28 Facts About Johnny Devlin

John Lockett Devlin was born on 11 May 1938 and is a New Zealand singer, songwriter, and musician known for his influential role in the country's early rock and roll scene.

Johnny Devlin's cover of Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" in 1958 went to number one in the New Zealand charts with sales of more than 100,000, launching a long-term career.

John Lockett Johnny Devlin was born on 11 May 1938, the son of a railway ganger stationed in the mid-North Island.

Johnny Devlin grew up in various towns, including in Wanganui or the nearby small town of Raetihi.

Johnny Devlin received a guitar for his eleventh birthday and alongside his parents and three brothers, they formed a group called the Devlin Family.

The Johnny Devlin Family had been performing regularly up until 1955, when the parents retired from the entertainment business.

Johnny Devlin entered every amateur talent quest he could find and chasing up every Elvis Presley recording he could lay his hands on, for the next eighteen months he would perform nothing but Presley material.

The first to recognise potential in Devlin, Johnny Cooper took him under his wing, coached him in the art of stagecraft and persuaded him to practice his moves in front of a mirror.

In February 1957, aged 18, Johnny Devlin won his first talent quest as a rock 'n' roll performer.

In Palmerston North, he met Dennis Tristram, a rock 'n' roll dancer, who tried to persuade Johnny Devlin to move to Auckland.

Johnny Devlin was happy to stay where he was, but did run into Tristram again later, who persuaded Johnny Devlin to visit the Jive Centre, and sing with the resident band.

Johnny Devlin's debut at the Jive Centre featured an all-Presley repertoire and, although there was a general buzz in the audience before he commenced, no-one was prepared for what was to follow.

Dave Dunningham became his manager and within a month he had made Johnny Devlin the talk of the town.

Johnny Devlin entered Bruce Barton's Wellesley Street studio for his second recording session.

Johnny Devlin was promoted to manage a new cinema in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier.

Back in Auckland, another two-week tour was being organised, but before setting out, Johnny Devlin was rushed back into the studio, where in one night he recorded sixteen more tracks.

Johnny Devlin's fans were fiercely loyal and the bookings for the Christchurch show were light.

Johnny Devlin invited MP and Cabinet Minister Mabel Howard to a champagne party followed by the Devlin show, and after the pair would be driven off to meet up with Max Merritt.

Johnny Devlin's original recording of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" had sold steadily since its mid-1958 release.

In March 1959, Johnny Devlin left on what was to be his final tour of the country.

Johnny Devlin took in the smaller centres that had not experienced the Devlin hysteria and madness.

Johnny Devlin received a similar reception wherever he went, but inside the show, things were starting to fall apart.

Johnny Devlin wanted to know if Warren could handle the New Zealand leg.

Warren agreed on the condition that Johnny Devlin be placed on the bill for the Australian concerts.

Johnny Devlin wrote several songs for other artists, notably "Good Looking Boy", a hit for Patsy Ann Noble in 1961, and "Surfside" for Digger Revell and the Denvermen.

Johnny Devlin wrote the official song for the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, "The Games are On".

Johnny Devlin was transferred to St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney in a critical condition and received a triple bypass which saved his life.

Johnny Devlin still continues to perform at the club level in Australia.