RIP Johnny Preston


US singer Johnny Preston known for hits in the early 60's like Running Bear, Cradle Of Love, Charming Billy, Feel So Fine etc passed away on Friday March 4th aged 71 from heart failure and had bypass surgery last year which had ongoing problems since. He was born in Port Arthur Texas on August 18th 1939 and while he was at high school formed an group called the Shades. They were performing at an local club by JP Richardson aka "The Big Bopper" and he offered Johnny Preston to record the Song "Running bear" which he had written and it was @ Gold Star Studios in Houston, Texas with the Big Bopper,record producer Bill hall and country singer George Jones doing the Indian chants. the song was released in August 1959 on the Mercury label 6 months after the Big Bopper's death in the plane crash with Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly and it was number 1 in the USA,UK and Australia. Preston had hits like "Cradle of Love, Charming Billy, Feel So Fine, leave My Kitten Alone,Free me, I'm Starting to GO Steady and many others. He appeared on American bandstand, The Milt Grant Show, The Buddy Deane show etc and toured the world including Australia 3 times. His first Australia trip was in March 1960 as of the Super show promoted by lee Gordon which on the bill were Jerry lee Lewis, Mark Dinning, Chan Romero,Jimmy Clanton, Rod Lauren, Jack Scott, Johnny and the Hurricanes, Freddy Cannon, Dick Caruso,Tommy Sands, Marv Johnson,Col Joye, Johnny O'Keefe and the Delltones, 2nd tour was in 2006 including Wintersun and 3 was in 2007 also including Wintersun. I am very fortuanate that i got to see Johnny Preston which was at Twin Towns in Coolangatta during Wintersun on Saturday June 3rd 2006 and he was FANTASTIC doing the hits which he was backed up by the All Stars who were the support act on the tour. He had Cd's on sale after the show which I got A CD for myself and another for an lady named Kay Howick who works on community radio in Brisbane on BAY FM 100.3 and got an autograph and a photo with him which was an thrill. it's sad that he has passed away but at least the music will live on and I was very lucky to meet him which I will always treasure.

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