Johnny
Preston
Johnny
Preston has an impressive place in the history of rock n' roll
music. His hits include the chart topping "Running Bear",
"Cradle of Love", "Feel so Fine" and "Leave
My Kitten Alone." The Port Arthur, Texas native was discovered
by J.P. Richardson, who was known as "The Big Bopper".
Even though
THE BIG BOPPER ("Chantilly Lace") never had a number
one record himself, one that he wrote did go all the way to the
top of the charts for Johnny Preston; of course, that song was
"Running Bear."
In 1958, Johnny
Preston was working with a group called "The Shades"
in a club in Beaumont, Texas. One night he was visited by The
Big Bopper and a record producer named Bill Hall. They were impressed
with Preston and asked him if he wanted to cut a session for Mercury
Records.
One Sunday
morning Johnny drove to a recording studio in Houston where he
was met by The Big Bopper, Bill Hall and George Jones. The Big
Bopper played a demo of "Running Bear", a song partly
inspired by a Dove soap commercial on TV. Johnny wasn't too impressed
with the song because it was nothing like the songs he performed
in clubs. However, The Bopper assured Johnny that the song had
hit potential.
So Johnny
Preston recorded ARunning Bear@, with the Indian chant in the
background sung by The Big Bopper, Bill Hall, George Jones and
Pappy Daily.
Mercury Records
was about to release the record when the world was shocked by
the deaths of The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens in
a plane crash. Mercury decided to hold back on the release of
the single until months later. It finally hit the charts in October
1959, but quickly dropped off the Hot 100. It re-entered in November
and shot all the way to number one, where it stayed for three
weeks.
Johnny Preston
is still singing and rock n' rolling all over the world, and as
good as ever.
|
