Chanteur Rock 'n' Roll Néo-Zélandais né John Lockett Devlin, le 11 Mai 1938 ŕ Raetihi. Johnny Devlin fut surnommé "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley" (La réponse de la Nouvelle Zélande ŕ Elvis Presley).

Johnny Devlin was New Zealand's first true superstar of the rock & roll era, a teen idol whose national fame and revolutionary impact made him a Kiwi counterpart to  Elvis Presley. Born May 11, 1938 in the small town of Raetihi, Devlin was raised in nearby Wanganui, where in 1951 he made his solo performing debut yodeling at the local opera house. After graduating high school, he spent two years as a bank clerk, occasionally playing country & western music with his brothers in a band called the River City Ramblers. Then, in mid-1956, Devlin heard Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel"; overnight he became obsessed with rock & roll, snatching up Presley singles and performing Elvis songs on the amateur talent quest circuit. Complete with ducktail, loud suits, and hepcat lingo, he assimilated himself completely in the culture portrayed in American teen movies of the era, earning something of a reputation as the town eccentric.
Although Devlin regularly appeared in talent contests, he at first enjoyed little success, but in early 1957, he was spotted by Johnny Cooper, who had cut the first-ever New Zealand rock record, a cover of Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock," two years prior. Cooper became Devlin's mentor, and his career surged, he regularly won top honors at talent shows and played to increasingly enthusiastic crowds. After settling into a regular gig at Auckland's Jive Centre, Devlin's fame grew, and his nightly sets of dead-on Presley imitations were the stuff of massive teen hysteria; finally, in mid-1958, he recorded his debut single, "Lawdy Miss Clawdy." It was a massive hit, selling over 2000 copies in Auckland alone during its first month of release on its way to passing the unprecedented five-figure mark; trumpeted in the press as "New Zealand's Elvis Presley," Devlin was a true phenomenon, mobbed by fans wherever he went.
Between November 1958 and May 1959, Devlin's label Prestige released some eight singles, three EPs, and an LP, amounting to total sales of over 200,000 copies; with his backing band the Devils in tow, he toured the country, playing everywhere to capacity crowds. However, more conservative quarters were outraged over the hysteria and destruction left in Devlin's wake, and as more and more theater managers became wary of booking the band, his career began to slip. For his part, Devlin was becoming increasingly disillusioned, with backstage bickering and record-label trickery leaving him more and more disgusted by fame; in May 1959,he and the Devils toured Australia as part of a package tour including the Everly Brothers and Tab Hunter, and by the time they returned home, the ballyhoo had died down. Still, Devlin remains the benchmark by which all New Zealand phenoms are judged; no one was ever bigger among Kiwi teens except the Beatles, whose opening act during their 1964 NZ tour was none other than Johnny Devlin himself.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Devlin

Talents : Vocals, Guitar

Style musical : Rock 'n' Roll

https://youtu.be/3PAB8LS9u8Q

https://youtu.be/Vig-5vhea18

Straight Skirt (1958)

6.5 Hand Jive (1958)

LEROY (1958)

20 Flight Rock (1959)

Koala Bear (1959)

Years in activity :

1910 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 2000 10 20

DISCOGRAPHY

78 t., Singles & EP

06/1958 78 t. PRESTIGE PS-0049 (NZ) .

Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Johnny DEVLIN) / When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (Johnny DEVLIN with The THREE-D’S)
06/1958 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0049 (NZ) . Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Johnny DEVLIN) / When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (Johnny DEVLIN with The THREE-D’S)
1958 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0065 (NZ) .

I Got A Rocket In My Pocket / You're Gone Baby
09/1958 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0066 (NZ) .

Slipping Around / Straight Skirt

10/1958 EP PRESTIGE PEP 2017 (NZ)

How Would 'Ya Be - Slipping Around / I'm Grateful / Straight Skirt / How Would Ya Be
11/1958 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0080 (NZ) .

Johnny Devlin & His Devils - 6.5 Hand Jive / Play Rough
12/1958 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0085 (NZ) .

Johnny Devlin with The Devils - Wild One / The Watch
12/1958 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0086 (NZ) .

Johnny Devlin with The Devils - My True Love / Crazy Crazy Baby
12/1958 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0087 (NZ) .

Johnny Devlin with The Devils - Bony Moronie / Leroy

1958 EP BELL BE 198 (AUS)

Johnny Devlin & Orchestra - Rock To Johnny Devlin - Slipping Around / Straight Skirt / I'm Grateful / How Would 'Ya Be
02/1959 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0099 (NZ) .

Johnny Devlin & His Devils - 20 Flight Rock / Move It
02/1959 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0100 (NZ) .

Johnny Devlin & His Devils - The New Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Susie Darlin'
02/1959 EP PRESTIGE PEP-2036  (NZ)

Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Johnny Sings Ballads - Love Me / I'm Counting On You / Susie Darlin' / When Mother Prayed For Me
1959 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0120 (NZ) .

Johnny Devlin with The Devils - Queen Of The Hop / Nervous Wreck
1959 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0125 (NZ) .

Rock With The Devils (Johnny DEVLIN) / Devils Rock (The DEVILS)
08/1959 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0131 (NZ) .

Johnny Devlin with The Devils - White Lightning / Doreen
1959 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0138 (NZ) .

Johnny Devlin with The Devils & The Delltones - I Was The One / Pointed Toe Shoes
1959 SP PRESTIGE PSP-0144 (NZ) .

Sleep Walk (The CODAS) / Red River Rock (Johnny Devlin's Devils)
1959 SP COLUMBIA 45-DO-4089 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin with The Devils & The Delltones - Pointed Toe Shoes / I Was The One
1959 SP COLUMBIA 45-DO-4090 (AUS) . Johnny Devlin with The Devils & The Delltones - Nervous / Why Don't You Believe Me
1959 SP EMI 7XCT.621/623 (AUS) (promo) .

Nervous / Why Don't You Believe Me
1959 SP LEEDON LS-560 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin & The Devils - White Lightning / Doreen
1959 EP LEEDON / LEE GORDON LEP-308 (AUS)

Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Rock, Rock, Rock - Blackberry Boogie / Nervous Wreck / Wild One / 20 Flight Rock

1959 Flexi 33 t. Penguin PTF 1021 (AUS)

Lonely Boy / Tiger
1959 Flexi 33 t. Penguin PTF 1025 (AUS) Big Hunk Of Love / I Gotta Be True
1959 Flexi 33 t. Penguin PTF 1035 (AUS)

The Devils - 40 Miles Of Bad Road / Red River Rock
1959 SP TEEN TC-001 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Tiger / Lonely Boy
1959 SP TEEN TC-002 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin & The Devils with The Delltones - A Big Hunk O' Love / I Gotta Be True
1959 SP TEEN TC-003 (AUS)
Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Koala Bear / Turn The Lights Out, Johnny
1959 SP TEEN TC-005 (AUS) .

Caribbean (Johnny ROBSON) / Red River Rock (Johnny DEVLIN’S DEVILS)
08/1959 SP TEEN TC-006 (AUS) .

I Gotta Be True (Johnny Devlin & The Devils) / Devil's Rock (Johnny Devlin's Devils)
1959 SP TEEN TC-007 (AUS) . Johnny DEVLIN’S DEVILS - Teen Beat / Rumble
1959 EP COCA COLA C 1001 (NZ) (promo) Hit Tunes - Matador Baby / Believe Me / Rave On / Cast Iron Arm / Nervous / Say Yeah
1960 SP TEEN TC-010 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin's Devils - Dark Eyes / Loch Lomond
05/1960 SP TEEN TC-019 (AUS) .

Adam with Johnny Devlin's Devils - Princess / Made To Be Loved
1960 SP TEEN TC-020 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin's Devils - Brown Jug Beat / Autumn Leaves
1960 SP TEEN TC-021 (NZ) (AUS) . Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Gigolo / Baby, I Miss You So
1960 SP TEEN TC-033 (AUS) . Johnny Devlin & The Devils - I'm Gonna Love You / Wicked, Wicked Woman
1960 EP TEEN BX4110 (NZ)

Johnny Devlin & The Devils with The Deltones - Koala Bear / Turn The Lights Out Johnny
1960 EP TEEN TCEP-001 (NZ) (AUS)

Johnny Devlin Sings - Gigolo / Who Will You Choose, Johnny? / Lonely Blues / Gold Diggin' Doll
10/1960 SP TEEN TC-4406 (NZ) (AUS) .

Got A Zack In The Back Of Me Pocket (Johnny Devlin & The Bricks with The Deeners) / Such A Night (Johnny Devlin & The Devils with The Penguins)
1961 SP FESTIVAL FK-51 (AUS) .

Please Teacher Let Me Have My Apple Back / Don't
1961 SP FESTIVAL FK-130 (NZ) (AUS) .

Hey Little Angel / A Boy Needs A Girl
04/1961 SP FESTIVAL FK-3169 (AUS) .

Charlie Mopps / What's Come Over You
1961 EP FESTIVAL FX-10,010 (AUS)

Gigolo - Gigolo / Wicked Wicked Woman / I'm Gonna Love You / Turn The Lights Out Johnny
1961 EP FESTIVAL FX-10,075 (AUS)

Johnny Devlin with The Daredevils - Devlin Sings Devlin - Gold Diggin' Doll / Bad One / Mister Man In The Moon / Baby I Miss You So
1962 SP FESTIVAL FK-172 (NZ) (AUS) . Swimmin' Suit / Mister Man In The Moon
1962 SP FESTIVAL FK-209 (NZ) (AUS) .

Five Minutes More / Heaven's Plan
1962 SP FESTIVAL FK-238 (NZ) (AUS) .

Stayin' Up Late / Angel Of Love
06/1962 EP FESTIVAL FX-10,419 (AUS)

Johnny Devlin's Big 4 - Charlie Mopps / Please Teacher Let Me Have My Apple Back / Got A Zack In The Back Of My Pocket / Hey Little Angel
1962 EP FESTIVAL FX-10,427 (AUS)

Twistin' At The Peppermint Lounge With Johnny Devlin - The Twister / Twistin' Little Girl / Kangaroo Tail Twist / Multiplication Twist
1963 SP FESTIVAL FK-314 (NZ) (AUS) .

Chi-Chico-Teek / The One You Left Behind
10/1963 SP FESTIVAL FK-472 (NZ) (AUS) .

Stomp The Tumbarumba / I Beg Of You
01/1964 SP PYE 7N 15598 (UK) .

Sometimes / If You Want Someone
03/1964 EP FESTIVAL FX-10,777 (AUS)

Stomp The Tumbarumba - Stomp The Tumbarumba / I Beg Of You / Tiger / Gotta Be True
1964 SP FESTIVAL FK-581 (NZ) (AUS) .

Do It Right / I Cry My Life Away
1964 SP FESTIVAL FK-644 (NZ) (AUS) .

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Blue Suede Shoes
1964 SP FESTIVAL FK-760 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin with The Rajahs - The Mod Nod / One Sided Love Affair
12/1964 EP FESTIVAL FX-10,842 (AUS)

Blue Suede Shoes - Blue Suede Shoes / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Do It Right / I Cry My Life Away
02/1965 SP RCA 101591 (AUS) . Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Won't You Be My Baby / Walk Your Cat
06/1965 SP RCA 60397 (NZ) Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Won't You Be My Baby / Walk Your Cat
06/1965 SP RCA 101629 (AUS) Johnny Devlin & The Devils - When I Have To Go Away / Stagger Lee
1965 SP RCA 101642 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin & The Devils - I Lost Your Love / Donna
1965 SP RCA 101675 (AUS) . The Devils - Don't Do It / Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
06/1966 SP CBS 202085 (UK) .

Hung On You / Prove It
1966 SP CBS BA-461118 (NZ) .

My Strength, Heart And Soul / I Can't Get You Off My Mind
12/1966 SP CBS 202452 (UK) .

Tender Lovin' Care / Five O'Clock World
1967 SP CBS BA-221423 (AUS) .

Hurtin' / You Gotta Tell Me
1967 SP CBS BA-221464 (AUS) .

My Heart Belongs To Sydney / Where There's A Will, There's A Way
01/1971 SP HMV HR.424 (NZ)

Lawdy Miss Clawdy 70 / Stag-O-Lee
1971 SP COLUMBIA DO-9448 (AUS) .

Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Stag-O-Lee
1972 SP KONTACT K 001 (NZ) .

The Games Are On / The Wanganui River
1976 SP ATA K-6632 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Heartbreak Hotel / I Can't Go, I Can't Stay
1977 SP RCA 103022 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Panel Van / I Can't Go - I Can't Stay
1977 SP FESTIVAL K-6751 (AUS) .

Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Be-Bop-A-Lula / That's Alright Mama
1978 SP EMI PRS-2525 (AUS) .

Where Do You Get It (Johnny Devlin & Keith Scott) / Where Do You Get It (Johnny Devlin)
1981 SP WIZARD ZS-341 (AUS) .

Don't Make Me Go To Bed And I'll Be Good / Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow
04/1981 SP WIZARD ZS-472 (AUS) .

Don't Make Me Go To Bed And I'll Be Good / Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow
06/1984 SP MAJICAL JD 001 (AUS)

Johnny Devlin And Sailing - I'm Heading For L.A. / I'm Heading For L.A. (instr.)
11/1987 SP EMI EMI 1982 (NZ) (AUS)

Book Of Love / Gotta Come Up With Something
1987 EP 12" EMI ED 309 (NZ)

Book Of Love (extended mix) / Book Of Love (7" mix) / Gotta Come Up With Something



























Albums

1959 LP 12" Prestige PLP 1201 (NZ)

Johnny - Susie Darlin' / 20 Flight Rock / (The New) Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Honey Don't / Whole Lotta Shakin' / Love Me / Move It / Gotta Lotta That / Leroy / Crazy Crazy Baby / Oh Lonesome Me / Say Yeah
1960 LP 12" TEEN TL 8201 (NZ)

Real Nervous - Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Nervous / Pointed Toe Shoes / Turn The Lights Out Johnny / Koala Bear / Gigolo / Who Will You Choose Johnny? / Tiger / Lonely Blues / Doreen / Why Don't You Believe Me / I Was The One / I Gotta Be True
1960 LP 12 COLUMBIA OXS-7634 (AUS)

The Devils Rock - Johnny Devlin's Devils - She's A Rockin / Hamburgers And Coke / Stoker / Satan's Gate / Dream Star / Pitchfork / That's Cool / Crop Drowns / Strange Omen / All's Well Below / Bottom Zee / Like Walk / Man It's Hot Down Here
1980 LP 12" Music World ‎MALPS 536 (NZ)

24 Original Golden Greats - Lawdy Miss Clawdy (new) / Straight Skirt / You're Gone Baby / 6-5 Hand Jive / The Watch / Crazy Crazy Baby / How Would Ya' Be / Leroy / Queen Of The Hop / Big Green Car / When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again / 20 Flight Rock / I Got A Rocket In My Pocket / Slipping Around / Wild One / My True Love / Bonie Maronie / Move It / Nervous Wreck / Rock With The Devils / Susie Darlin' / Lawdy Miss Clawdy (original) / Play Rough / Love Me
1998 CD FESTIVAL ‎D26255 (AUS)

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Straight Skirt / Rocket In My Pocket / Susie Darlin' / The Watch / 20 Flight Rock / Wild One / Doreen (with intro by Johnny O'Keefe) / I Gotta Be True / Tiger / Lonely Boy / Turn The Lights Out Johnny / Koala Bear / Gigolo / Got A Zack In The Back Of My Pocket / Chi Chico Teek / Five Minutes More / Stayin' Up Late / Do It Right / I'm Gonna Love You / Please Teacher (Let Me Have My Apple Back) / Wicked Wicked Woman / Hey Little Angel / Stomp The Tumbarumba / I Beg Of You / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Blue Suede Shoes / Be Bop A Lula / That's Alright Mama / Heartbreak Hotel / Rock And Roll (I Gave You All The Best Years Of My Life)
11/2000 2 CD Festival Mushroom / Spin D 26481

Lawdy Miss Clawdy - The Prestige Years :
CD 1 : Lawdy Mss Clawdy (version 1) / Straight Skirt / You're Gone / 6.5 Hand Jive / The Watch / Crazy Crazy Baby / How Would Ya Be / Leroy / Queen Of The Hop / Big Green Car / When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again / I Got A Rocket In My Pocket / Slippin' Around / Wild One / My True Love / Bony Moronie / Move It / Nervous Wreck / Rock With The Devils / Susie Darlin' / Love Me / Play Rough
CD 2 : Blackberry Boogie / Rave On / Matador Baby / Believe Me / Cast Iron Arm / Nervous / Say Yeah / High Heel Shoes / Hard To Get / Your Cheating Heart / Patty Baby / I Was Robbed / Flat 13 / I'm Grateful / Oh Lonesome Me / Honey Don't / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / I'm Counting On You / When My Mother Prayed For Me / Gotta Lotta That / 20 Flight Rock / Lawdy Miss Clawdy (version 2)

2007 CD Ode CDMANU2047 (NZ)

How Would 'Ya Be - Thirty Seven Rockers From 1958 To 1959 - 'The Prestige Years' -  I Got A Rocket In My Pocket / You're Gone Baby / Slippin' Around / Straight Skirt / 6.5 Hand Jive / Play Rough / Wild One (Real Wild Child) / Crazy Crazy Baby / Bony Maronie / How Would 'Ya Be / Leroy / Matador Baby / Cast Iron Arm / Rave On / Nervous / Say Yeah / 20 Flight Rock / Whole Lotta Shakin' (Goin' On) / Move It / Lawdy, Miss Clawdy / Honey Don't / Gotta Lotta That / Hard To Get / High Heeled Shoes / Big Green Car / Patty Baby / I Was Robbed! / Rockin' With The Devils / Devils Rock (instr.) / Flat 13 / Nervous Wreck / White Lightnin' / Doreen / Red River Rock (instr.) / Blackberry Boogie / Pointed Toe Shoes / Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
200? 2 CD COLLECTOR CLCD 7759 A/B (NL) (unofficial release)

Early Rock & Roll From New Zealand - Vol. 13/14 :
CD 1 : Long Tall Sally (Johnny DEVLIN) / Be-Bop-A-Lula (Johnny DEVLIN) / Young Love (Johnny DEVLIN) / Don't Be Cruel (Johnny DEVLIN) / Bluejean Bop (Johnny DEVLIN) / Money Honey (Johnny DEVLIN) / Long Tall Sally (Johnny DEVLIN) / Devil's Rock (instr.) (Johnny DEVLIN) / Hound Dog (Johnny DEVLIN) / Heartbreak Hotel (Johnny DEVLIN) / This Old House (Johnny DEVLIN) / Honky Tonk (TORNADOS) / My Bonnie (instr.) (PIC-TONES) / Pipeliner (TEDDY & The BEARS) / Pistol Packin' Mama (PIC-TONES) / Satellite (Ron HALLS with Donna REID& The PIC-TONES) / Hashish (instr.)  (PIC-TONES) / Boomerang (instr.) (PIC-TONES) / On Again, Off Again (Tony EAGLETON & The INITIALS) / Boomerang (instr.) (GONDOLIERS) / Go Man Go (instr.) (GONDOLIERS) / Come Back My Love (Ivor FISHER & The SATELLITES) / Tequila (ROCKETEERS) / Goody Goody (MAORI HI-FIVE) / Do The Blue Beat (instr.) (Graeme SUMMERS) / Twistin' Time (Tony EAGLETON & The INITIALS)
CD 2 : American Patrol (MAORI HI-FIVE) / Chariot Rock (MAORI HI-FIVE) / Able Mable (TONY & The INITIALS) / Tavern In The Town (TONY & The INITIALS) / Murphy The Surfie (DETOURS) / Lucille (DIAMONDS) / Wildcat Bop (WILCATS) / Memphis Tennesee (Mike GRAYSON & The M.G. COMBO) / Twister's Twist (Neville BARRY & The BLOCKBUSTERS) / Fire Devil (Peter COLLINS & His DEACONAIRES) / Skye Boat (Rod STONE) / Reveille Rock (MAORI HI-FIVE) / Liebestraum (TONY & The INITIALS) / Gunshot (AL PAGET SEXTET) / England Swings (Jim COYLE with The GARTH YOUNG TRIO) / Avalanche (MINORS) / Peter Gun Theme (AL PAGET SEXTET) / 12th Street Rag (AL PAGET SEXTET) / I Love Paris (STRANGERS (INVERCARGILL) / Guitar, Country Style (Bob PARIS) / Rise & Fall Of Fingel Blunt (INVADERS) / Paris Twist (Bob PARIS & The PEPPERMINTS) / Silver Threads & Golden Needles (Jim COYLE with The GARTH YOUNG TRIO) / The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs (STRANGERS (CHRISTCHURCH) / Jingle Jangle Jingle (TONY & The INITIALS) / See You Later Alligator (Graeme SUMMERS) / You Don't Know What Lonesome Is (Bob PARIS) / Bugle Call Jenka (ASTRO BEATS) / Guitar Boogie (GONDOLIERS) / Scottish & Irish Melody (Peter POSA)

Date Unknown

???? LP 12" REBEL 1006 (?)

Real Nervous - Johnny Devlin & The Devils - Nervous / Pointed Toe Shoes / Turn The Lights Out Johnny / Koala Bear / Gigolo / Who Will You Choose Johnny / What's Come Over You / Such A Night / Tiger / Lonely Blues / Doreen / Why Don't You Believe Me / I Was The One / I Gotta Be True / White Lightning
???? LP 12" Prestige PLP 1201 (?) (unofficial release)

How Would Ya Be - How Would Ya Be / Honey Don't / Koala Bear / Pointed Toe Shoes / Twenty Flight Rock / Why Don't You Believe Me / Leroy / Cast Iron Arm / I'm Counting On You / Love Me / Move It / You're Gone Baby / Tiger / Crazy, Crazy, Baby / Wicked, Wicked Woman / Gotta Lotta That / Matador Baby / I Got A Rocket In My Pocket / Slipping Around / Doreen

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