Double Feature!

SIX O'CLOCK ROCK 1959
Australian TV show. Early '59. ABC-TV, Sydney, Australia. The only surviving episode of this action-packed, teenage-music TV program! Filmed “live” and featuring Australian rock n roll, rockabilly and doo wop artists performing original and U.S. cover versions. Cool footage of the teenage audience wildly jiving and jitterbuging to the music. Compered by Johnny O’Keefe—Australia’s “King of Rock n Roll” and “The Wild One”—the show was raw and real and in this episode JO’K can’t remember the song or artist he’s introducing and fumbles his way though “…umm, ahh, and here’s a cat who needs no introduction to the thing!”

Artists include: Jimmy Griffiths (loveable and very out-of-key!): “Tallahassee Lassie.” The Sapphires: “Why Do They Doubt Our Love?” Johnny O’Keefe and the Dee Jays: “That’s Why I Love You,” “You Excite Me,” “Danny Boy,” “In My Heart.” Film footage of Louis Prima and Keely Smith: “Up A Lazy River,” “Hey Boy, Hey Girl.” Ernie Wilson: “Only Love Me.” Dig Richards: “Mona Lisa.” Bev West: “What a Difference a Day Makes.” The Graduates: “Sweet Chile.” Maria Cortez: “Stormy Weather.”

Plus this bonus selection...

THE JOHNNY O'KEEFE SHOW 1963
Australian TV show. Apr-63. ATN7 TV, Sydney, Australia. Teenage music TV show. After the cancellation of Six O’ Clock Rock, Johnny came back to the airwaves with the Johnny O’Keefe Show. Artists perform original and U.S. cover versions. Jimmy Diamond (Eddie Cochran tribute): "Just Like Eddie." Johnny O’Keefe: “A Hit Record,” “Teach Me Tonight,” “It Must Be Love.” The Dee Jays: “Deep In the Heart of Texas.” Danny Cole: “Funny,” “Let Me Love You.” The Bradley Sisters: “Wouldn’t It Be Lovely,” “Uptown.” Kevin Todd: “Teenage Senorita,” “Another Tear Falls.” Whitman Duo (cool kids from the Philippines): “Maria Elena,” “Little Bird.” Dig Richards: “Ecstasy,” “I’m Not the Marrying Kind.” Sharon O’Brien: “A Fool to Want You.” Roy Charles (yes, Roy): “Lovers Who Wander.”

Note on Johnny O’Keefe: JO’K was the “Father of Australian Rock and Roll” and a tortured soul who didn't have the best voice in world. But he was driven! Along with rock and roll, JOK loved fast cars and had a head-on crash into gravel truck. He received horrific facial injuries yet within two weeks he was back on air—scars and all. All through the plastic surgery that followed, Johnny continued to compere Six O'clock Rock and viewers saw week by week the changes take place. He tried for the US and UK markets, releasing songs and touring in both countries. But no one wanted to know. Following a UK trip, Johnny suffered the first of five nervous breakdowns. He was dropped by ABC. JO’K died on October 6th, 1978 aged 43.

SIX O'CLOCK ROCK 1959 + JOHNNY O'KEEFE SHOW 1963 on DVD and VHS!