Johnny Devlin
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Johnny Devlin MNZM |
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|---|---|
| Birth name | John Lockett Devlin |
| Born | 11 May 1938 |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Genres | rock & roll |
| Occupation(s) | singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1958-present |
| Associated acts | Johnny O'Keefe, Leedon Records, Bandstand, Six O'Clock Rock, Barry Stanton |
John Lockett "Johnny" Devlin, MNZM (born 11 May 1938), is an influential early New Zealand-born rock musician, known as "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley".
His 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. He spent much of his time in Australia from 1959 touring in support of The Everly Brothers and making appearances on Australian television shows such as Bandstand, Six O'Clock Rock and The Go!! Show. In 1964 he toured Australia and New Zealand as a support act for The Beatles.
In 2007 he was inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame.
In 2008 he was inducted into the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to entertainment.
In October 2015 he was presented the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, the highest honour available for a New Zealand variety entertainer.
John Lockett Devlin was born on 11 May 1938, the son of a railway ganger stationed in the small mid-North Island town of Raetihi. The family soon shifted to nearby Ohakune and then Marton before eventually settling in Wanganui, where John spent his formative years. He received a guitar for his eleventh birthday. Alongside his parents and three brothers they formed a group called the Devlin Family when he was in his early teens. The group performed country songs at Wanganui talent quests, playing songs from the Lever Hit Parade such as "Rock Around the Clock".
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