Johnny O'Keefe "A little bit louder now..."

Johnny O'Keefe (1935-1978) was Australia's first rock 'n' roll star, whose nickname 'the Wild One' reflected his antics both on and off stage. At a time when radio stations were reluctant to promote local talent, O'Keefe was the first Australian rock performer to have a chart hit with the 1958 song 'Wild One' and paved the way for other Australian musicians. A raw, energetic and exuberant performer, O'Keefe recorded 30 chart hits including the legendary Shout. In 1959 he compered the television show Six O'Clock Rock and later hosted The Johnny O'Keefe Show. Despite his success, O'Keefe's personal life was tumultuous. He suffered periods of depression and his first marriage ended because of his violent outbursts, while in 1960 a near fatal car crash resulted in extensive reconstructive facial surgery. Drug abuse, excessive drinking and overwork led to his death from a heart attack at 43.

Ivan Durrant was about thirteen years old when he first saw O'Keefe on television. At the time Durrant had a 'rocker' hairdo and fancied that he resembled O'Keefe. He painted the singer as he imagined him at the beginning of his career - an innocent young boy just entering the world of rock 'n' roll. "A little bit louder now" is a line from the song Shout.