On Ron’s Golden Oldies this week…

This week is all about birthday boy “Running Bear” Johnny Preston on the program this Thursday.

Streaming Live on Northside Radio FM99.3 Sydney’s leading Community Radio Station.

John Preston Courville, known professionally as Johnny Preston (August 18, 1939 – March 4, 2011), was an American rock and roll singer, best known for his international number one hit in 1960, “Running Bear”. Johnny sang in high school choral contests throughout the state of Texas. He formed a rock and roll band called the Shades, who were seen performing at a local club by J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, who offered Preston the chance to record a teenage tragedy song he had written, “Running Bear”, which they did in Houston, Texas, in 1958. The record was released after the Big Bopper’s death in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. Preston quickly followed up with another hit called “Cradle of Love,” and made several other records during the early 1960s that met with modest success. On the Australian charts Johnny had 3 hits, with Running Bear reaching No.1 in Jan 1960 Preston’s pioneering contribution to the genre was recognised by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He also performed at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre in Branson, Missouri. He died of heart failure in Beaumont, Texas, on March 4, 2011, at the age of 71, after years of heart related illnesses.

Ron will play many of Preston’s hits during the show, along with many more of the early pioneers.

Tune in this Thursday, noon to 4pm right here on Northside Radio

Text your jukebox requests to Ron on 0418 246812

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