Johnny O'Keefe - Rocker.Legend.Wild One...new book release by Jeff Apter

JOHNNY O’KEEFE: Rocker. Legend. Wild One. by Jeff Apter 

The colourful, warts and all biography of the Australian musical icon.

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. 

•         The definitive story of Australia’s first king of rock ‘n’ roll, a man simply known as JO’K.

•         The writer had the full support of the JO’K Trust and the O’Keefe family.

•         Colourful and nostalgic evocation of the life and times of an icon.

•         Perfect for Father’s Day promotions!

•         Did you know there is a Johnny O’Keefe statue in Coolangatta? Also that Andrew ‘Deal or No        Deal’ O’Keefe is Johnny’s nephew?

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.

 For any further information or to arrange an interview/extract please contact Jaki Arthur at Hachette publicity on jaki.arthur@hachette.com.au or 02-8248 0864

Division:    ORION

Imprint:     Hachette Australia

Pub. Date : 30 July 2013

ISBN:        9780733629341

Price:         $35.00 

Format:     Paperback - C Format

Extent:      352 pages

Tuesday 6 August

6 – 7pm                CONFIRMED EVENT: An evening with Jeff Apter

National Biography Week

Host of event: State Library NSW - Tuesdays at the Library program

Venue: State Library NSW

Venue name and address: State Library NSW

Venue capacity: 70

Ticket price: free

Event organiser: Samantha Hagan (9273 1766)