Born John Courville in Texas in 1939, he was of Cajun ancestry, and started singing at an early age, forming a rock ‘n’ roll band in his teens called The Shades, who were seen by local DJ J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper. Richardson offered Johnny the chance to record a teenage tragedy song he had written called “Running Bear” – the ‘Indian’ sounds on the record were performed by Richardson and country singer George Jones. The record went to No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic after Richardson was killed in the same plane crash as Buddy Holly. Preston had another top 10 hit and a few more hits through to 1961 as well as recording two albums.
This 40-track 2-CD set comprises all his A & B sides on Mercury, and all the tracks from his albums from these years “Running Bear” and “Come Rock With Me” not otherwise released on singles. It features his US and UK No. 1 “Running Bear” and his Top 20 hits “Cradle Of Love” and “Feel So Fine” plus his other career hits “I’m Starting to Go Steady”, “Charming Billy”, “Leave My Kitten Alone” and “Free Me”.
It’s as substantial an overview as can be achieved from this key era of his career, and a worthy showcase of his particular brand of pop/rock.
Tracks
CD 1
1. RUNNING BEAR Johnny Preston (Mercury 71474) 1960
2. MY HEART KNOWS Johnny Preston (Mercury 71474) 1960
3. CRADLE OF LOVE Johnny Preston (Mercury 71598) 1960
4. CITY OF TEARS Johnny Preston (Mercury 71598) 1960
5. FEEL SO FINE Johnny Preston (Mercury 71651) 1960
6. I'M STARTING TO GO STEADY Johnny Preston (Mercury 71651) 1960
7. CHARMING BILLY Johnny Preston (Mercury 71691) 1960
8. UP IN THE AIR Johnny Preston (Mercury 71691) 1960
9. NEW BABY FOR CHRISTMAS Johnny Preston (Mercury 71728) 1960
10. (I WANT A) ROCK AND ROLL GUITAR Johnny Preston (Mercury 71728) 1960
11. LEAVE MY KITTEN ALONE Johnny Preston (Mercury 71761) 1961
12. TOKEN OF LOVE Johnny Preston (Mercury 71761) 1961
13. I FEEL GOOD Johnny Preston (Mercury 71803) 1961
14. WILLY WALK Johnny Preston (Mercury 71803) 1961
15. LET THEM TALK Johnny Preston (Mercury 71865) 1961
16. SHE ONCE BELONGED TO ME Johnny Preston (Mercury 71865) 1961
17. FREE ME Johnny Preston (Mercury 71908) 1961
18. KISSIN' TREE Johnny Preston (Mercury 71908) 1961
19. LET'S LEAVE IT THAT WAY Johnny Preston (Mercury 71951) 1962
20. BROKEN HEARTS ANONYMOUS Johnny Preston (Mercury 71951) 1962
CD 2
1. THE DAY AFTER FOREVER Johnny Preston (Mercury 72049) 1962
2. LET THE BIG BOSS MAN (PULL YOU THROUGH) Johnny Preston (Mercury 72049) 1962
3. WHAT AM I LIVING FOR Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
4. EARTH ANGEL Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
5. GUARDIAN ANGEL Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
6. HEARTS OF STONE Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
7. CHIEF HEARTBREAK Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
8. THE TWIST Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
9. YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
10. PRETEND Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
11. DANNY BOY Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
12. DREAM Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
13. MADRE DE DIOS (MOTHER OF GOD) Johnny Preston (From the album "Running Bear" Mercury MG20592, SR60250) 1960
14. JUST LITTLE BOY BLUE Johnny Preston (From the album "Come Rock With Me" Mercury MG20609, SR60609) 1960
15. THAT'S ALL I WANT Johnny Preston (From the album "Come Rock With Me" Mercury MG20609, SR60609) 1960
16. THE ANGELS GAVE YOU TO ME Johnny Preston (From the album "Come Rock With Me" Mercury MG20609, SR60609) 1960
17. SITTING HERE CRYING Johnny Preston (From the album "Come Rock With Me" Mercury MG20609, SR60609) 1960
18. DO WHAT YOU DID Johnny Preston (From the album "Come Rock With Me" Mercury MG20609, SR60609) 1960
19. PLEASE BELIEVE ME Johnny Preston (From the album "Come Rock With Me" Mercury MG20609, SR60609) 1960
20. MY IMAGINATION Johnny Preston (From the album "Come Rock With Me" Mercury MG20609, SR60609) 1960
