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Aussie Rock-Johnny O'Keefe Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about Australia's first Rock Idol. While England had Tommy Steele and the USA had Elvis, we in Australia had Johnny O'Keefe (The Wild One). Here are ten questions about his career as an early rock icon.

A multiple-choice quiz by Desimac. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Desimac

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
364,275

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
118

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Johnny O'Keefe's first recording, which was his second single release in 1957, was a cover of which "Pat Boone" song? Hint

April Love

Don't Forbid Me

Friendly Persuasion

Love Letters In The Sand

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which song, given to Johnny by Bill Haley and later recorded by him, was Johnny's first single release? Hint

R.O.C.K.

Razzle Dazzle

ABC Boogie

You Hit the Wrong Note Billy Goat

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What was Johnny's band through to the early '60s named? Hint

The Dee-Jays

The R-Jays

The O-Jays

The Blue Jays

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Dave Owens and John Greenan wrote a song after a brawl at a dance. What was its title? Hint

The Wild One

Cobra

So Tough

Saturday

5. In late 1959 Johnny covered a minor (at the time) rhythm and blues tune. This song became the one most associated with Johnny O'Keefe in Australia throughout his career. What was the title of this song? Hint

What'd I Say

Hippy Hippy Shake

It's Late

Shout

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Johnny ventured to the USA in 1959 where he was billed as the Boomerang Kid. He recorded which hit song for Liberty Records in Los Angeles? Hint

That'll Be Alright

It's Too Late

What Da Ya Know

She's My Baby

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. On most of Johnny's recordings he was backed by a male quartet known as The ----------? Hint

Delltones

Cleftones

Harptones

Monotones

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The late Fifties saw Johnny with his own radio show call "Rock Time", soon followed by a Saturday night TV show. What was it called? Hint

Six-O-Clock Rock

Teen Time

Bandstand

Calling all Teens

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In 1962 Johnny commenced his new TV show on the 7 Network (in those days mostly Sydney and Melbourne). It was called "The Johnny O'Keefe Show". In 1963 it was renamed to reflect his current hit. What was the hit called? Hint

Hallelujah

Sing, Sing, Sing

Party Time

Rock, Rock, Rock

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Johnny's biggest hit was a double sided affair. The "B" side was "Right Now" and the "A" side was? Hint

Shake Baby Shake

You'll Never Cherish A Love So True

Move Baby Move

I'm Counting On You

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Johnny O'Keefe's first recording, which was his second single release in 1957, was a cover of which "Pat Boone" song?

Answer: Love Letters In The Sand

"Love Letters in The Sand" was recorded in May 1957 but not released till August. A number one hit for Pat Boone in the USA.

2. Which song, given to Johnny by Bill Haley and later recorded by him, was Johnny's first single release?

Answer: You Hit the Wrong Note Billy Goat

"You Hit the Wrong Note Billy Goat" was Johnny's first record to make the charts in Sydney. It did not make much impact in the rest of Australia. Reportedly the single eventually sold in excess of 40,000 copies.

3. What was Johnny's band through to the early '60s named?

Answer: The Dee-Jays

Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays. The R-Jays were the band for Dig Richards, another pioneer Aussie Rocker, The Blue Jays were the backup band for '60s rocker, Tony Worsley and The O-Jays were an American Soul group. The famous lineup of the DEE JAYS was: Lou Casch-guitar, Keith Williams-bass, John "Catfish" Purser-drums, Johnny Greenan and Dave Owens-saxophone. Occasionally they were joined by Warren Carr on piano.

4. Dave Owens and John Greenan wrote a song after a brawl at a dance. What was its title?

Answer: The Wild One

"The Wild One". This song became Johnny's first real chart entry from an EP called "Shakin' at The Stadium". The song was a minor hit for Jerry Allison, the drummer/songwriter of Buddy Holly and The Crickets who recorded it under the name of "Ivan". The song became more widely known when recorded under its alternate title "Real Wild Child" by Iggy Pop in 1986.

Answer: Shout

"Shout". A top fifty on the pop charts in the USA for the Isely Brothers, covered almost note for note by Johnny O'Keefe and The Dee Jays.

6. Johnny ventured to the USA in 1959 where he was billed as the Boomerang Kid. He recorded which hit song for Liberty Records in Los Angeles?

Answer: She's My Baby

"She's My Baby". Released in January 1960, it became his first Australian Number one hit. The record sold around 100,000 copies in the USA but that was over a long period so the sales were not enough to crack the Billboard or Cashbox charts.

7. On most of Johnny's recordings he was backed by a male quartet known as The ----------?

Answer: Delltones

The Delltones, Aussie hit makers in their own right. They backed Johnny on many of his recordings.

8. The late Fifties saw Johnny with his own radio show call "Rock Time", soon followed by a Saturday night TV show. What was it called?

Answer: Six-O-Clock Rock

"Six O'clock Rock" ran for a few years on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission) network.

Answer: Sing, Sing, Sing

"Sing, Sing, Sing", this was taken from the title of John's 1963 hit, "Sing". Originally released in Australia as the B side of a Jackie Wilson hit, "Heart". The song was originally titled, "Sing (And Tell The Blues So Long)".

10. Johnny's biggest hit was a double sided affair. The "B" side was "Right Now" and the "A" side was?

Answer: I'm Counting On You

"I'm Counting on You" was a national number one for six weeks in 1961. The flip side remained in the top ten for eight weeks. "Shake Baby Shake", "Move Baby Move" and "You'll Never Cherish A Love So True" were all hits for Johnny in his prolific hit making period from 1958 though 1964.

Source: Author Desimac

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