In answer to my own earlier question Wikipedia says that Sonny James had a #1 Hit covering Running Bear in 1969. That would have been about a decade after Preston's hit and after the death of the Big Bopper as well. I certainly remember the song from the late 50's but I did not remember the singer other than James. I'm not too old yet to re-rember what I had long forgotten. :-}
      RIP Johnny Preston!