Johnny O'Keefe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johnny O'Keefe
O'Keefe in December 1969
Background information
Birth name	John Michael O'Keefe
Also known as	J.O.K., The Wild One
Born	(1935-01-19)19 January 1935 Bondi Junction, New South Wales, Australia
Origin	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died	6 October 1978(1978-10-06) (aged 43) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres	Rock and roll
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1953–1978
Labels	Festival, Leedon, Liberty
Associated acts	The Dee Jays

John Michael O'Keefe (born January 19, 1935 – died October 6, 1978) was a famous Australian rock and roll singer. His music career started in the 1950s. Some of his biggest songs include "Wild One" (1958), "Shout!", and "She's My Baby". During his 20-year career, Johnny O'Keefe released over 50 singles and many albums. He was also a popular radio and TV host.

People often called him "J.O.K." or "The Wild One." He was the first Australian rock 'n' roll singer to tour the United States. He was also the first Australian artist to have a song in the local Top 40 music charts. Johnny O'Keefe had 29 songs in the Top 40 in Australia between 1958 and 1973.

Johnny O'Keefe was the younger brother of Barry O'Keefe, who was a well-known judge. Their father, Ray O'Keefe, was the Mayor of Waverley Council in the early 1960s.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Johnny O'Keefe was born in Bondi Junction, Sydney, on January 19, 1935. He was one of three children. He went to Catholic schools in the area.

Johnny grew up with music around him. His parents were both good singers. His mother played the piano very well, and his father sometimes played in a jazz band. Johnny loved listening to the radio.

He first performed on stage when he was only four years old. He played 'Dopey' in a school play called "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Even though he couldn't read the script, he made up his own lines!

Johnny was a smart kid with a great sense of humor. He enjoyed swimming, surfing, and sailing. He also learned to play the trumpet and sang in the school choir.

After finishing high school in 1951, he briefly studied economics. But he soon decided to work in his father's furniture store. His interest in music grew even more after school. He was inspired by American singer Johnnie Ray and started his singing career by copying Ray's style.

Becoming a Star

A big moment for Johnny O'Keefe happened in 1955. He saw the movie Blackboard Jungle and heard Bill Haley sing "Rock Around the Clock." Johnny immediately knew that rock 'n' roll was the music he wanted to make. From that day on, he worked hard to become a rock 'n' roll singer and a star.

By 1960, Johnny O'Keefe was the most popular singer in Australia. He was also a major TV star. He was known for his amazing energy and showmanship on stage.

The Dee Jays: Johnny's Band

In 1956, Johnny O'Keefe and his friend Dave Owen formed Australia's first rock 'n' roll band, the Dee Jays. The band included Kevin Naughton (guitar), Keith Williams (bass), and Johnny Purser (drums). Soon, Lou Casch joined as the guitarist, and Johnny Greenan played the saxophone. This was the band that played with famous artists like Little Richard.

Lou Casch was a very important part of the band's sound. He was a talented jazz musician who learned to play rock 'n' roll guitar very quickly.

The Dee Jays first performed at Stones Cabaret in Coogee. By early 1957, they were playing four dances a week. They also performed at the Embassy Theatre in Manly. Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays quickly became very popular in Sydney.

Johnny O'Keefe was famous for his flashy stage clothes. He wore gold jackets and bright suits with fake fur. He was involved in every part of the band's career. He booked halls, put ads in newspapers, and even helped clean up after shows.

One time, while the band was playing upstairs, a fight broke out downstairs at an "Italian wedding." The fight spilled into the street, and police had to call for help to stop it. Many people believe this event inspired Johnny O'Keefe's famous song, "Wild One." The song is officially credited to Johnny Greenan, O'Keefe, and Dave Owens.

"Wild One" was later recorded by other famous artists like Iggy Pop (as "Real Wild Child") and was even used in the movie Pretty Woman.

Meeting Lee Gordon

Johnny O'Keefe met American rock 'n' roll star Bill Haley during Haley's tour in Australia in 1957. Haley was impressed by Johnny and suggested he record a song. He also recommended Johnny to Festival Records.

When Festival Records didn't act quickly, Johnny took matters into his own hands. He told the local newspapers that he had already signed with Festival. To avoid looking bad, Festival Records quickly auditioned Johnny and signed him.

Johnny's first single, "You Hit The Wrong Note, Billy Goat," was released in 1957. It didn't become a hit.

Johnny became good friends with music promoter Lee Gordon. Their popularity grew when Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays became the main support act for Gordon's "Big Show" concerts at the Sydney Stadium. These concerts were very important for Australian entertainment. They featured top international rock 'n' roll stars like Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Big Success

Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays got their first big break supporting Lee Gordon's "Big Show" tour. This tour featured stars like Little Richard and Eddie Cochran. When Gene Vincent couldn't make it to Australia, Gordon asked Johnny to fill in. This led to more support spots on other big tours, including one with Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis.

The Dee Jays often played as the backing band for many international acts. They were one of the few rock 'n' roll bands in Australia that could read music. They backed artists like Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, and Ricky Nelson. Their energy and Johnny's wild performances often made them more exciting than the visiting stars.

Their first EP, Shakin' At The Stadium, included "Wild One." This song became his first hit in March 1958, reaching No. 20 in Sydney. Even though it sounded like it was recorded live, it was actually a studio recording with crowd sounds added later.

Johnny O'Keefe married Marianne Renate Willimzik in August 1958. They had three children.

In 1959, Johnny toured New Zealand. He became very popular there, even though some places banned his shows. He also had trouble getting his music played on the radio.

Trying to Make it in the U.S.

Johnny O'Keefe recorded "She's My Baby" in Los Angeles in October 1959. He wanted to become famous in America. His friend Lee Gordon didn't think it was a good idea, but Johnny was determined. He met with record executives at Liberty Records.

In February 1960, Johnny went back to the U.S. for a promotional tour. He was called "The Boomerang Boy."

Car Accident

In June 1960, Johnny O'Keefe was in a very serious car accident. He was driving back to Sydney from the Gold Coast with Johnny Greenan and Greenan's wife. Their car crashed into a gravel truck. All three were badly hurt. Johnny O'Keefe's face was injured, and he lost four teeth. He was flown back to Sydney for treatment.

Later Career and Challenges

Even after the accident, Johnny continued to record music. He had another No. 1 hit in August 1960 with "Don't You Know"/"Come on And Take My Hand."

In January 1961, Johnny tried another tour of the United States, but it wasn't successful. He was going through a very difficult time.

His hit songs in Australia kept coming. "I'm Counting on You" became his second No. 1 hit in August 1961. "Sing (And Tell The Blues So Long)" was his third No. 1 hit in March 1962.

Johnny O'Keefe's TV show, Six O'Clock Rock, ended in 1961. He then moved to ATN-7 to host the Johnny O'Keefe Show. The show was very popular, but it added a lot of pressure to his life.

He scored his fourth Australian No. 1 hit with "Move Baby Move" in July 1963. He also had hits with "Shake Baby Shake" and "Twist It Up."

Around this time, Johnny O'Keefe stopped working with his backing group, the Dee Jays. He spent more and more time on TV. The Dee Jays continued to perform until 1980.

Changes in Music

By late 1963, a new music style called Merseybeat became popular, led by bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. This new music changed the pop scene.

Johnny O'Keefe found it hard to accept these changes. He even banned "long-haired" bands from appearing on his TV show. He later said this was a very tough time in his career.

Another sad event was the sudden death of his friend and partner, Lee Gordon, in November 1963.

Johnny's last big hit of the 1960s was "She Wears My Ring" in April 1964, which reached No. 2. But after that, his popularity continued to decline, and his record sales dropped. His TV show, Sing, Sing, Sing, was canceled in October 1965.

In 1967, Johnny hosted a new TV show called Where The Action Is, but it wasn't successful and was canceled later that year.

From 1968 onwards, Johnny mostly performed in clubs and cabarets. He continued to release new singles, but only a few made it into the Top 40.

The 1970s

Johnny O'Keefe continued to record and release singles in the 1970s. In July 1972, he had another hit with a re-recorded version of his 1958 song "So Tough," which reached No. 7.

In January 1973, Johnny performed at the Sunbury Pop Festival. The crowd at first booed him, but by the end of his performance, he had completely won them over.

In 1974, he had his last big hit with "Mockingbird," a duet with Margaret McLaren. It became his 29th Australian hit, reaching No. 8.

In August 1974, Johnny O'Keefe created a tour called "The Good Old Days of Rock'n'Roll." It featured many of his old friends and was very successful for the next four years.

On Valentine's Day in 1975, Johnny married Maureen Joan Maricic. They opened a fashion store together in 1978.

Death and Lasting Impact

Johnny O'Keefe's last public appearance was on a TV show called Sounds, recorded just six days before he passed away.

Johnny O'Keefe died on October 6, 1978, from a heart attack. He was buried in Sydney.

Since his death, Johnny O'Keefe's importance has continued to grow. He has received much recognition that he didn't get during his lifetime. Books have been written about his life, and he is remembered for helping other Australian musicians.

In 1986, a TV mini-series about his life, Shout! The Story of Johnny O'Keefe, was made. It starred actor-singer Terry Serio as Johnny.

Also in 1986, punk rock legend Iggy Pop recorded a cover of Johnny's famous song "Wild One," calling it "Real Wild Child." Parts of Iggy Pop's version were used in the theme music for the ABC's long-running music video show Rage.

In 1988, Johnny O'Keefe was honored by being added to the ARIA Hall of Fame.

In 1994, the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney had a big exhibition about Australia's rock and pop history called Real Wild Child.

In 1998, Australia Post released a special stamp to celebrate the early years of Australian rock 'n' roll. The first stamp in the series honored Johnny O'Keefe.

Johnny O'Keefe's life also inspired a stage musical called Shout! The Legend of The Wild One.

A portrait of Johnny O'Keefe, called "A Little Bit Louder Now," is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

In 2004, a 5-meter tall statue of Johnny O'Keefe, titled "The Wild One," was unveiled in Coolangatta.

In 2007, his song "She's My Baby" was added to the National Film and Sound Archive's Sounds of Australia registry.

In 2010, his 1958 album, Wild One, was listed in the top 40 in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums.

In December 2020, Rolling Stone Australia magazine listed Johnny O'Keefe as number 39 in their "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time."

Discography

Charting Albums

Charting EPs

Singles

Charting B-sides

Awards and Nominations

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are annual awards that celebrate great music in Australia. Johnny O'Keefe was added to the Hall of Fame in 1988.

King of Pop Awards

The King of Pop Awards were chosen by readers of TV Week magazine. They ran from 1967 to 1978.

Mo Awards

The Mo Awards celebrated live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Johnny O'Keefe won one award, and an encouragement award was named after him.

See also

In Spanish: Johnny O'Keefe para niños