AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2000
Fed: Johnny O Keefe musical to tour nationally
By Karen Michelmore
SYDNEY, Aug 14 AAP - Australia's king of rock and roll, the late Johnny O'Keefe will
be immortalised in a stage musical, it was announced today.
The show opens in Melbourne in December, before touring Australia and New Zealand,
Jacobsen Entertainment announced today.
O'Keefe, described as The Wild One, is possibly the greatest entertainer in Australian history.
The musical - The Wild One - will be produced by O'Keefe's former producer Kevin Jacobsen
and Col Joye, who performed alongside the star.
The family of the late singer, who died in 1978, today said they had been involved
in developing the musical for two years.
"The stage musical is based on and celebrates the life, time and music of Johnny O'Keefe
and his era of rock and roll music," his brother, Justice Barry O'Keefe said today.
The songs featured in the musical include top hits from his 25-year career such as
Wild One, Shout!, Sing Sing Sing, She Wears My Ring and Ooh Poo Pah Doo.
Born John Michael O'Keefe in Sydney in 1935, Johnny O'Keefe's career took off in the
mid to late 1950s, when he pioneered rock'n'roll in Australia, alongside American born
entrepreneur Lee Gordon.
He is also famous for practically single-handedly establishing the Australian record
industry and fighting to promote Australian talent.
His efforts paved the way for artists such as Olivia Newton John and Peter Allen.
The story of the birth of rock'n'roll, The Wild One, The Johnny O'Keefe Musical will
open at the Victorian Arts Centre State Theatre in Melbourne on December 26.
It will travel to Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Newcastle and Brisbane before
heading to New Zealand.
AAP km/ah/cjh
KEYWORD: O'KEEFE
2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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