'Shout', the story of Australian rock and roll legend Johnny O'Keefe, came to life on stage in Melbourne last night with a few music legends telling the tale.
Little River Band's Glenn Shorrock played the part of Ray O'Keefe, Johnny's dad. Colleen Hewitt was Thelma O'Keefe, Johnny's mother.The 'hardest working man' award went to John Paul Young who played a variety of roles from priest to drag queen.
Former pop idol Mark Holden also put in a grand performance as Johnny's manager Lee Gordon.
The show was written by John-Michael Howson, David Mitchell and Melvyn Morrow, the team who created 'Dusty', the story of Dusty Springfield two years ago.
The story of Johnny O'Keefe was a rock and roll tragedy. The Wild One, as he was know, had more than 30 chart hits and 50 albums in Australia, but his only international claim to fame was a number one record in the US city of New Orleans.
He suffered 5 nervous breakdowns during his life, a serious car accident, and died at the age of 43.
Last night's premiere featured many Melbourne names including Glenn's band-mate Graeham Goble, Seekers' Keith Potger, The Chasers Julian Morrow, Skippy star Ken James and The Sullivans' Paul Cronan.
'Shout' is on at the State Theatre at the Arts Centre in Melbourne for the next 7 weeks, and then heads to Sydney.
