There was never anyone else quite like the great J O'K, and there never will be. He was definitely the greatest and most enthusiastic entertainer Australia has ever known, and to see him in person was a mind blowing experience. He had no trouble keeping his audience involved and rocking for the entire time he performed! What a wonderful Aussie legend! RIP Australia's King of Rock.
So to all Americans and other people I say+you want to know and understand why it is we set pay such respect and love to our heroes: research an Australian television program from long ago it is cold this is your life and is absolutely the most wonderful brilliant tribute we can pay to a hero's
just watched this tonight and got a bit teary watching johnny get teary....he had his ups and downs but at heart was a decent and caring man....bought back so many memories, and i have to say Thank You to JO'K for all the memories i have of my young days
I have always felt that JO'K was largely forgotten by Aussie showbiz. What everybody needs to remember that Johnny began this! HE was the reason the Australian Music Industry got off the ground!
One of the great shows on Australian TV. I used to watch this religiously every Sunday night. There were so many great stories. I'm very happy to see it is on UA-cam.
if there is one performer that the Australian Music industry owes a huge thank you too , its J O K, thank you for believing in Australian music , thank you for leading the way and opening doors for Australian music , when everyone else said no , Johnny said YEAH and lead from the start Thank you for everything you have done john,
What a fantastic musical legacy Johnny left for us. Pioneered Aussie Rock'n' Roll and pop more inspirationally than any other. His aptitude and instinct for the formula of a great recording was virtually faultless. His 1958 cover of the Casuals "So Tough" is perhaps the supreme example. I've never heard a better Aussie rock/pop recording ..........
Never knew about JOK apart from the name, but remember all his songs from my Dad, I actually thought he was an American singer, amazing that an Australian singer can produce music like he did, his style reminds me a lot of Bill Haley. It's clear to see from this video too what an amazingly humble and kind person he was. For me this was a great introduction, flashback and instilled an instant sense of respect for his legacy in me.
In 1978 I was waiting in a shopping centre in Whyalla SA for a shop to open, my daughter being only 3 months old. These 2 men walked up to me and my sisters-in-law and started chatting to us. Me being me I said to one of them You look a lot like Johnny O’Keefe, and to my big surprise he picked up my hand kissed it and said I am Johnny O’Keefe. I didn’t know what to say except oh my God I won your record “She Wears My Ring” when I was about 15 years old. He was so gracious and Gently spoken but about 3 weeks later in the early hours of the morning 1 of my patients told me the news flash that Johnny O’KEEFE had just died, I was so saddened I just cried. RIP
My mum took us to the recording of this show and I was 12 years old, I need to go to the bathroom during a commercial break and met JOK in the hallway, I said 'Hi' and he shook my hand. My mum after the show got his autograph which I still have.
I love JOK and I don't think he is recognised as much as he should be Jonny O'Keefe is an Australian Rock n Roll pioneer. No one will really know why he committed suicide in October 1978 but his suicide/death was not in vain because he has been fondly remembered ever since. RIP Jonny O'Keefe.❤️❤️❤️❤️
I gave up smoking because of J'O.K. I was sitting in a spa, had just smoked a joint- lit a ciggie. Thought " my lungs feel heavy, I must give up" Then "Right Now" started up on the radio. Right now now nowna now. So I did. I gave up right then. I flung the ashtray into the garden, and said O.K., now I don't smoke. And I haven't. Cigarettes, that is. 13 years since.
Bayville need to understand-even the most famous music star-is humbled and belittled-buy the respect and gratitude the Australian people show to him-it's like he never expected to be a god but because of his action and love for our country that is what he became and will forever be!.
He used to perform at the Playroom quite regularly on the Gold Coast. I was way underage but used to go there and loved his shows. Have never forgotten this time of my life. I feel privledged that I was able to see see and enjoy his shows and great talent. A very sad time when he passed.
Oh how watching this took me back, it's 2.40 am and my eyes are leaking for some reason and i should be asleep but it doesn't matter because i feel so good. Thank you again Mr. Johnny O' Keefe for the rock!. Peace.
He was Australia’s Elvis great entertainer I missed this when it was on. So glad with new technology I can watch it now. Met him at Hadley’s Hotel in Tasmania love you Johnny R.I.P. ❤❤
His nephew is Andrew O'keefe. I wasn't alive when this happened but i remember as a kid watching his story on tv. Hes definitely a forgotten icon in our country
I've never heard of Johnny until this vid in 2021....i wish he would have cracked the UK.....we missed out here...but I can see he had been a big success..and I felt his joy of success.everybody around him knew he'd made it in rock...and was a teenage idol....and not an idle teenager..
A truly remarkable man who became Australia's king of Rock 'n' Roll.... Jonny O'Keefe had the stamina to keep getting up, dusting himself off and going for it again, not once but many, many times.... I always and to this day admire Johnny for his dedication to making people happy in every walk of life..... I was in Charters Towers at the Show Grounds in 1968 when he was doing the shows and he could be heard clearly across the entire area, man had this powerful vocals that sent chills up my spine, his voice still does when I hear his songs.... Johnny O'Keefe will always be "The Wild One" rightly so.... Johnny O'Keefe put Australia on the map in the music business and is a true legend of rock 'n' roll..... I remember this and it was a great tribute to Johnny O'Keefe..... " I Thank you " Johnny for starting things off in this wonderful country of ours and setting the bench make toward greatness, you are one guy with a great deal of gusto and intelligence, you lived a full life..... Thanks for this post .......
Unfortunately i never got to meet Johnny O'Keefe but i've never forgotten how he opened my eyes in the early sixties! I could ramble on for hours but i won't and will simply say... Johnny O' Keefe i was very young but you alone opened my eyes and ears to rock and roll at a very early age and made it easier for me to accept or transform from the late fifties into the sixties and by the age of twelve (1963) i was rocking and very aware of my surroundings while my old man waltzed around the lounge by himself? hard for him to accept the radical changes i expect! For interests sake by 1964 many Aussie rock bands, soloists and instrumentalists appeared on the music scene and made it difficult for many previous artists. A major concern for the young, including me was the fact many parents from the "fifties" attempted the same parenting skills learned in the fifties. They failed! Why... you know why if lived in the sixties when a teenager! There was a definite radical change in young minds thinking! I'm not sure what caused this though? Then again i STRICTLY used my parenting skills learned in the sixties upon my children and guess what they turned out real good but their drug use and alcohol use disturbs me? ONLY JOKING! LOL Enjoy the music people and yes i did ramble on! My apologies! Peace.
My father used to suffer every time he heard John sing insisting that he couldn't sing in tune now that I am 70 I may have to agree with Dad, O'Keeffe hit some dud notes occasionally.
Wonderful to see they kept this clip of Johnny on This Is Your Life mind you I don't know that Johnny is overall impressed by it all. He was actually a very humble man and didn't like a lot of fuss; but in sight of this he is gracious....
I used to sell J O'K newspapers :D His 2nd wife had a shop on Oxford St Paddington, across from Victoria Barracks, a real nice man (& a good tipper too). RIP Legend!!
After this he would have drunk a bottle of bourbon & a big snort of speed, he was part of my teenage years, this man was a legend & gave us baby boomer Aussies a home grown rock star, like so many entertainers he did not see old age but people like this don't seem to know any other way they simply burn out. he was not all that good looking, not the best voice but he was intelligent enough to know how to use his talent, and he did it well..
Brian Critchley I was a kid, but I remember when he died in '78. You're right, JOK was a full-on pedal to the metal passionate performer. They didn't call him the Wild One for nothing. JOK was a force of nature, and clearly a good family man too.
To all-americans I say research Alicia Evelyn -say how she wrote a song for one of our greatest-white privilege men-see how she loved and respected him-5 skin colour married not to him or to her play simply loved and respected each other.
my dear sons we live here we dont need to go down the rabbit hole , pitch a tent on the beach and show your papers you are fair dinkum true blue and Australian Born and Bred
At around 18:20, 20:05 on the video, MW mentions Johnny is about to meet someone he wouldn't expect to see here... then the video jumps forward about 20 seconds. Anyone remember what happened during that time?
ok..JOK wasnt the most handsome guy around ..he didnt have the greatest voice ...but nobody had more drive or more charisma ....you will allways be the greatest JOK
The other parties involved with him in that 1960 car smash, his friends, a man and a then pregnant woman were conspicuously absent - nearly killed them both and the woman miscarried.
Maybe. It's just that I've heard quite a bit of comment that he was a kinda selfish and reckless dude - but I wasn't there, so I probably shouldn't speak ill of the dead. :-)
The composer of JOK's song's is ...Alicia Evelyn. I think this is how her name is spelt. R.I.P. John, gone to soon. the ultimate entertainer best ever in Australian history.
Here it is, January 2024, and your still the king, never forgotten
There was never anyone else quite like the great
J O'K, and there never will be. He was definitely the greatest and most enthusiastic entertainer Australia has ever known, and to see him in person was a mind blowing experience. He had no trouble keeping his audience involved and rocking for the entire time he performed! What a wonderful Aussie legend! RIP Australia's King of Rock.
So to all Americans and other people I say+you want to know and understand why it is we set pay such respect and love to our heroes: research an Australian television program from long ago it is cold this is your life and is absolutely the most wonderful brilliant tribute we can pay to a hero's
Johnny was a legend.
Australia's Elvis.
Gone but not forgotten.
just watched this tonight and got a bit teary watching johnny get teary....he had his ups and downs but at heart was a decent and caring man....bought back so many memories, and i have to say Thank You to JO'K for all the memories i have of my young days
I have always felt that JO'K was largely forgotten by Aussie showbiz. What everybody needs to remember that Johnny began this! HE was the reason the Australian Music Industry got off the ground!
I remember watching this episode ...he was a true blue Aussie 🇦🇺 legend
It's difficult to believe that Johnny O'Keefe is only 40 years of age here.
One of the great shows on Australian TV. I used to watch this religiously every Sunday night. There were so many great stories. I'm very happy to see it is on UA-cam.
if there is one performer that the Australian Music industry owes a huge thank you too , its J O K, thank you for believing in Australian music , thank you for leading the way and opening doors for Australian music , when everyone else said no , Johnny said YEAH and lead from the start Thank you for everything you have done john,
R.I.P Johnny O'Keefe you bloody Legend.
What a fantastic musical legacy Johnny left for us. Pioneered Aussie Rock'n' Roll and pop more inspirationally than any other. His aptitude and instinct for the formula of a great recording was virtually faultless. His 1958 cover of the Casuals "So Tough" is perhaps the supreme example. I've never heard a better Aussie rock/pop recording ..........
Never knew about JOK apart from the name, but remember all his songs from my Dad, I actually thought he was an American singer, amazing that an Australian singer can produce music like he did, his style reminds me a lot of Bill Haley. It's clear to see from this video too what an amazingly humble and kind person he was. For me this was a great introduction, flashback and instilled an instant sense of respect for his legacy in me.
In 1978 I was waiting in a shopping centre in Whyalla SA for a shop to open, my daughter being only 3 months old. These 2 men walked up to me and my sisters-in-law and started chatting to us. Me being me I said to one of them You look a lot like Johnny O’Keefe, and to my big surprise he picked up my hand kissed it and said I am Johnny O’Keefe. I didn’t know what to say except oh my God I won your record “She Wears My Ring” when I was about 15 years old. He was so gracious and Gently spoken but about 3 weeks later in the early hours of the morning 1 of my patients told me the news flash that Johnny O’KEEFE had just died, I was so saddened I just cried. RIP
What a lovely meeting - but what a shock that would have been for you - to hear of his deaf so shortly after.
My mum took us to the recording of this show and I was 12 years old, I need to go to the bathroom during a commercial break and met JOK in the hallway, I said 'Hi' and he shook my hand. My mum after the show got his autograph which I still have.
I love JOK and I don't think he is recognised as much as he should be Jonny O'Keefe is an Australian Rock n Roll pioneer. No one will really know why he committed suicide in October 1978 but his suicide/death was not in vain because he has been fondly remembered ever since.
RIP Jonny O'Keefe.❤️❤️❤️❤️
JOK Died in October 1978 but he won't die in my lifetime i met him he was a great man .
I was a kid, he become part of me. A part of me that I'm now proud of.
I gave up smoking because of J'O.K. I was sitting in a spa, had just smoked a joint- lit a ciggie. Thought " my lungs feel heavy, I must give up" Then "Right Now" started up on the radio. Right now now nowna now. So I did. I gave up right then. I flung the ashtray into the garden, and said O.K., now I don't smoke. And I haven't. Cigarettes, that is. 13 years since.
WELL DONE, HON!
Wow that voice... Pure gutsy gravel rock n rock sound . Rip Johnny o keefe. The wild one ...
Hi there.. how are you doing? Hope you are fine and staying safe over there??
Bayville need to understand-even the most famous music star-is humbled and belittled-buy the respect and gratitude the Australian people show to him-it's like he never expected to be a god but because of his action and love for our country that is what he became and will forever be!.
Fantastic seeing Johnny on this show with his family & friends, thanks for uploading it, really lovely
Jok was my idle ,I have every song of his , still play all of them 40 years later,
He used to perform at the Playroom quite regularly on the Gold Coast. I was way underage but used to go there and loved his shows. Have never forgotten this time of my life. I feel privledged that I was able to see see and enjoy his shows and great talent. A very sad time when he passed.
Oh how watching this took me back, it's 2.40 am and my eyes are leaking for some reason and i should be asleep but it doesn't matter because i feel so good. Thank you again Mr. Johnny O' Keefe for the rock!. Peace.
~ Australian Rock n Roll Pioneer ~
Makes You Proud to be an Aussie
He was Australia’s Elvis great entertainer I missed this when it was on. So glad with new technology I can watch it now. Met him at Hadley’s Hotel in Tasmania love you Johnny R.I.P. ❤❤
Johnny 0'Keefe,the original true pioneer of Rock & Roll in Australia. 🇦🇺
His nephew is Andrew O'keefe. I wasn't alive when this happened but i remember as a kid watching his story on tv. Hes definitely a forgotten icon in our country
Johnny was always just so humble, a truly lovely bloke, miss him heaps.
JOK a big part of my childhood
The real deal
Thank you for uploading a great piece of Aussie music history 👌💪
I still spin JOK music on my radio show.
very popular and one of the most requested artists.
Watching from Australia :)
Thanks for the memories🎶🎵☮️
Thank you for this ! Need to know more of the History of this man! I was in The Vickie O'Keefe Band his daughters band in 83
I've never heard of Johnny until this vid in 2021....i wish he would have cracked the UK.....we missed out here...but I can see he had been a big success..and I felt his joy of success.everybody around him knew he'd made it in rock...and was a teenage idol....and not an idle teenager..
Worth searching out his songs on UA-cam.
This is great when you see a line up of great Aussie (and Kiwi ) talent who meet him at the end of the show. ....
A truly remarkable man who became Australia's king of Rock 'n' Roll.... Jonny O'Keefe had the stamina to keep getting up, dusting himself off and going for it again, not once but many, many times.... I always and to this day admire Johnny for his dedication to making people happy in every walk of life..... I was in Charters Towers at the Show Grounds in 1968 when he was doing the shows and he could be heard clearly across the entire area, man had this powerful vocals that sent chills up my spine, his voice still does when I hear his songs.... Johnny O'Keefe will always be "The Wild One" rightly so.... Johnny O'Keefe put Australia on the map in the music business and is a true legend of rock 'n' roll..... I remember this and it was a great tribute to Johnny O'Keefe.....
" I Thank you " Johnny for starting things off in this wonderful country of ours and setting the bench make toward greatness, you are one guy with a great deal of gusto and intelligence, you lived a full life..... Thanks for this post .......
Hi,how are you doing,how is the weather?
Unfortunately i never got to meet Johnny O'Keefe but i've never forgotten how he opened my eyes in the early sixties! I could ramble on for hours but i won't and will simply say... Johnny O' Keefe i was very young but you alone opened my eyes and ears to rock and roll at a very early age and made it easier for me to accept or transform from the late fifties into the sixties and by the age of twelve (1963) i was rocking and very aware of my surroundings while my old man waltzed around the lounge by himself? hard for him to accept the radical changes i expect! For interests sake by 1964 many Aussie rock bands, soloists and instrumentalists appeared on the music scene and made it difficult for many previous artists. A major concern for the young, including me was the fact many parents from the "fifties" attempted the same parenting skills learned in the fifties. They failed! Why... you know why if lived in the sixties when a teenager! There was a definite radical change in young minds thinking! I'm not sure what caused this though? Then again i STRICTLY used my parenting skills learned in the sixties upon my children and guess what they turned out real good but their drug use and alcohol use disturbs me? ONLY JOKING! LOL Enjoy the music people and yes i did ramble on! My apologies! Peace.
A relevant ramble - thanks.
@@allymayful Cheers, must have been my bourbon night but stand by what i rambled. lol Peace.
Fantastic
My father used to suffer every time he heard John sing insisting that he couldn't sing in tune now that I am 70 I may have to agree with Dad, O'Keeffe hit some dud notes occasionally.
I saw Johnny towards the end of his life, in Perth at the Raffles Hotel, probably 1975, but he was still great.
Terrific bloke sad when herd his passing 1 year after elvis passing
I am a jok fan , have been for the last 50 years still play his music and watch old clips,
This is your life for Johnny O'Keefe is my way of watching his life story over and over again.
A great tribute to an amazing artist, one of our own who helped pioneer the Australian music industry. Well done Johnny.
Hi there.. how are you doing? Hope you are fine and staying safe over there??
Lol the cigarette at the start... a different time indeed! His nephew Andrew looks so much like him!
Wonderful to see they kept this clip of Johnny on This Is Your Life mind you I don't know that Johnny is overall impressed by it all. He was actually a very humble man and didn't like a lot of fuss; but in sight of this he is gracious....
The man who began it all “The Wild One”.
John was a champion bloke of whom gave his very best and more 2 his friends and fans. We still remember you mate.
She’s My Baby is excellent-one of the iconic songs we grew up with, RIP JOK.
He was great 👦 he had a good great life
John was very charismatic.
Men hugging when greeting each other. Unheard of in the 1970's!
Great memories of great times. Lovely to see so many familiar faces.
And just like that 3 years later he was gone, one amazing man
Hi,how are you doing,how is the weather?
Good entertainer loved him and one of Australia's greats.
Hi there.. how are you doing? Hope you are fine and staying safe over there??
2021 watching J O"K
Hi there.. how are you doing? Hope you are fine and staying safe over there??
Beautiful sing! ❤️🙏❤️
Me vienen a la mente bellos recuerdos de mi niñez!! 👏👏👏😘❤️
Hi,how are you doing,how is the weather?
Thanks for posting all these great old memories mate.
Johnny the King -- Ohh Yeah
Alway's remember Our Johnny O'Keefe
I used to sell J O'K newspapers :D
His 2nd wife had a shop on Oxford St Paddington, across from Victoria Barracks, a real nice man (& a good tipper too).
RIP Legend!!
I used to play golf with Johnny Rebb he was the gentleman of rock and roll and a very nice person to be around
Legend!!!
After this he would have drunk a bottle of bourbon & a big snort of speed, he was part of my teenage years, this man was a legend & gave us baby boomer Aussies a home grown rock star, like so many entertainers he did not see old age but people like this don't seem to know any other way they simply burn out. he was not all that good looking, not the best voice but he was intelligent enough to know how to use his talent, and he did it well..
Brian Critchley I was a kid, but I remember when he died in '78. You're right, JOK was a full-on pedal to the metal passionate performer. They didn't call him the Wild One for nothing. JOK was a force of nature, and clearly a good family man too.
had tears in my eyes and now everybody can see where his nephew Andrew gets his looks from
They do look alike dont they
top bloke top songs
i was 4 years old....but somehow i remember jok.....like people who adored the pelvis....
This was great to listen to and watch, he was a great singer. Such a shame that drugs took him too
Hi,how are you doing,how is the weather?
those outfits depict 70s perfectly
The musicians at the end - OMG!!!!! But Johnny's Mum wore it great.
Vale Bob Rogers, who just died at age 97.
my dear sons the river runs deep
I just looked up a book and JOK DIED 3 YEARS AFTER THIS PROGRAM WAS AIRED PITY IT DID NOT GO FOR A HOUR .
To all-americans I say research Alicia Evelyn -say how she wrote a song for one of our greatest-white privilege men-see how she loved and respected him-5 skin colour married not to him or to her play simply loved and respected each other.
ahhh....the 70's, just suckin on a ciggie wherever ya like....gold...
A great AUSSI
40 yrs ago, JOK @ 40. Today would be 80.
my dear sons we live here we dont need to go down the rabbit hole , pitch a tent on the beach and show your papers you are fair dinkum true blue and Australian Born and Bred
Shut the fuck up
Great to see Maureen Lynch from Bridgewater 3516 too
She was so good for Johnny. It makes it doubly sad that he died so young.
Lovely!!!
And 'Wild One' the Iggy Pop hit was written by JOK and band
Great song, ever sung it in concert?
@@Gezza1967 yes indeed
@@ChoirboysOfficial thank you, I’m an old fan from way back😁👍
At around 18:20, 20:05 on the video, MW mentions Johnny is about to meet someone he wouldn't expect to see here... then the video jumps forward about 20 seconds. Anyone remember what happened during that time?
Yes. That was strange.
Australia's Elvis.
Elvis? Elvis could only hope to be America's JO'K
Cliff Richard anybody ? still alive and Quiffing.and a bachelor boy..
When kids were seen but not heard!
love this cat
a typical mike willisee i am so good, interview with the king of rock , who made it happen in australia thank god for you Johnny O'Keefe
Hi there.. how are you doing? Hope you are fine and staying safe over there??
ok..JOK wasnt the most handsome guy around ..he didnt have the greatest voice ...but nobody had more drive or more charisma ....you will allways be the greatest JOK
The other parties involved with him in that 1960 car smash, his friends, a man and a then pregnant woman were conspicuously absent - nearly killed them both and the woman miscarried.
Only a handshake at the end for the barrister brother.
weskitten almost ignored him.
weskitten 2 handshakes in fact.
weskitten Not a nice man, that J O'K!
Seemed nice enough and warm to everyone, except with his brother. A bit of distance b/n them perhaps?
Maybe. It's just that I've heard quite a bit of comment that he was a kinda selfish and reckless dude - but I wasn't there, so I probably shouldn't speak ill of the dead. :-)
he died like only 3 years later
I'm surprised brian Henderson wasn't there
a river somewhere pristine and pure worth of the fly master
I guess Johnny got all the hair of the family !
Jok would have been a great inspiration to Jimmy Barnes.
Only 40 years old ?!?!
He had the saddest looking eyes on that show....always wondered what he was hiding
@Shedrach morrison and you need to know this because ??
@Shedrach morrison 🐥
@Shedrach morrison 🐥
i thank you australia for all of this happiness , who wrote this song?
+Andrew Hibberd Watch this is JOK life and youll find out .
The composer of JOK's song's is ...Alicia Evelyn. I think this is how her name is spelt. R.I.P. John, gone to soon. the ultimate entertainer best ever in Australian history.
i was a good student at waverly
Shut up asshat.
poor bugger was dead three years later
Ironically - he died at the same age as Elvis - 2 of the pioneers of R 'n R.
my dear aussie sons five there are bones that rest here that are worthy of digging a new trench
Since when was Clybucca on the gold coast?
If only they saw what his nephew turned out like
whatever happened to this show?, i haven't seen it in a long time
It died with Mike "The Wanker" Willesee's career.
dear sons what do you think of bob and dolly dwyer the marlin fishermen family
Chewed up and spat out by the Australian music industry. So sad. That was the price of fame, drugs and breakdowns and early death