Johnny O'Keefe Biography

Born in Sydney, Australia on January 9th, 1935, Johnny O’Keefe is known as the King of Australian Rock and Roll! His hits include “I’m The Wild One”, “Shout” and “She’s My Baby”. His fame came when he opened for Bill Haley and his Comets in Australia. Johnny O’Keefe became the firs Australian pop star to chard with, “I’m The Wild One”.

In 1959, while in the United States for an appearance on Lee Gordon’s Show tour, Johnny O’Keefe signed his first record deal while meeting a Liberty Records executive in a drug store. He came back to Australia with his first number one record, “She’s My Baby”.

Unfortunately, Johnny O’Keefe’s next tour in America was filled with mixed success. His hit, “It’s Too Late” made number one in New Orleans, but due to Johnny’s “good times” after his shows, O’Keefe began showing up at his shows hung-over, causing Liberty Records to lose interest.

Johnny O’Keefe came back to Australia with nothing to show, but he faked his success and purchased a bright red Plymouth Belvedere. In June, 1960, O’Keefe crashed his Belvedere, suffering severe facial lacerations, concussion and a series of publicized nervous breakdowns! By August, with a scarred face, he was back on TV, but the accident remained a symbol of his life and career. He released three more national number ones with “I’m Counting On You”, “Move Baby Move” and “She Wears My Ring”.

Once the Beatles generation hit, Johnny O’Keefe and his rock and roll generation quickly fell from sight. He continued to tour despite the fact that all radio stations stopped playing his music. He died on October 6, 1978 of a heart attach induced by an accidental overdose of prescribed drugs. Over 3000 people crammed into the Waverly, Sydney Church and thousands more filled the streets of Waverly to say good-bye to the Australian King of Rock & Roll.

Visit the Official Johnny O’Keefe website at http://www.johnnyokeefe.com

Do you have any more information on this artist?