BIG BEAT OF THE FIFTIES IS THE OFFICIAL CLUB MAGAZINE OF THE AUSTRALIAN Rock’n’Roll APPRECIATION SOCIETY PO BOX 21, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, MELBOURNE 3005 FEBRUARY 2002

Johnny O’Keefe, Pat Cupp, GreazeFest, That’ll be the Day at the Bay, Rock Around Aust, Heaps of reviews and lots, lots more

Print Post Approved 84 Publication No. PP326342/0006 J.O’K: Life after Death by Brendan Hancock

After a massive heart attack took the pink front cover echoed the current life of the king of Australian rock. style and colours that were the early Almost 23 years on, the Wild One 80s but also kept in the classic style legacy is still going strong and is still that was O’Keefe. As an added bonus rocking our socks off. the fans where also rewarded with an The following article is an open gate LP cover that featured a overview of my personal thoughts great collection of images of J.O’K and opinions. Keep in mind this is throughout his career. from a person who was born in 1978. The success of this album created Enjoy what you are about to read, the foundation for new material to Good old classic rock is not only follow. The first major product was enjoyed by the ‘oldies’, but a lot of us released exactly one year later. youngsters too. Don’t worry, this With the blessing of the O’Keefe won’t be another typical Johnny family, John Bryden-Brown wrote and O’Keefe Biography; instead I will take released J.O’K: The Official Johnny you on a personal journey on how the O’Keefe Story in 1982. At 184 pages magic and music of J.O’K has carried the book featured a basic version of on long after his death and is contin- the Johnny O’Keefe story but featured uing to grow. a great collection of J.O’K pictures They say when Buddy Holly, Rich and a simple but up to date Valens and the Big Bopper died in the discography. plane crash in Iowa in 1959 that it The book, like its featured was the day the music died. The loss discography, only scraped the surface of three young and gifted rockers of J.O’K’s story. it wasn’t hard to see shook the foundations of the early that this early biography was sugar rock establishment and left the music coated in order to make the O’Keefe’s world stunned. Although the loss of happy and to keep their support, so these three great American that the Bryden-Brown book could performers was felt by many loyal fans retain the treasured ”official” tag. It here in Australia, it could be said that would be another 20 years before fans the real feeling of emotional loss and were able to read a better alternative emptiness within the rock community version of the O’Keefe story, wouldn’t be felt until 6 October 1978, In true marketing style, Festival when our own king of Rock, Johnny Records released a Greatest Hits 2 LP O’Keefe died from a massive heart set to coincide with the release of the attack. biography. The album, also known as After J.O’K’s death and during the J.O’K: The OFFICIAL Johnny O’Keefe years of 1979–1980 there wasn’t Story with the same cover art as anything major released that featured featured on the book, was broken up J.O’K. The drought was broken in into the four parts ‘The Early Singles’, October 1981 when well-known ‘The Hits’, ‘Rock & Roll’ and ‘The Australian rock historian Glenn A. Ballads’. Once again like the early Baker teamed up with Festival Records festival offering, all of J.O’K’s well- to compile a double 10" LP set titled known hits were featured, with the Real Wild Child. This release not only exception of the classic SHOUT part started the ball rolling as being the 2. None the less, for any new fan at first major release after O’Keefe’s the time this was a great starting point death, it also rewarded fans with a for a potential J.O’K record collection. handful of rarities such as the original For the original Johnny O’Keefe version of Shake Baby Shake, Money fan the set featured songs not Honey, I’m Movin’ On, Rock Time, regularly available on previous album and Let’s Have A Party. The bright collections such as Whole Lotta

22 BIG BEAT OF THE FIFTIES Shakin’ Going On, Let’s Twist Again, skimmed the surface to the wild one’s Ready Teddy and You’ll Never Walk story, this provoked the makers to also Alone. take liberties with the story and the From the biography came a characters within for added dramatic documentary called the Wild One, effect. aired in 1983 and marked the 5th Leon Isackson, former Dig anniversary since J.O’K’s death and Richards and The Rjays and Rajahs was also given the Glenn A. Baker drummer said in my www.johnny- touch. Although a bit outdated by okeefe.net interview that although today’s standards, this 45 minute ”Terry (Serio who played J.O’K) was production featured some rare clips of pretty good as O’Keefe, but I thought Johnny O’Keefe in action as well as a that they played the mad part a bit collection of interviews with O’Keefe’s over the top. He (O’Keefe) was a family and friends. different sort of mad, not maniac After 1986 with the release of mad, good fun mad”. Leon also went SHOUT! The Mini Series, this on to say that ”They made O’Keefe documentary became a sought after look too stupid, when in fact he was commodity. As the new wave of as cunning as a shithouse rat and O’Keefe fans did their best to seek out most of the time he was sending whatever material was available, the people up. Some of the facts were a footage that was available in the bit out of whack like the car smash documentary was the proverbial was wrong. In the series they said he goldmine. Unfortunately, without was alone. We (The Mighty Guys) pirated copies, most fans would have actually did most of the music to wait until around 1995 when soundtrack and the Maori in the series Festival released this original made for was actually lip synching to my voice, television documentary on Sell- also the Lee Gordon portrayed in the Through Video Release for $29.95. series was nothing like the Lee With the release of the John Gordon I remember”. Bryden-Brown biography, the two The differences, mistakes, errors festival albums and the Glenn A. etc found within the mini series are Baker driven Wild One Television many. But from a cinematic point of documentary, recognition of what view screenplay writer Robert Caswell Johnny O’Keefe had done for obviously had to make some choices Australian Music and the when putting the story together. Once entertainment industry was finally again, like the Bryden Brown starting to be realised. Although it has biography the makers made sure they never been written, It can be said that kept the story running at a particular Robert Caswell borrowed a lot from level in order to get the blessing from this biography when he wrote his Thelma O’Keefe and the rest of the screenplay Shout The Story Of Johnny O’Keefe Family. O’Keefe which would become the We can knock how bad it was on Network Seven produced Mini series so many levels, but we also have to of the same name. look at how good it was in regards to 8 April 1986 should be regarded the major benefits this 1986 television as the date that re-invented the magic mini series has long since spawned. I of Johnny O’Keefe to a whole new personally didn’t know who Johnny generation of fans. For many people O’Keefe was until I heard the music Network Seven’s 2.2 Million dollar, 2 _ that was coming out of my parents hour mini series SHOUT! The Story Of lounge room when they were Johnny O’Keefe was to be their first watching it. I thought it was a experience to the music of Johnny gangster flick because of the zebra O’Keefe. For everyone else already skinned patterns on the video cover at accustomed, the mini series was the the time. Shout! the mini series can hook and solidified the wild one as an be said to indirectly get these new undisputed rock legend, although J.O’K fans like myself into the sounds regarded as a disappointment by of other early Australian rockers such many die-hard fans and close friends as Col Joye, Dig Richards, The of J.O’K. Delltones etc…And of course Terry The fact that the storyline like the Serio did do an amazing job, and wow Bryden-Brown biography only couldn’t he move!

FEBRUARY 2002 23 Because of the new found fan The tribute to the 10th anniversary myself were still trying to collect base for Johnny O’Keefe, the new since J.O’K’s death was in the form of everything and anything that featured fans not content with Festival Records’ an 8 LP/CD box-set entitled J.O’K So J.O’K. and the only decent product 2LP mini series soundtrack and the Tough. Once again it took the available at the time was Festival’s book version of the original Caswell partnership of Glenn A. Baker and expensive box set. screenplay started hunting record Festival Records to put this amazing The concert wasn’t the best stores’ back catalogues. Collector and collection together. The set consisted sounding record in the world, due to record trading fairs were attacked and of 158 original recordings, 21 of the fact it was recorded on a mono slowly classic J.O’K records became which were previously unissued tracks cassette recorder and that it was instant collector items and were and interview segments at the end of recorded one month before J.O’K’s increasingly harder to find. It was now each collection of songs. The 24- death. It was not only the added time that festival needed to work out paged scrapbook was also included, bonus to any die-hard collector but something to combat this demand and featured some awesome and rare also a chance for some to get an idea and it wouldn’t be long until these images of O’Keefe and also contained as to how much of a showman Johnny new fans’ prayers would be answered. a more detailed discography than the O’Keefe really was. Although by 1988 most J.O’K fans one previously featured in the 1982 It was up to budget distributor had SHOUT! The story of Johnny biography. RAINBOW in 1990 to license some of O’Keefe on video to hire from their As a whole, festival records really J.O’K’s well-known hits from festival local video shop, or illegally taped outdid themselves, but unfortunately to release The Best of Johnny from the few re-runs on television, it for the everyday person the $120 O’Keefe. Due to its budget price it was this year that the fans were given price tag was a little too much, but was a success. rainbow then added a the ultimate reward for their patience. worth it to the J.O’K collector. It would few extra songs including Shout! and The Australian Rock’n’Roll seem that all future releases from Shake baby Shake and re-released it Appreciation Society published The festival would be second rate due to in 1992 as The Very Best of Johnny A–Z of J.O’K: A Pictorial Discography 95% of all Johnny O’Keefe material O’Keefe. Both originally released on of Johnny O’Keefe. Compiled by Don being put into the box-set. So any cassette then re-released onto CD, Hudson and Bill Ross this 64 page further releases would be only Due to both Canetoad Records book featured in both graphical and recycling material. and Rainbow’s success, Festival got text form the most complete (at the It was 1989 when the last back into the game and released their time) listing of J.O’K releases ever significant Johnny O’Keefe LP record first J.O’K single CD releases since the made. Unlike previous discography was released, and ironically it had box-set. attempts, the A–Z book also printed nothing to do with Festival Records. First off the press was the CD re- the listings of alternative versions of This, I feel, has left them a little bitter release of Real Wild Child in 1990 and albums as well as international J.O’K ever since. When independent record an original CD release Johnny releases. The book was simple but label Canetoad records released O’Keefe Teletracks 1962 –1964 in effective and became the benchmark Johnny O’Keefe: The Last Concert it 1992. This release was an expanded for future J.O’K discography listings. was during a time when people, like version of the teletracks CD that was

24 BIG BEAT OF THE FIFTIES featured in the So Tough box-set. The media to store large amounts of, text, packaging, the artwork and the silver main difference was the inclusion of a video and other forms of multi-media. lettering on the covered echoed the further 6 songs. By 1996, most of the world’s fact that this was indeed an EVENT. By 1993 Festival covered all their classic albums had already been re- As well as being a quality product at bases CD wise by re-releasing A released onto the compact disc $39.95 the price was good, the sound Tribute to Johnny O’Keefe: 22 Golden format, most of the time no effort had was good and the small enclosed Greats which was originally a greatest been made to draw the full benefit booklet gave us a run down as to hits LP release not long after J.O’K’s out of this digital medium and were what efforts had been made in order death. The CD was also at the basically straight copies from the to create this CD masterpiece. This reasonable price of $19.95 and was original master tapes. But because of set became the cheaper alternative the first time all his classic hits were this advancement in mastering for the average fan that couldn’t available on one CD. technology, some of these classic afford or even track down a copy of Most of the J.O’K catalogue also albums were being re-released again the complicated to order So Tough 8- fell into oblivion with the exception of on CD after being digitally ”cleaned CD box-set. Festival’s A Tribute to Johnny O’Keefe up” and ”remastered”, thus creating Due to its success, it seemed that CD that found its way into super- the best sounding versions of the festival received the wake up call and market bargain bins for around recordings to date. In some cases realised that J.O’K was still a $9.95. record companies would get the bankable commodity even though the During 1994 and 1995, there original elements that went into each customers were slowly becoming a wasn’t anything new regarding Johnny recording and recomposed them to minority. Once again the proverbial O’Keefe But the internet provided a create either stereo sounding floodgates were opened, and Johnny new resource for J O’K fans. The elements from an original mono O’Keefe and classic Australian rock Unofficial Johnny O’Keefe page was recording or re-mix these elements to became profitable again. created. The page was not only the create a better sounding stereo Within the space of 18 months first Johnny O’Keefe page on the net, version. Festival records released Johnny but one of the first Australian sites In Australia, one of the most O’Keefe’s Greatest Hits. The CD, dedicated to an Australian artist. Over popular remastered releases of 1996 which was basically a cut-down the next few years, small tribute sites was Festival Records Johnny O’Keefe: version of the Birth of Australian Rock and J.O’K related articles would find The Birth of Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll, a set featured 22 songs, and I feel it their place on the net. 3-CD, 75-track-set broken up into wasn’t as popular as festival hoped. By 1996 technology had advanced ‘The Hits’, ‘The Ballads’ and ‘Rarities’ Within a few months Sanity Music and even more and computers and digital collections. The tracks do sound a lot Festival teamed up and released a re- technology were being incorporated better than anything previously packaged version of the Birth of into every facet of our lives. Because it released which is evident in the song Australian Rock 3-CD set for $19.95. was cheap to manufacture, the Ain’t A Gonna Do It. The release of Do to this re-packaged success; this compact disc not only became a the set marked a new beginning in same set was re-released in other media to store audio but also ”the” the legend of J.O’K., as the stylish stores for around $29.95

FEBRUARY 2002 25 It was at this time, 1998 that that out of the surreal pop art-like written. The only original issues that Festival, now known as Festival artworks, the J.O’K stamp, the first were tackled with Marianne’s book Mushroom Records re-created its stamp in the collection, was the only was how they met and the truth about famous Spin label. The new Spin label stamp to feature a proper image of his bouts of depression, his mental was FMR’s way of re releasing classic the artist whereas metaphoric objects, illness and the violent outbursts. re-mastered hits and collections from characters or logos were used to After reading Leon Isackson and some of Australia’s most loved artists reflect the artist or song featured. The Jon Hayton’s book Behind The Rock such as Col Joye, Johnny Devlin, The other artists included in the set, were and in particular the part about their Delltones, Judy Stone and obviously Col Joye, Little Pattie, Normie Rowe, famous ‘board meetings’ of which the Wild One. The Easybeats, Russell Morris, Masters J.O’K was a frequent member of, it The first Johnny O’Keefe release Apprentices, Daddy Cool, Billy Thorpe was obvious that poor old Marianne, on the newly created Spin Label was & The Aztecs, Skyhooks, AC/DC and the good natured caring mother and Love Songs and Ballads which was Sherbet. wife of the Wild One, had no idea of basically a revamped version of J.O’K was the star again. His face the other life Johnny O’Keefe lived J.O’K’s Let True Love Begin LP of and image were no longer restricted outside their house. The book 1973 but included an extra 8 songs. to CD covers, but in and on every originally retailed for around $40 but For the newer J.O’K fans it was a Australian post office’ wall, window, or sadly, within 12 months ended up in chance to have the love songs of as a huge life-size cardboard cutout. discount stores for around seven J.O’K on the best media possible. After his face had been licked by dollars. But it wasn’t only FMR records thousands of Australians via the 45- Because 1998 marked the 20th getting into the Australian rock’n’roll/ cent-stamp, Australia Post treated the anniversary of the death of the Wild Johnny O’Keefe revival. Although customer to a compilation CD One, thoughts as to what would be FMR was still pumping out a variety of produced with the help of FMR, which done to mark this occasion were a classic rock artists on the Spin label, was also called Australian Rock & Roll: growing concern. Many fans Australia Post released their Australian The Early Years. expressed their opinion on the lack of rock’n’roll: The Early Years Stamp It was at this time that Marianne real recognition for the late great Campaign on the 28 May 1998 and Renate, Johnny O’Keefe’s first wife, J.O’K. An example of this concern the Wild One was used as their major decided to release her autobiography can be seen in Mr Michael promotional tool. The stamp cam- entitled Off The Record: life with and Cartwright’s letter to the editor of the paign was the first outside recognition without Johnny O’Keefe. At 258 Newcastle Herald in 1998, Michael for J.O’K and other classic artists pages the book was indeed an easy has written basically this very same within the music industry. The set of read. Due to the lack of substance the letter to the editor to the very same 45-cent-stamps payed tribute to 12 of book felt more like an afternoon chat newspaper almost every year since: the most popular and influential songs than a great tale to be told. In regards ”WHY is there no park, garden or from 1958–1978 of which J.O’K’s the to life with J.O’K, only key points got a reserve, street, avenue or road named Wild One was featured. An important mention, and it was usually situations after the late great Johnny O’Keefe? aspect of the collection was the fact and facts that had already been To make matters worse J.O’K died

26 BIG BEAT OF THE FIFTIES almost penniless, after giving so much Barry O’Keefe to start work on a Bandstand’ which featured Why Do pleasure and time for all Australians to monument to mark the 20th They Doubt Our Love and So Tough enjoy. He laid the foundation on which anniversary of J.O’K’s death. Rumour and just in time for Christmas 1999 A we have built Australian rock to the has it Barry O’Keefe got impatient Vintage Christmas Album which World” because the work was taking longer featured the rare but classic J.O’K hit Michael Cartwright, Gosford, than expected, and in the end pulled Pretty Paper which had been featured 4 August. out of and distanced himself from the on the So Tough box-set back in 1988. project. This left Dr. Kolozsy looking But the best of Johnny O’Keefe The above is a great example of for funding as well as a site, to and FMR’s Spin label was yet to how just one typical fan felt about the complete the 3 metre high monu- come. absence of true recognition for one of ment. The year 2000 should be regarded Australia’s pioneering fathers of Within the following year, FMR’s as the year of the Wild One. Because Australian Rock Music. Spin label continued to release further of the Olympics and the centennial of But the fan’s thoughts didn’t go artists collections and classic federation coming up, all things unanswered, as it is believed that compilations such as Spin Back in Australian were seen in a different around this time sculptor Dr. Alex Time which featured J.O’K’s Lollipops light. Legends, heroes and pioneers Sandor Kolozsy was commissioned by and Roses, ‘Brian Henderson’s were being recognised and finally

FEBRUARY 2002 27 Johnny O’Keefe received recognition exclusive deals with Jacobsen or stage show based on the life of in the form of a stage musical. The Entertainment. It seemed that Johnny O’Keefe. problem was by March of 2000 there Jacobson Entertainment had the Because of this, the Barry were two musicals planned to be upper hand in regards to music rights. O’Keefe/James Erskine musical took a released, one produced with the They pushed ahead at a super fast back seat and had been shelved for assistance of the O’Keefe estate with pace in order to be the first musical, possible release at a future date. J.O’K’s brother Barry in full control with the world premiere pencilled in The Jacobson musical had its and the other ironically being for 1 March2001 at Sydney’s Capitol world premiere at the Victorian Arts produced by Col Joye and his brother theatre. Centre on 4 January 2001. The part Kevin Jacobson once said to be It was around this time that Sports of Johnny O’Keefe was played by J.O’K’s greatest rivals. The musical and Entertainment’s James Erskine, David Campbell, already a star on the situation became nasty, coarse producer of the Barry O’Keefe blessed American and Australian musical language and dirty tricks were musical tried to contact Jacobson scene due to past performances in exchanged and negative comments Entertainment with the possibility of Les Miserables and Guys and Dolls, splattered all over the press. pooling resources and working on a but at the end of the day more likely Around this time, FMR released joint venture. In a 15 December known as the son of Australian rocker Rockin’ with Johnny O’Keefe and The Article in the Sydney Morning Herald Jimmy Barnes. Dee Jays on the Spin label, with the entitled Two rivals just wild about JO'K Not surprisingly the musical inclusion of 10 tracks by the Dee Jays James Erskine said that He (Jacobson) became a success. Like the 1986 Mini which in itself was a rarity and the first sent a message back via a third party, Series, Shout The story of Johnny time ever released on CD. The 2-CD- and that message was, ‘Get fucked’. O’Keefe, the musical was not only set also featured rare J.O’K tracks Kevin Jacobson is known to be a very responsible for rejuvenating the such as Am I Blue, Have I Told You tough but good businessman and, like memory of the Wild One but also Lately, That I Love You, By The Light most of his endeavours, had planned brought the music of J.O’K to a whole of The Silvery Moon and When The out his attack with military precision new generation of fans. With the Saint’s Go Marching In. Like FMR’s and his greatest accomplishment was success of the musical, the previous efforts all tracks were digitally yet to come. merchandise accompanying it also re-mastered. The fans were also After being the chairman of the started to flow. The baseball caps, rewarded with a CD booklet outlining establishment, it was no secret that key-rings, tee-shirts, teddy bears and the short career of Johnny O’Keefe the chances of Jacobson Entertain- coffee mugs could be purchased at and The Dee Jays as well as a short ment using Sydney’s Capitol theatre the theatre or via credit card from the description and history about each as the home for his musical would be souvenir program guide. It wasn’t long featured track. unquestionable. This is something thereafter that Jacobson entertain- By July of 2000, Jacobsen Barry O’Keefe had to find out the ment and Sony Music released an Entertainment became the dominant hard-way. original cast recorded soundtrack player in the musical war by seeking By August, Barry O’Keefe featuring 28 songs from the produc- exclusive use of assorted O'Keefe hits announced that the O’Keefe family tion. from within the music-publishing was indeed working on a musical Although the critics agree that sector of at least four major based on his brother’s life with David Campbell did do an amazing publishing houses. Of these four, the company Sports and Entertainment job as O’Keefe (in some cases a little Central Coast based Jewel Music was Limited and producer James Erskine. too good voice wise), Campbell’s one of these houses and holds the Within hours of Barry O’Keefe making understudy for the role of Johnny, publishing rights to the song Shout, the public statement Kevin Jacobson Peter Murphy, had done an equally if J.O’K’s highly regarded trademark hit. issued a counter-release stating that not better job at capturing the actual Jewel Music had given Jacobsen his production of Shout was still going raw energy that was- the Wild One. exclusive permission to use it, and ahead, only it would now open earlier Hot on the heals of the huge several other songs J.O’K had made and in Melbourne. success of the musical, Festival popular in Australia. This was a highly It has been written that the Mushroom Records released another specific deal that precludes perform- Jacobson’s decision to open earlier in 2-CD-set entitled The Wild One: His ance of the songs in other musicals Melbourne instead of Sydney was Greatest Hits (and other classics from based on the life of Johnny O'Keefe. most likely a tactical manoeuvre the era). This was perhaps seen as The only song Jacobson wanted designed to rule out any chance of FMR’s attempt to cash in on the but never got was (You Hit The Wrong the James Erskine produced/Barry musical’s success. It is also common Note) Billy Goat of which publishing O’Keefe blessed musical being play in knowledge that Festival regards the rights, along with a few other J.O’K either city. These tactics from the name Johnny O’Keefe as strictly hits, are still owned by Barry O’Keefe. Jacobson camp not only solidified its THEIR property. Festival has been In saying that however, Peermusic, production as the major Johnny known to be bitter and look down which owns the publishing rights for O’Keefe Musical, but also reaped the upon other people, especially rival the song Wild One, appears to be one rewards of being the first. It would record companies benefiting from the of the few music-publishing houses also become the benchmark for any O’Keefe name without their that have chosen not to go into any future attempts in making a musical involvement or blessing. There were

28 BIG BEAT OF THE FIFTIES The Wild One on stage with Dave Owens on Sax around 1958.

29 tracks on Festival’s latest offering such as Blue Bayou, The Game Of friends and associates painted the and this was a mix of J.O’K hits and Love, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, most honest, non biased version of other artists and their songs that had Hit The Road Jack and my personal the life of Johnny O’Keefe and as been featured in the musical. As an favourite of the whole CD is Wake Up Maureen O’Keefe put it, “the story added bonus, the second disc My Mind as it sounds good and the had to be told warts and all”. featured the first ‘Hidden Track’ ever lyrics are wonderful. This release from Although the book was originally to be featured on a J.O’K CD. the independent Canetoad label, its due to be released in March, one To r ub salt into FMR’s wounds an second J.O’K release and its 27th CD would think that the rescheduling old rival, the independent label at the time stacked up quality-wise release to February was to cash in on Canetoad Records, struck back with against, if not better than, some of the new growing interest of The Wild The Explosive Johnny O’Keefe. This the other major companies’ releases, One brought on by the musical. was a collection of 35 unreleased namely Festival’s Spin label. Besides the amount of quality rock’n’roll songs taken straight from One of the most anticipated J.O’K research that went into making the both private amateur recordings and biographies, Damian Johnstone’s The book, Damian with the help of J.O’K original studio recorded acetates of Wild One: The life and Times Of collector Jason Inmon also included a old Johnny O’Keefe show perform- Johnny O’Keefe was finally released to more detailed and expanded ances. Most of the songs have never the public on the 1st February. For all discography than any previous efforts. existed on any previous ‘official’ the fans disappointed with previous It is obvious that Damian Johnny O’Keefe recordings. This efforts in the telling of the Johnny Johnstone covered all his bases when made the collection worth-its-weight- O’Keefe story their wait was finally he set out to retell the Johnny O’Keefe in-gold as it was a chance to hear the over. Damian’s book was an easy story and in doing so he helped fill the wild one sing some classic rock tunes read, but never lacked in the detail void that was still remaining many such as School Day, Stagger Lee, department. He also never tried to years after J.O’K’s death. With this Good Golly Miss Molly, You Never Can waste our time in repeating everything book, we were finally presented with a Tell, Money and Do Wah Diddy Diddy that we already knew. Damian with better understanding as to who as well as other contemporary classics the help of J.O’K’s family, close Johnny O’Keefe was, what he was like

FEBRUARY 2002 29 behind the scenes told by people who possibility of doing a duet using where there, who experienced the another song. And it just so happens good, the bad, and the totally twisted there was a particular song laid in the side of The Wild One. festival vaults which still had all the It was around this time that The original separated track elements Unofficial Johnny O’Keefe web page needed to include Vicky’s new vocals accumulated the finances to break to create a new ‘duet’ version. away from a typical fan site and Although everybody showed become a major J.O’K resource on support with the project, including the the internet by becoming likes of John Laws, Pee Wee Wilson, www.johnnyokeefe.net and in the Alan Jones, Alan Dale, and even process JOKweb was developed, J.O’K’s ex-wife and children, every which was a small internet based attempt to find a site for the Johnny group determined to preserve the O’Keefe monument had come up memory of early Australian rock. with rejection after rejection. Everyone In May of 2001, JOKweb had a involved in the project, including the meeting with FMR with some sculptor Dr Kolozsy, was shocked proposals and new concepts when Waverley council (the town of regarding future J.O’K related J.O’K’s birth) rejected the proposal for material. Of all the new material a site to put the monument even after discussed, JOKweb came up with a Kolozsy offered to donate it. This concept that would use the latest DVD unbelievable decision from this technology (Digital Video Disc or council and other relevant Sydney Digital Versatile Disc). Although still councils have lead some people to only in its early stages of believe that an unhappy Barry development, the Johnny O’Keefe O’Keefe is playing a part in these Vicky O’Keefe continuing the DVD would be Festival Mushroom councils decisions. tradition. Records’ first major DVD release and By mid-2001, Things were starting would become the benchmark for to slow down for the year. The Johnny future DVD releases. Because of O’Keefe DVD project was put on hold JOKweb’s involvement in the until 2002. This was mostly due to development of the highly secretive Festival Mushroom’s involvement in a release it is sure to become the 50th Anniversary exhibition with the ultimate Johnny O’Keefe collectable. Powerhouse museum, which is One aspect to look at is that currently set for a December 2001 depending on the material available opening. there could be two DVD releases of In the August edition of Woman’s which J.O’K’s performance at Day, Vicky O’Keefe talked about the Brisbane’s Festival Hall in 1962 could death of her mother Marianne who be a possible inclusion. This not long before died after a long battle performance is rumoured to be the with cancer. She also officially stated most complete concert ever filmed of that there was indeed a duet with her The Wild One, and the last father in the works although no word performance of Johnny O’Keefe and as to what song it would be. After my the Dee Jays. meeting with festival in May, it looks At the very same meeting, the idea like the song chosen for the duet is a of a tribute album was discussed and JOK hit that he recorded twice in his with it, a special duet of Johnny career. No more hints now. O’Keefe and his daughter Vicky It was also around this time that singing Mockingbird in the style of the budget distributor Red X entertain- Nat King Cole/Natalie Cole ‘Unfor- ment licensed material from FMR to gettable’ duet. It was soon realised release the 3-CD-set The Great that Festival Mushroom and Vicky Johnny O’Keefe. For the $19.95 price O’Keefe had already been in talks it was a bargain due to the inclusion of about doing such a thing. But the the rarities Where the Action Is, My problem was because of technical Lady By The River, Soulshake, Sunday difficulties due to the recording Morning Coming Down, and Taste The techniques used to record the original Wine, all of which were only previously version featuring J.O’K, the available in the So Tough box-set. ‘Mockingbird’ duet was temporarily It seems that 2002–2005 will be scrapped. But it didn’t rule out the big years for not only all things Johnny

30 BIG BEAT OF THE FIFTIES O’Keefe but for Australian rock’n’roll in general. We have already been exposed to the ABC’s six-part documentary A Long Way To The Top and I have been told there are a few Australian biographical movies also in the works. Of these, rumour has it that the Leon Isackson/Jon Hayton book The Behind The Rock is going to be turned into a big budget Australian production adventures and made by the makers of the film of an Chopper. I have been told that the old Antipodean Sydney stadium will be re-created for the production. But we’ll have to see abroad how this all comes together. There has been a wave of 2001 tour, their new song (to be The controversial Johnny O’Keefe excellent tours through England released on Rollin’ Rock in 2002), Monument looks set to live in recently. Jumpin’ Jack Neal, the We’re Not Dead Yet, pokes gentle fun Queensland as part of the Wintersun original bass player from The at their own longetivity. Of course, Festival. J.O’K’s ex manager John Bluecaps, rocked the night away at their repertoire includes not only those Hansen and Vicky O’Keefe are said to the Tennessee Club in August. Despite fabulous Comets classics and their have been working on the funding for not having performed in public for a newer recordings, but also songs such the completion of the monument and number of years, Jack did not as Now Dig This and Eat Your Heart for finding the site. disappoint the legions of Gene Out Annie that Joey, Dick, and In regards to future J.O’K releases, Vincent fans present. Ably assisted by Marshall recorded as The Jodimars. I have been told that FMR are planing some great local musicians, including England seems to be in the grip of to release another 3-CD box-set, Graham Fenton on vocals, the club an 80s revival over recent years with although the DVD project will be the rocked to classic after classic tours from The Polecats, The Rockats, eye opener. If JOKweb is involved it Bluecaps style. Brian Setzer and, more recently, Dave will become the benchmark that FMR Another set of recent visitors were Phillips & The Hot Rod Gang. I is hoping it will be. I would also like to The Comets. I caught up with these managed to catch Dave Phillips twice, see re-releases of all of J.O’K’s live rockin’ legends at Bletchley in an old at Tennessee Club in North London material, like the previously released time dance hall that has seen the likes and at the Chicken Shack in Milton LPs Live In Concert, At The Waltzing of Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent in Keynes. His show is the wildest, full of Matilda, Live On The Gold Coast and days of yore. This was the original energy and power. His version of if available his live performance at Rock Around The Clock hit-making Gene Vincent’s Teenage Partner has Sunbury in 1973. I would also like to combo. The band’s current line up to be seen to be believed as he breaks see Canetoad Records release some comprises Dick Richards drums, Joey down in sobs during the verses and more rare and unexpected JOK Ambrose sax, Marshall Lytle bass, then screams out the chorus. Of releases. Oh well, we can only hope. Johnny Grande on piano and Franny course the song everyone was yelling Ed. Check-out page 43 Beecher lead guitar. Guest comet for was Tainted Love. At the Chicken for more info on J.O’K. Jacko Buddin (formerly of UK band Shack the band performed that one Flying Saucers) has been on vocals as an encore after pretending to with the band for a decade now. forget how it went. The Hot Rod Gang Unfortunately Joey Ambrose had perform brilliantly, Mark Harman to cut his visit short due to some sporting a sticker proclaiming Elvis Is health problems. The sax man from God on his guitar and Rob Tyler support group, The Alabama providing a solid beat on drums, the Slammers, took his place onstage. three piece combo rock. The Alabama Slammers, who looked Dave Phillips & The Hot Rod Gang resplendent in their matching outfits, are looking for an Australian tour, so if are a seven piece band incorporating there are any serious offers, get in a solid brass section which plays touch and I’ll help you make contact. straight up drivin’ rockin’ music. However, the highlight of the Bob Hume. evening was, of course, Bill Hayley’s [email protected] good ol’ boys, The Comets them- selves. This was the third time I’d seen Bob Hume, living in England for The Comets and each time I’ve been the past 3 years, presented the 6RTR blown away. There were a number of FM Rock Rattle’n’Roll show for 17 tongue in cheek references to their years. ages – the tour was called the Viagra Ed.

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