Barry o'keefe
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Australian Dictionary of Biography
John Michael (Johnny) O'Keefe (1935-1978), rock'n'roll singer, was born on 19 January 1935 in Sydney, second of three children of Raymond Moran O'Keefe, furniture salesman, and his wife Thelma Edna, née Kennedy, both born in New South Wales. Johnny attended Christian Brothers' College, Waverley, and completed a first-year certificate at the College of Retailing. His father occasionally played in a jazz band. While at school Johnny sang in the choir and studied piano. He began to imitate the emotional singing style of the American pop idol, Johnnie Ray, and appeared on radio 2UW's 'Australian Amateur Hour'.
While working as a salesman in his father's furniture store, R. M. O'Keefe & Co., Pitt Street, O'Keefe enrolled in economics at the University of Sydney. After he heard Bill Haley singing Rock Around the Clock in the film Blackboard Jungle in 1955, he decided to become a rock'n'roller. In September 1956 he and Dave Owens formed the 'Dee Jays' (Dee was for Dave, and Jay for Johnny). They were joined by Johnny Greenan, Lou Casch, Keith
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Johnny O'Keefe
Australian rock and roll singer (1935–1978)
For other people named John O'Keefe, see John O'Keefe (disambiguation).
Johnny O'Keefe | |
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O'Keefe in December 1969 | |
| 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 | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1953–1978 |
| Labels | Festival, Leedon, Liberty |
| Website | johnnyokeefe.com |
Musical artist
John Michael O'Keefe (19 January 1935 – 6 October 1978) was an Australian rock and roll singer whose career began in the early 1950s. A pioneer of Rock music in Australia, his hits include "Wild One" (1958), "Shout!" and "She's My Baby". Often referred to by his initials "J.O'K." or by his nickname "The Wild One", O'Keefe was the first Australian rock n' roll performer to tour the United States, and the first Australian artist to make t
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Johnny O'Keefe
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