Johnny O'Keefe
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Johnny O'Keefe (January 6, 1935 – October 6, 1978) was an early Australian rock and roll singer of the 1950s.
Some of his hits include Wild One (1958), Shout! and She's My Baby. He was the first Australian to make the local pop music charts. He died of a heart attack, induced by an accidental overdose of prescribed drugs.
In 1959, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation gave him his own one-hour live television show Six O'Clock Rock which featured local artists.[1] This was a rather daring move on the part of the ABC, as it wasn't given to featuring much "Rock and Roll" on its broadcasts. O'Keefe also had half-hour radio show on the ABC for a while, though this was not as popular as the TV show.
In October 1961, O'Keefe moved to ATN-7 as compere of the Johnny O'Keefe Show. A 'health breakdown' brought on by pressures from the shows production as well as his own touring schedule meant that the network re-badged the show as Sing Sing Sing from February 1963. O'Keefe's health deteriorated and the show ended in October 1965.
From January to November 1967, O'Keefe compered a music TV show called Where The Action Is on TEN-10 which was filmed at various outdoor locations around Sydney.
In 1963, he received facial injuries when his car collided with a truck. Despite plastic surgery and bandages, he returned to television within two weeks.
He is the uncle of Deal or No Deal presenter Andrew O'Keefe.
[edit] Hit songs
- She's My Baby
- Shout
- She Wears My Ring
- You'll Never Cherish A Love/Move Baby Move
- Don't You Know
- Why Do They Doubt Our Love
- Come On And Take My Hand
- Sing
- So Tough
- Ready For You
[edit] References
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