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Johnny Preston, 'Running Bear' Singer, Dead at 71

Posted on Mar 7th 2011 11:40AM by Brian Voerding

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Johnny Preston, the singer best known for his peculiar yet internationally popular single 'Running Bear,' died March 4 in Beaumont, Texas. Preston, who was 71, passed away from persistent problems related to a heart bypass surgery he had last year, according to television station KFDM.

Preston was born Johnny Preston Courville in Port Arthur, Texas in 1939 and lived there most of his life. His first foray into performing was as a college student at Lamar University, where he played with a band called the Shades. During a show at a local nightclub, he caught the attention of DJ and producer J.P. Richardson, better known as the Big Bopper.

Richardson announced Preston to Mercury Records in 1958, and wrote and produced a number of singles for him before Richardson died in the infamous plane crash in February 1959 that also took the life of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.

One of those singles, 'Running Bear,' came out later that year. The lyrics told the classic Romeo and Juliet story of unrequited love, between Running Bear, a "young Indian brave," and the "Indian maid" Little White Dove. During the teenage tragedy, Richardson, along with country singer George Jones, shouted war cries and chants in the background. The single's content, which may sound outrageous today, mirrored much of the cultural attitudes toward Native Americans at the time and generated little controversy.

The song was tremendously popular, charting in the top position of Billboard's Top 100 for three straight weeks in January 1960. It also topped charts in England and was released in several countries. It was covered frequently in the ensuing years, most notably by Led Zeppelin, who often performed it live during tours in the 1970s.

Preston followed with a few more hits, including 'Feel So Fine' and 'Cradle of Love' in 1960 and a cover of 'Leave My Kitten Alone' the following year. He was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and continued to perform as late as 2009, when he played a show in his hometown.

"He was my best friend in the world," his son, Scott Preston, told KFDM. "We were just friends. He was a great family man. He was the moral compass for the whole bunch of us. His persona was always pretty cool. That was him in real life, too. He never got rattled."

Peterson is survived by his wife, Sharon, four children and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Johnny Preston's 'Running Bear'

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flyfaa

My husbands favorite song was "Running Bear". He just passed away 9 days ago. We are having his Memorial Service this coming Saturday (Feb.16,2013). It will be the last song played for him at his memorial.. Rest in peace my sweet RUNNING BEAR from your darling WHITE DOVE.

February 11 2013 at 11:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dave wadley

only met johnny once at a butlins weekender in 91,what a lovely man,really charming!signed autographs and just chatted for ages,johnny preston you will be greatly missed.

April 06 2011 at 6:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

sondra irwin stark

Thanks for the music and all of the great memories!!Rest in Peace!

March 08 2011 at 8:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

we\'re at war folks

can't imagine taking this song seriously - it belongs in a bugs bunny cartoon - humpa hoopa hoopa humpa - give me a break - what a dumbass song and such a silly little lovee dovee story - little girls might like - there ya' go .

March 08 2011 at 5:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Carol

What a great song. This song came out in my early marriage. We had 3 children in the 60s and we would all sing on our car trips. This was one of our favorites. We still sing as well as our grandchildren now and they all know all the words to Running Bear. God Speed Johnny.

March 07 2011 at 11:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Lori

in addition to getting his name wrong, the author said the song told the classic Romeo and Juliet story of unrequited love. Romeo and Juliet is not a story of unrequited love. Unrequited love is when one person loves another who does not love them back, not when two people's families are trying to keep them apart. duh.

March 07 2011 at 11:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Clifford Doyle

Condolence to Johnny's Family. His works will live on. I never knew Big Bopper and George Jones did the background work. Johnny being from Port Arthur and George from around Vidor it makes a lot of sense, great performers, good old southern boys'. My brother lived in Vidor and worked at Texaco in Port Arthur. Love you from Acton, California.

March 07 2011 at 11:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

willowowl22

I'm sorry for his family and the country music world. He was something special. He will be missed by all!

March 07 2011 at 11:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Raven

John was simply the kindest man I had the pleasure of being friends with, and without any hint of hesitation, among the greatest singers to ever grace the stage. I not only had the priviledge, but the pleasure of traveling both the US and UK with this man, and I will miss him 'til the sun goes black.

March 07 2011 at 10:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

R.MCKENZIE

IT WAS AND IS A GREAT SONG, BUT...DO THE "NATIVE AMERICAN'S" HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SONG? YOU CAN'T HAVE BASEBALL TEAMS WITH AN INDIAN NAME BECAUSE THEY GET UPSET.ANYWAY....I LOVE THIS SONG AND THE PICTURES ON THIS VIDEO WERE BEAUTIFUL. LET HEAR FROM SOME OF YOU NATIVE AMERICANS AND TELL US IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SONG?

March 07 2011 at 10:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply