“The Wild One” tours Vietnam

Entertainment plays an important role in maintaining troops’ morale in time of war. The Vietnam War saw many big stars of the day tour South Vietnam: Australian rock-and-roll legend Johnny O’Keefe (“the Wild One”), Patricia “Little Pattie” Amphlett, Lorrae Desmond, and Leo “Lucky” Grills.
Australian Forces Vietnam kept detailed and often candid records of the concert parties that toured. These records are now held in the Research Centre, and they contain fascinating collections of letters, reports, photos, clippings, official evaluations, and meticulously detailed itineraries of the various tours. The records provide an intriguing glimpse behind the scenes and add an interesting layer to the story of Australia’s social and military history during the Vietnam War era.
Entertaining in a war zone was demanding work. Johnny O’Keefe’s 1969 concert party performed 20 concerts and made 4 hospital visits within 17 days, often playing under difficult conditions on open air stages. Touring with O’Keefe were singer Caroline Page, Melbourne group The Playboys, and O’Keefe’s manager Margaret Kruse. The files reveal how the intensity of the tour took its toll on the performers both physically and mentally. All, including O’Keefe, suffered from various ailments during the tour, with several needing medical treatment. One musician had to be evacuated back to Australia after four days.
Understandably, some entertainers declined to tour out of fear for their own safety. Only a month before the O’Keefe tour, in circumstances that remain unclear to this day, Australian singer Cathy Warnes (whose stage name was Wayne) was shot dead by an American soldier while she was performing on stage.