In 1955, Johnny heard 'Rock Around the Clock', performed by Bill Haley and His Comets on the soundtrack to the movie Blackboard Jungle. It changed his life forever. Within a year he had formed a rock 'n' roll band, Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays, and was regularly performing at suburban dances in council halls, police clubs and during the interval between films at Manly's Embassy Theatre.

Johnny met Bill Haley when he toured Australia in March 1957. Haley gave Johnny his song '(You Hit the Wrong Note) Billy Goat' and it became the first song recorded by Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays.