It is 60 years since one of Australia's greatest rock 'n' roll stars, Johnny O'Keefe, made an unscheduled stopover in Kempsey when his bright red Plymouth Belvedere was involved in a collision on the Pacific Highway at Clybucca on the morning of June 27, 1960.
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John Michael ('Johnny') O'Keefe was born in Sydney on January 19, 1935, one of three children of Raymond Moran O'Keefe, furniture salesman, and his wife Thelma Edna, née Kennedy. In 1956, O'Keefe was influenced by the rock 'n' roll trend of the time and formed the Dee Jays, performing at dances and venues in Sydney. They were soon signed with Festival Records Pty Limited and began appearing in shows with touring American artists.
In December 1957, as Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays, the group recorded "The Wild One" which was an immediate hit and made O'Keefe the best known Australian rock 'n' roller of the time.
O'Keefe featured on the ABC Saturday night television pop show "Six O'Clock Rock", later becoming compere of the show. In early 1960, O'Keefe and the Dee Jays toured the United States of America, however this was unsuccessful and O'Keefe returned to Australia broke and disillusioned.
He imported a red Plymouth Belvedere on hire purchase and began touring frequently to build up his finances again. After hosting his Six O'Clock Rock show on Saturday, June 25, 1960, O'Keefe flew to the Gold Coast to join the Dee Jays, some of whom had driven there earlier in his car.
After playing concerts on the Gold Coast, O'Keefe left Southport at 1.30am Monday morning, to drive back to Sydney. With him were his saxophonist John Greenan and his wife, Jan.
At Clybucca, about twenty minutes north of Kempsey, O'Keefe fell asleep at the wheel and his car collided with a gravel truck driven by Percy Ainsworth. O'Keefe's car was torn apart in the collision and he and his passengers were seriously injured. Mr Ainsworth escaped unharmed.
O'Keefe was treated at Kempsey Hospital and flown to Sydney two days later. Mr and Mrs Greenan remained in Kempsey Hospital. O'Keefe was loaded on a Fokker Friendship Airlines of NSW flight to Sydney by Ambulance Officers R Myhill and Charles Martin.
Whilst at Kempsey Hospital, O'Keefe was described by nurses to be a difficult patient, however he did promise to return to Kempsey and give his services for charity. And return he did. Three months after his accident, O'Keefe returned to Kempsey to play at the Agricultural Hall with the Dee Jays and vocal group, The Crescents.
He raised over £75 ($150) for the Rotary candidate in the Spring Festival Queen competition, Judy Everson.
