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.
Just Little Boy Blue
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
Johnny's instinct for choosing great songs to record is just about faultless. He's recorded a vast amount of material and , for me at least , have yet to hear one I really dislike. Sure, there are a very few that are mediocre , but overwhelmingly , they're by and large very good to superb ! Had the privilege to meet him when he toured Australia some 15 or so years ago. Autographed my original Mercury copy of "Feel So Fine". Thanks for putting so much of Johnny's artistry on youtube.
barrygioportmorien1
Yeah Colin, I can agree with you completely, I got to see him here in Ontario Canada in the late 80's and had a quick chat with him.I don't know how anybody could not like a quality singer such as Johnny. He was as all the great ones are, unique...
Colin Purssey
Thanks Barry, yeah, even the B sides of his hit singles , such as "City Of Tears" and "My Heart Knows" were, in my opinion, as good as the A sides.
Hostile123
Johnny went to my church in Port Arthur, Tx. since i was born, and im now 16. Sat in the pew in front of me. He was a very nice guy and always led the songs!Miss you man and im watching over your grandkids! See you again at the golden gates someday.
David Chernofsky
just a great rockin song never heard before
tukoramerez
exellent !!
bellgardens53
At 0:41, the man in the middle must be Big Boppers son. Am I right or am I right? And why he is here must be because that Big Bopper penned "Running Bear". Don't know about this one though....and yea your heart won't race here... ;O)
Ebony .Bunny
No. The Big Bopper was killed in the plane crash with Buddy Holly in 1959, long before that picture was taken.. It might be the Big Bopper's son, I do not know, but it is not the Big Bopper.