Johnny O'Keefe: Rocker. Legend. Wild One. - Softcover

Apter, Jeff

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0733629342 ISBN 13: 9780733629341

Publisher: Hachette Australia, 2013

Synopsis

Bill Haley called him 'a future king' of rock. Billy Thorpe idolised him. Fans loved him. We knew him simply as JO'K. Johnny O'Keefe was a human dynamo. Australia's first king of rock'n'roll, his massive influence still looms large on the Australian entertainment landscape. Although O'Keefe suffered as many breakdowns as he did breakthroughs, he played a huge role in establishing the multi-million dollar Australian music industry as we know it today. He was our first and remains our greatest rock'n'roll star. Like his peer Elvis Presley, Johnny died way too young, from a heart attack in 1978, at the age of 43. He left behind a legacy of timeless hits, including 'She Wears My Ring', 'She s My Baby', 'Shout' and 'The Wild One', and recorded thirty-three Top 40 hits during his lifetime. Johnny's role as host of the television shows 'Six O Clock Rock', 'Sing Sing Sing', and 'The Johnny O Keefe Show' still hold a special place in the hearts and minds of his many fans, as do his legendary live performances. Featuring the input of peers and insiders, and written with the full support of the JO'K Trust, this is the definitive story of the man known as the Wild One.

About this title

Product Description:

Johnny O'Keefe was a human dynamo, a rock 'n' roll powerhouse whose influence still looms large on the Australia musical landscape. He was brilliantly talented, but possessed a self-destructive streak, and suffered as many breakdowns as he did breakthroughs. Yet he played a huge role in establishing the Australian entertainment industry as we know it today. O'Keefe may have been short in stature, but he was big on ego. 'You can boo me and you can make fun of me,' he once told a hostile audience, 'but you all paid your money to see me because you love me.' He was the ultimate performer, and thrived on being on stage, giving the music, and the fans, everything he had. O'Keefe died way too young, from a heart attack, at the age of 43, leaving behind a legacy of timeless hits, including 'She Wears My Ring', 'She's My Baby' and 'Shout'. He recorded 33 Top 40 hits during his lifetime. Written with the active cooperation of the O'Keefe family and the JO'K Trust, Jeff Apter tells the colourful and evocative story of the life and times of one of Australia's best ever performers.

About the Author:

Jeff Apter is a freelance journalist and author (and co-author) of a number of books, including A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME (with Kasey Chambers) and SHIRL: THE LIFE OF GRAEME 'SHIRLY' STRACHAN.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hachette Australia
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0733629342
• ISBN 13: 9780733629341
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 334