Johnny Preston

RUNNING BEAR 2006 AUSTRALIA

Johnny Preston first came to Australia for the Lee Gordon “Big Show” in March of 1960, with such artists as Tommy Sands, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chan Romero, Marv Johnson, Mark Dinning, Jack Scott, Johnny and the Hurricanes, Freddy Cannon, Dick Caruso and Australia’s King of Rock and Roll Johnny O’Keefe.

For his first Australian tour since that time, Johnny Preston was supported by arguably Australia’s most professional 50’s rock and roll band THE ALLSTARS. For the Sydney leg of the tour Lucky “I’ve been Everywhere” Starr was added to the show.

Johnny Preston was booked for shows in Melbourne, Queensland (where he was the featured artist on the Wintersun Ball) and in New South Wales.

I went to see his show on the last night of his tour at the Rooty Hill RSL club where my wife Christine and I were “Special Guests” of the promoter and Johnny Preston himself.

Christine and I had been looking forward to this show for sometime and the long trip from Young was not to be a concern.

Invited to have a chat with Johnny Preston before the show was a big thrill for me. I had sent a list of questions to the promoter many weeks prior to him coming to Australia to make sure that they were the correct things to ask and that all would be ok for such a meeting. I should not have worried. From the time Ian Allen introduced me to Johnny Preston all my fears were gone.

Here was a guy that has had tremendous success all around the world treating Christine and I like he had known us all his life. It was right there and then that I decided that I did not need to tape an interview as all the answers Johnny gave me would be remembered forever.

I was a little amazed that he said that his first group “The Shades” never had any material put to tape for history let along for their own personal collection. His first recordings were what the Big Bopper had wanted him to record.

The most important thing for me to hear from Johnny was his liking for the Rhythm and Blues artists of that era. He as a young fellow really liked listening to all the R&B artists of the day and has a great memory to recall all the artists, groups and the songs they recorded as we chatted.

We discussed how his “Running Bear” became a big hit when all the DJ’s thought after a few weeks in the charts (and on the way down) that it was a bomb, and then all of a sudden, the Jukebox operators bought copies for their machines and the song raced way back up the charts and became the big hit of 1960. We also discussed the demise of the JUKEBOX and the big way it helped artists get their songs out to the public, besides the radio stations.

Continued success with songs like “Cradle of Love”, “Feel so Fine”, “Charming Billy”, “Hearts of Stone” and the continued sales of his extended play and long play albums made the early 60’s a very busy period.

Johnny toured all around the world in 1960, and looking at his concert tours, made one wonder where he had time to do recordings and keep the new songs coming out at a steady rate.

He was very supportive in our discussions about his late manager from those early days and said he was a true gentleman in all aspects, which was very unusual to hear. Most often the managers were not spoken of in such glowing terms. It was refreshing to hear Johnny talk about the late Mr W Hall with such honesty.

We had a nice talk about the “Big Bopper” and what we thought he would be doing if he were still with us to this very day! Johnny thought he would still be writing songs and I think he would probably be correct. I only wish he (The Bopper) had come to Australia, but that was not to be. I think he would have been sensational on stage, not only as a singer but also as an Emcee of all the rock and roll shows of the day!

I asked Johnny if he had seen Elvis in the early stages of his career, and he said, “YES” and related the story about what Colonel Tom Parker had said once in his company. “Sometime back I had a chance to become the manager of two fine young singers in their own right. But I had to make a choice, as I only wanted to manage one artist”. The two artists that he had to select from were “Tommy Sands” and “Elvis Presley”.

For some reason my mind told me to choose “Elvis Presley”, and look where we are today. Johnny said the “Colonel” was a real “wheeler and dealer” from way back, but his entire efforts were to make Elvis the biggest star he could and he did that in no small way. We left it at that, as we both knew the score the way the Colonel operated especially in regards the holy dollar(s)

The I asked him if he ever met “Buddy Holly”, and he said no, that was not to be, even though he was a good mate of the “Big Bopper” a meeting never eventuated.

We discussed many of the big names from that era and that he had toured with over the years, and what happened when “The Beatles” came to the states and his answer was “That was the end for all of us”, and it was the end for a very long time. They were great artists, but nearly every singer in the states was affected one way or the other by “The Beatles Invasion”. The majority of us never, ever recovered. Johnny went into selling Real Estate, as well as continuing his singing.

It was until the early 80’s that a resurgence in 50’s music finally got Johnny back on the road, touring all around the world again, like this visit to Australia after some 46 years.

But the most important thing to me we discussed was the “Bootleg” material that is coming out around the world for each and every artist. I mentioned international bootleg cds that were commonly available (and even showed him a few) and he was very concerned and rightly so. These bootlegs deprive all the artists of their royalties, but it was a big problem trying to solve this situation. He even bought a copy for himself when touring Europe some year’s back, but got no help from the seller, as to who was behind the issue. Isn’t that always the case!

In Johnny’s case it was even harder to talk about, as he owns all his music, and he mentioned on one hand the number of record company’s whom had been given permission to release his material on a legitimate cd.

Before my time ended, I asked if he would sign a couple of Australian items for me and then I showed him the “Running Bear 65” vinyl record released on local W&G label. He had not know that this was reissued with a different “B” side which was one of his favourite songs from that era. The song was “Dedicated to the one I Love”. This song was on the song listing for the show that evening.

By this time, Johnny was required to do a sound check. He was so nice and polite to Christine and I; it was a great moment to reflect on in years to come.

Christine and I stayed for the sound check and then, were totally surprised when Ian and Johnny asked if we would like to come to dinner with all the guys.

At this time I caught up with band members Mick Hamilton and Graham Bloomfield once again. These were the guys that we had for our rock and roll shows in Canberra in the 80’s when I was President of the ACT Rock and Roll Club. We had a great time together as we had become real good friends through the best music of the 50’s, and that was “Rock and Roll”.

Christine and I had never been to the Rooty Hill RSL, and the PR lady made us very welcome I have never seen so many poker machines on one floor in all my life. (I have not been to Vegas).

But to the show.

The ALLSTARS opened up the show to a capacity audience with Lucky Starr singing the opening song and then introducing all the members of the ALLSTARS to the audience.

Then each member of the ALLSTARS did a tune. They covered the songs, “Baby that was rock and Roll”, “Hey Baby”, “Hard Times”, “Will you love me Tomorrow” and “Be my Guest” which were a very nice selection of rock and roll songs that had the audience showing their appreciation of why this band has earnt the title of “Australia’s most authentic 50’s Rock and Roll Band”. The band members were as follows, Noel Tresider - keyboards and vocals, Len McGill – drums and vocals, Mick Hamilton - lead guitar and vocals, Graham Bloomfield – sax, and Ian B Allen – bass and vocals.

Lucky then rejoined the show to rock his way through some really enjoyable songs and continue the atmosphere created by the ALLSTARS.

Lucky sang songs like, “Sway”, “ABC Boogie”, “White Sport Coat”, “Runaround Sue”, “The Great Pretender”, “My Prayer”, “Ghost Riders in the Sky”, “From a Jack to a King”, “Its Now or Never”, and closed with “I’ve been Everywhere”.

People were still amazed that he could rattle those towns off without missing a beat, after all this time. Me, I was struggling to get a couple of towns names out, when he had finished his part of the show. He was warmly received by the very large crowd in attendance, and took the opportunity to do an additional encore. That was Lucky Starr.

Johnny Preston walked on stage to a very warm reception, and went straight into his song “I Feel Good” which had a very nice sax solo included. This song was originally recorded in early 1961.
This first song set the scene for a very pleasant evening of great music from the 50’s and early 60’s.

A cover version of Otis Williams and the Charms “Hearts of Stone” followed with Graham Bloomfield doing a superb sax solo. This song could not have been selected at a better time in the show to sing. The audience really like his version.

Then two beautiful songs followed “Free Me” a song that was written by one of my favourite black artists Jimmy Breedlove who was an original member of that great R&B group “The Cues”. His RCA Camden album has always been in my collection and this was a well-written song that suited Johnny perfectly.

Johnny spoke a little about his mate Johnny Burnett, before doing a nice version of “Dreamin” which has always been a favourite of Australian fans. I remember getting requests to play this on Canberra radio during the 80’s.

Then came a classic rock and roll song “Sweet Little Sixteen”, performed in a key that suited Johnny’s voice perfectly. The Allstars backing on this song gave it a great deal of beat and the crowd really enjoyed the song to the fullest. These musicians seem to “GEL” so easily it was evident for all to see that they were really enjoying the music they we playing for the capacity house.

Then after a little banter with the audience Johnny did a song that went down really well titled “Leave My Kitten Alone”, and who learnt to sing the “Mows” in the backdrop should keep doing it for a living! A number of people could not remember the song, but plenty of others did and got into the swing of things with quiet “Backing Vocals” around the auditorium.

The Johnny Mercer written song “Dream”, a nice slow ballad that was warmly greeted by all, followed this. Then Johnny spoke about the next song for a few seconds, stating that he had never performed it live on stage until he was asked to do so by the musical director of the show. The more he sang it the more he become to liking it. The song was “Just a Little Boy Blue”. I have always liked the song and could not understand why it had not been a bigger hit like other songs Johnny had success with over the years. On the radio rock and roll show I did for years with other friends this song was always requested. Johnny could not believe that as it was never requested stateside. The musical director’s choice was spot on as the crowd gave great applause as the song was coming to and ending. They enjoyed it, like I did. Ol’ Graham starred again with another nice sax solo during the song.

Johnny then went into his version of “Danny Boy”, which the audience liked, then spoke about another friend Lloyd Price and performed a superb version of his song “Stagger Lee”. The band once again “Gelled” with Johnny to have the audience really showing their appreciation for a song done in a very professional and authentic manner. Each musician did their job perfectly and the song plus the voice of a very seasoned performer came out in superb style. This was one artist that I missed talking to Johnny about, but I will remember that for the next time we meet.

Then onto his version of “You’ll never walk Alone” which I really enjoyed. Johnny told how it was a “miss” for him and a hit for “Gerry and the Pacemakers”, another of those English groups.

At the show the night before a lady came up to Johnny and mentioned that the next song Johnny was about to sing was released on the “B” side of his Australian W&G vinyl release “Running Bear 65”. The song was titled “Dedicated to the one I Love”. He asked from the stage if that lady was present tonight and a nice “Yes” came from the audience floor, so this version was for her. Johnny also stated that this was one of his favourite songs from that era. He did a very nice version of the big hit for “The Shirelles”.

Then the classics came rolling out, one after each other, starting with “Charming Billy” which also had a very nice sax solo included and the crowd really enjoyed this song. This song charted in Melbourne in November 1960, went to number 17, and stayed in the charts for 8 weeks.

“Feel So Fine” followed immediately after and the band was getting into the groove once again supporting Johnny to the maximum. This song charted in both Sydney and Melbourne. In Sydney it went to number 10 in late July 1960 and stayed for 10 weeks. In Melbourne it went to number 17 in July 1960 and stayed in the charts for 8 weeks.

Johnny described “Cradle of Love” in the introduction as the most perfect song he recorded during his long career. The crowd really enjoyed this great song and the band was once again in full swing. They were really enjoying playing for this superb artist. This song also entered the Sydney and Melbourne charts. In April 1960 it went to number 8 and stayed a total of 12 weeks in the Sydney charts. During the same month in Melbourne it entered the charts and climbed to number 5 during an 8-week stay.

Then we all thought came the final song, when the chants to “Running Bear” came through the speakers. What a crowd pleaser this song has been over the years. I remember the song being played by nearly very radio station in Tasmania for weeks on end with no let up. The crowd started to warm up as the more Johnny sang. For years in Australia “IN THE RAW” was the what the crowd sand as their part during the song, and this evening was no different. I wonder what Johnny thought when he heard those words come from the audience as he and the band really rocked the song along. This song raced into the charts and became number 1 in Sydney on the 8th of January 1960 (a great singer had a birthday on that day if I remember correctly) and stayed for a total of 18 weeks. In Melbourne it entered the charts in December 1959, went to number 2 and stayed for a period of 18 weeks also.

Most thought the show was over when Johnny, turned to the audience after wiping his forehead with his large(st) Texas hanky, and then spoke about his friend the “Big Bopper” and paid him the ultimate compliment for getting his career to where it was today. He sang a fantastic version of “Chantilly Lace” in tribute and the crowd applauded accordingly.

He was not finished as they say, and so did “Running Bear” again, spoke through the song and thanked everyone for coming to see him and the ALLSTARS and hoped they enjoyed the show.

After the show a large crowd lined up to have pictures and autographs taken with him and the band.
They talked about his first visit to Australia in 1960 and then a gentleman came up and showed him a picture taken at the Stadium in 1960. Johnny asked to show his wife the picture and then duly autographed it for him. The guys name was Ken Sutcliffe, and I had the pleasure to talk to him for a little while and saw all the other pictures from that show. Jerry Lee Lewis with “NO SHIRT” on, Chan Romero etc etc.

After nearly all the people had left the auditorium, Christine and I thanked Ian and especially Johnny( he signed me ticket for me) for inviting us to part of a very special evening. We really enjoyed the show and would like to see him appear again in Australia in the near future.

It is not often that one gets the chance to meet and talk to a person, that takes each day as it comes, has no “tickets” on himself and treats all people in a most friendly, polite and extremely warm manner. One could learn a lot from being around people like Johnny Preston.