The first of two scrapbooks compiled by Johnny’s mother, Thelma O’Keefe, covers 1954-1961. This scrapbook documents his early years in the industry and contains a dizzying array of items, including reviews, advertisements, concert programs, posters, magazines, airline tickets and even receipts for venues hired for concerts. The scrapbook also contains a ‘Friends of Johnny O’Keefe’ fan club letterhead, envelopes, certificates and newsletters; the club kept Johnny’s growing legion of fans up-to-date with his latest achievements and upcoming events.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.