Running Bear." The song was written in 1958 by J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, who had died the previous year in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.
Preston quickly followed up with a minor hit called "Cradle of Love," and made several other records during the early 1960s that met with modest success.
"Cradle of Love" however, was a big hit in Athens, Greece in the early 60s.
Preston's pioneering contribution to the genre was recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He also performed at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri. In 2009 and 2010, Preston performed with the Lamar State College (LSCPA)Touring Band at Lamar State College- Port Arthur, in his hometown.
Johnny Preston's pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Preston died of heart failure in Beaumont, Texas on March 4, 2011.
Of Cajun ancestry, Preston sang in high school choral contests throughout the state of Texas. He formed a rock and roll band called 'The Shades', before recording his No. 1 hit single "Running Bear." The song was written in 1958 by J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, who had died the previous year in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.
Preston quickly followed up with a minor hit called "Cradle of Love," and made several other records during the early 1960s that met with modest success.
"Cradle of Love" however, was a big hit in Athens, Greece in the early 60s.
Preston's pioneering contribution to the genre was recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He also performed at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri. In 2009 and 2010, Preston performed with the Lamar State College (LSCPA)Touring Band at Lamar State College- Port Arthur, in his hometown.
Johnny Preston's pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Preston died of heart failure in Beaumont, Texas on March 4, 2011.
Broken Hearts Anonymous
Johnny Preston Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Johnny Preston:
(I Want a) Rock And Roll Guitar Spoken: A ho ho ho It was the night before Christmas and…
A New Baby For Christmas I want a new baby for Christmas One with long pretty…
Charming Billy Can you really rock and roll Billy Boy, Billy Boy Can…
City of Tears The streets are empty The lights are dim I'm alone You're wi…
Cradle Of Love Well, rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop When the wind blows th…
Danny Boy Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen…
Earth Angel Earth Angel, Earth Angel Will You Be Mine? My Darling Dear,…
Feel Feel so fine, a little girl now you're mine Come a…
Hearts of Stone Hearts made of stone will never brake 'Cause your love is…
I Want a Rock & Roll Guitar SPOKEN:A ho ho ho......It was the night before Christmas and…
I Want A Rock 'n Roll Guitar Spoken: A ho ho ho It was the night before Christmas and…
I Want A Rock and Roll Guitar Spoken: A ho ho ho It was the night before Christmas and…
I Want A Rock N Roll Guitar Spoken: A ho ho ho It was the night before Christmas and…
I Want A Rock' N' Roll Guitar A ho, ho, ho It was the night before Christmas and…
I Want a Rock'N'Roll Guitar Spoken: A ho ho ho It was the night before Christmas and…
Leave My Kitten Alone You better leave my kitten all alone, You better leave my…
New Baby for Christmas I want a new baby for Christmas One with long pretty…
Rock and Roll Guitar Spoken: A ho ho ho It was the night before Christmas and…
Runnin On the banks of the river stood runnin' bear, young…
You When you walk through a storm hold your head up…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Colin Purssey
Since rediscovering this recording on youtube, I keep revisiting it. Is this not perhaps the most underrated ballad ever , at least of it's genre. Simply sublime !!
barrygioportmorien1
I couldn't have put it better, a superb talent, such a fantastic song....I don't think Johnny ever got his real due, some wonderful songs by this man...
steve dion
My oh my, does this song bring a flood of memories! Tremendous vocals and a great, great song!! So sorry to hear of Johnny's passing in 2011!
Kurt Legov
This is a brilliant song! Thanks for posting it with photos of another great legend: Narvel Felts!!
Colin Purssey
Brilliant songwriting and a superb rendering by Johnny. In an earlier era when good music prevailed, this song would have charted highly.
barrygioportmorien1
You are so right.
Noralyn goffin
its taken me 2 years to find the artist to this song because spotify listed it as always blue with unknown artist, eventually found it on my 5000 songs on my ipod, ha ha fab song