Johnny O'Keefe
1935-1978

First! Australian Rock ‘n’ Roller to release a ‘single’ disc

First! Australian rocker to write and record his own compositions

First! Australian Rock ‘n’ roll single on the charts!

First! Australian Rock album and the only artist in rock history to have
continuous record product in catalogue in Australia over 40 years!

First! Australian Rock ‘n’ roll singer to receive a gold record award

First! Rock ‘n’ Roll singer in Australia to sell 1 million, 1 & half million,
2 million discs during his lifetime
First! Australian Rock ‘n’ roll artist to sign an American record deal

First! Australian rock act to tour the US

First! Australian rock artist to have his own National radio show

First! Australian rock ‘n’ roll performer to have a national television (weekly)
program (4 different series from the late 50’s to the mid 70’s)

First! Australian performer to entertain Australian and US troops in Vietnam

taken from shoutthemusical.com.au

In January 2000, well known Australian Sculptor, Dr. Alex Sandor Kolozsy went to work on a 3 metre sculpture of one of Australian's most loved and successful performers, 
The Wild One, Johnny O'Keefe.

By December last year the sculpture was nearing completion, and certain parties who had previously offered to help raise sponsorship and secure the site for the monument pulled out at the very last minute, leaving Dr Kolozsy desperately seeking a site for the monument and additional funding himself.

The Original Site proposal was to be the Sydney suburb of Bondi, Johnny O'Keefe's Birthplace.  However, rejection soon followed as Waverley Council and it's Committee decided it didn't want any monument of Johnny O'Keefe at Bondi. It is so very sad that the town of his birth doesn't want to recognize one of its own son's achievements by means of a monument even when it's presented to them as a "gift".

Johnny O'Keefe was a very proud Australian, and fought long and hard to get the Australian entertainment industry on it's feet and noticed. 

As it stands, there is no official site for the Johnny O'Keefe monument. There is a 3 metre wax clay sculpture still in workshop that is slowly melting from the summer heat. A RUBBER CASTING MOULD is in desperate need and will cost $15,000, as well as $85,000 for the FOUNDRY costs e.g, base, foundation and transport.

There are new sponsors on hand to help pay the cost, but only on the condition that a suitable SITE is found.

It is hoped that the J.O'K Sculpture will be finished as
 a Federation project for July/August 2001.


THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP!!!
Do you have a suggestion as to where the monument 
to the great J.O'K should be?
Or 
Sign the Guestbook to share your views on the monument 
for Australian's King of  Rock 'n' Roll.

Last Updated April 2001