Buy a discounted paperback of johnny okeefe online from australias leading online bookstore. The first johnny o keefe biography that was purposly written to dispell rumors and try to present an unbiased and truthful a story as can be, is a new 2001 release called, the wild one the life and times of johnny o keefe by damian johnstone. A new book examines the life of the original wild one, australian rocker johnny o keefe. Abc even by the standards of rock and roll in the late 50s, johnny okeefes the wild one is a fairly innocuous song. His narrative, which includes personal family insights, gives australia a never before heard or seen glimpse of what it was like to grow up with the king. The story of johnny o keefe, which starred actorsinger terry serio as o keefe. This site is a gift from his friends, to all those who want to know more about the true real wild child or wild one johnny o keefe and australian music history. Wanting to capture the feel of his live shows, the first version of wild one had the sound of a.
His eye for talent, ear for hit songs and mouth for the gift of the gab, not only helped himself but many. He started with a hiss and a roar, only to fade somewhat midcareer. Relive the life and music of the wild one australias king of rocknroll, johnny okeefe. In his twentyyear career, okeefe released over 50 singles, 50 eps and 100 albums. A life changing car accident and prescription drugs were his undoing. A local band, the dee jays with vocalist johnny okeefe, was chosen as the supporting. Wild one from the album johnnys golden album, festival records fm6005 composed by dee jay members john greenan, dave owens and johnny okeefe himself, wild one was originally released in 1958 on the ep shakin at the stadium. The life and times of johnny okeefe damian johnstone on. The musical, which is a raw and honest account of okeefes life, was developed from the book by johnmichael howson, david mitchell and melvyn morrow. The wild one by johnny okeefe australias first rockn.
Got the message that i gotta be alive, im a wild one ooh yay im a wild one ooooooh baby, gonna break loose, im gonna keep her movin wild im gonna keep her shakin baby, im a real wild child well give me a chick thatsa all of my own shake her till the meata comes offa the bone cause im a wild one, oooh yay, im a wild one ooooooh. Featuring special appearances by the dixie cups, bill haley and col joye, but predominantly a vehicle for the wild one himself, this twocd collection focuses on the extraordinary life of johnny okeefe. Featuring special appearances by the dixie cups, bill haley and col joye, but predominantly a vehicle for the wild one himself, this twocd collection focuses on the extraordinary life of johnny o keefe. Well ima just outta school, like im real real cool gotta shake, gotta jive got the message that i gotta be alive, im a wild one ooh yay im a wild one ooooooh baby. Ok was partly responsible for starting the australian rock industry. Im gonna keep her movin wild im gonna keep her shakin baby, im a real wild child i meet all the guys, im gonna meet all the chicks shiver and a shake it till i. This content belongs to johnny o keefe and his recorder. John michael johnny okeefe 19351978, rocknroll singer, was born on 19 january 1935 in sydney, second of three children of raymond moran okeefe, furniture salesman, and his wife thelma edna, nee kennedy, both born in new south wales. A local band, the dee jays with vocalist johnny o keefe, was chosen as the supporting. Everyone i spoke with had vivid memories of the man. Johnny okeefe real wild child wild one sheet music. Johnny okeefe released wild one in 1958 which he wrote with dave owens, johnny greenan and tony withers, a disc jockey. The first johnny okeefe biography that was purposly written to dispell rumors and try to present an unbiased and truthful a story as can be, is a new 2001 release called, the wild one the life and times of johnny okeefe by damian johnstone.
As joni mitchell sang you dont know what youve got till its gone. Even by the standards of rock and roll in the late 50s, johnny okeefes the wild one is a fairly innocuous song. A pictorial discography of johnny okeefe compiled by don hudson and bill ross book is approximately 812 x 14 inches, 66 pages. Well ima just outa school, like im real real cool gotta shake, gotta jive. This content belongs to johnny okeefe and his recorder. Australia took johnny for granted in his later years. Australias first king of rocknroll, his massive influence still looms large on the australian entertainment landscape. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that.
Johnny okeefe the wild one collectors edition 2008. O keefe was a radio and television entertainer and presenteroften referred to by his initials j. John michael okeefe, known as johnny okeefe 19 january 1935 6 october 1978 was an australian rock and roll singer whose career began in the 1950s. Get johnny okeefe real wild child wild one sheet music notes, chords. Johnny okeefe writer jeff apter, andrew okeefe and 702 listeners share stories about his life, the legend and the story behind okeefes songs print page. Wild one from the album johnnys golden album, festival records fm6005. The legend of the wild one is a brilliant, adult orientated australian musical, based on the life and times of johnny okeefe the undisputed king of australian rock and roll.
The legend of the wild one, with book by johnmichael howson, david mitchell and melvyn morrow and featuring music made famous by okeefe and other hits of the 1950s. The download links included in these posts are for evaluation purposes only. An elemental force present at the creation of australian rock n roll, johnny okeefe converted incredible drive, a tremendous flair for showmanship and a larrikin spirit into status as this countrys. Wild one or real wild child is an australian rock and roll song written by johnny greenan, johnny o keefe, and dave owens. An elemental force present at the creation of australian rock n roll, johnny o keefe converted incredible drive, a tremendous flair for showmanship and a larrikin spirit into status a. The rollercoaster story behind johnny okeefes conversion of his incredible drive, flair for showmanship and larrikin spirit into the creation of australias first rock and roll star. Books, images, historic newspapers, maps, archives and more. I remember constantly listening to dubbed tapes of his greatest hits, and learning every word to every song. Born in sydney on 19 january 1935, johnny o keefe became the undisputed king of australian rock and roll. While most sources state that o keefe was directly involved in composing the song, this has been questioned by others.
There was little or no rock music scene in australia, and certainly no australian rock recordings, prior to 1957, when bill haley toured the country. His breakthrough came with his third release, a song called im the wild one. Wanting to capture the feel of his live shows, the first version of wild one had the sound of a concert audience dubbed over the top of the recording. Johnny and his vicious biker gang invade a small, sleepy 1950s california town. Johnny okeefe became the first australian pop star to chart.
Shipping may be from multiple locations in the us or from the uk, depending on stock availability. The rollercoaster story behind johnny o keefe s conversion of his incredible drive, flair for showmanship and larrikin spirit into the creation of australias first rock and roll star. Music profile for johnny o keefe, born 19 january 1935. New biography of the wild one, johnny okeefe books and arts. Composed by dee jay members john greenan, dave owens and johnny okeefe himself, wild one was originally released in 1958 on the ep shakin at the stadium. An elemental force present at the creation of australian rock n roll, johnny o keefe converted incredible drive, a tremendous flair for showmanship and a comic spirit into status as this countrys first rock star, and, two decades after his death, a national icon. Jerry lee lewis did a cover version which was a hit for him in the us. Okeefe would be known as the wild one throughout his career. This was the bside of sing, a single on leedon by johnny okeefe 19351978, australias biggest star of the rocknroll era, known as the wild one, the king of rocknroll or just j. Sydney disc jockey tony withers was credited with helping to get radio airplay for the song but writer credits on subsequent versions often omit.
I am a lifelong johnny okeefe fan, and its safe to say that my journey in to rock music started with him. His greatest hits and other classics from the era his greatest hits and other classics from the era label. Johnny attended the unofficial johnny okeefe face book page and tribute page. The wild one by johnny okeefe australias first rocknroll hit this highoctane tribute to teenage libido and abandon was a refreshing pop moment amid the cultural ennui of the late 1950s. This site is a gift from his friends, to all those who want to know more about the true real wild child or wild one johnny okeefe and australian music history. An elemental force present at the creation of australian rock n roll, johnny okeefe converted incredible drive, a tremendous flair for showmanship and a comic spirit into status as this countrys first rock star, and, two decades after his death, a national icon. Success in the us was important goal for johnny but despite two attempts he return unsuccessful. Music profile for johnny okeefe, born 19 january 1935. Although okeefe suffered as many breakdowns as he did breakthroughs, he played a huge role in establishing the multimillion dollar australian music industry as we know it today. The first major biography on okeefe was published in 1982, and several others have been written since including the wild one by damian johnstone and johnny okeefe the facts written in 2008 by lonnie lee and released by starlite records. The first of two scrapbooks compiled by johnnys mother, thelma o keefe.
Johnny o keefe was the original aussie rocker and his talent is all over this album. O k was partly responsible for starting the australian rock industry. The behind the scenes story of a rock n roll legend. An elemental force present at the creation of australian rock n roll. Johnny o keefe became the first australian pop star to chart. Sydney disc jockey tony withers was credited with helping to get radio airplay for the song but writer credits on subsequent versions often omit withers, who later worked in the united kingdom on pirate stations radio atlanta and, as tony windsor, on rad. Watch rare television footage, listen to music clips and oral history interviews, and browse two immense scrapbooks that were lovingly compiled by johnnys mother thelma from 1954 to 1965.
Although o keefe suffered as many breakdowns as he did breakthroughs, he played a huge role in establishing the multimillion dollar australian music industry as we know it today. Andrew okeefe shouts johnny okeefe is an intensely inspirational representation of johnny that andrew delivers via the hits and his own words. While most sources state that okeefe was directly involved in composing the song, this has been questioned by others. An elemental force present at the creation of australian rock n roll, johnny okeefe converted incredible drive. Johnny o keefe writer jeff apter, andrew o keefe and 702 listeners share stories about his life, the legend and the story behind o keefe s songs print page. The wild one real wild child licensed to youtube by. More information about this seller contact this seller 4.
The wild one real wild child writtenby david owens 2, john greenan, johnny okeefe, tony withers. Wild one or real wild child is an australian rock and roll song written by johnny greenan, johnny okeefe, and dave owens. Johnny okeefe the wild one collectors edition 2008, cd. The wild one by johnny okeefe australias first rocknroll hit. The story of johnny okeefe, which starred actorsinger terry serio as okeefe. Buy with confidence from one of australias oldest bookshops established in 1975. O keefe would be known as the wild one throughout his career. Okeefe, john michael 19351978, rocknroll singer, was born on 19 january 1935 in sydney, second of three children of raymond moran okeefe, furniture salesman, and his wife thelma edna, nee kennedy, both born in new south wales. This seminal australian rock song was covered in 1987 by iggy pop as real wild child. New biography of the wild one, johnny okeefe books and. Johnny okeefe 1962 sources of australian pop records. Born in sydney on 19 january 1935, johnny okeefe became the undisputed king of australian rock and roll. The leatherjacketed young biker seems hellbent for destruction until he falls for kathie, a good girl whose father. Dead at 43, after 30 hit singles and 28 albums, this biography reveals his life and influence.
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