ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 45 | June 2000
Let's rock
'n' roll!
Johnny Devlin relives magical musical era for
Library's Oral History Collection
Do you remember the 1950s and 1960sbobby socks, Brylcreem, rockers, surfies and rock n roll music?
If you do, you are sure to remember Johnny OKeefe. But do you also remember one of his main challengers for the title of the King of Australian Rock n RollJohnny Devlin? There are many who say he was, in fact, Australia's greatest rock n roller.
Born in New Zealand in 1938, Devlin had smash hits like Lawdy Miss Clawdy, which sold 100 000 copies and won him a gold record at a time when television was in its infancy in Australia and New Zealand. He had a reputation for being a tigerish performer and his hysterical fans would try to, and did, rip his shirt off when and wherever he performed. Backed by his high-energy band the Devils, Johnny Devlin made a huge impact on the Australian music scene and was undoubtedly a major rock n roll star throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
After earning the reputation as New Zealands king of rock n roll, Johnny Devlin came to Australia with his band in 1959, initially for a one week gig. He stayed much longer and made many appearances on TV shows such as Brian Hendersons Bandstand and Johnny OKeefes Six OClock Rock. A big break came when he was chosen to tour as a support act with the Beatles in Australia and New Zealand. Later he made personal appearances in England and also went back to New Zealand to perform. He returned to Australia in 1971 to stay and it was at this time that he recorded My Heart Belongs to Sydney.
Johnny Devlin is also a composer, having written hits such as Good
Looking Boy for teenage singing star Patsy Ann Noble. He won a gold
record for Riding Surfside, an instrumental written for the
Denvermen.
As well as recording a number of single hits in the 1950s and 1960s,
Johnny recorded several important albums between 1959 and 1980.
In 1985,
he toured Australia with the Rock Around the Clock Show and
today does the club circuit, proving that you are never too old to rock n
roll.
In mid-May Johnny Devlin paid his first visit to the National Library of Australia to be interviewed by Dr Barry York for the Oral History Collection. Johnny will be returning in July to continue recording his recollections. His return will give Library staff members the opportunity to meet one of the legends of Australian rock n roll, perhaps to get an autograph and/or have a quick chat about the good old days of rock n roll.
Nancy Phillips
Left: Johnny Devlin (seated) is pictured in 1964 with the Beatles, whom he toured with in Australia and New Zealand. Photograph courtesy of Johnny Devlin
Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: gateways@nla.gov.au