Frank O’Keefe
March 18, 1950 – February 26, 1995
Frank O’Keefe was and early bassist for southern rock band, the Outlaws. Although the band was riding high on a string of what would eventually become classic rock staples, O’Keefe decided to leave the band after suffering a broken neck from a fall in July, 1976. The trials of a hectic life on the road also helped in that decision. That neck injury lead to his reliance on pain medication for the rest of his life. On February 26, 1995, O’Keefe’s lifeless body was found by his roommate in his Clearwater, FL home. He apparently died as a result of drug and alcohol abuse.
What You Should Own
Frank was found dead and then robbed of everything he had including his medication by a man whose name I can’t mention. Frank was my brother-in-law and my sister and Frank were reconsiling when he partied a little too much with the piece of garbage that robbed him. His death was a huge loss to his family and mine. Mysister followed him in death 5 years later and I pray they are in heaven together. Frank was the best of men.
I saw Frank and the Outlaws perform outdoors in Ithaca, NY in May 1976. It was a major event in my life. For some reason I went to the Henry Paul Band website today and saw, to my surprise, there are only 2 surving members of the original band left. I knew about Hughie but Had no idea about Frank and Billy. I saw that today is the 15th anniversary of Billy’s death. May Frank and your sister, Billy and Hughie go with God and rest in peace. I am very sorry for your loss of Frank and your sister.
Frank was a very dear friend of the family from way back. I remember them (before they were Outlaws) when I was a child in my home. Sorry Steve, there are 2 surviving orginals, it is Dave Dix and Herb Pino and Monte soon after. All the guys were dear and close to our hearts and it was devestating to us all, including my mother who welcomed them into her home when Frank passed, and then Billy.
Maria, I own that house and was using it for storage. I was robbed and called the police.. The officer that came to the scene told me he was the one that went to the house on that dreadful night. He said there was money and drugs everywhere. Maybe the police department conficated everything and has never returned it.
Frank was a dear, and too short a time friend to me. He has impacted the rest of my day-to-day life in such a positive way with his love and lust for life and music. Frank, you made me feel like we had known each other all of our lives, and we both would have been better off if we had. I really, really miss you, man…friend. My prayers of comfort please, to all of you family members of Frank’s, who lost a beacon of hope for this world, and who’s loss was so much more than mine. I, and they will never, ever forget you. Indeed!
Paul
I just now found out that frank and billy had passed,i know that billy,frank,hugie are rocking out in heaven
Much sorrow inside. I grew up in Largo – ’73. I was a kid; a skinny 16-17-18 y.o playing drums…I was in a “band” which often hung out, and played, at O’Keefe’s on S. Ft. Harrison. There were two brothers there, and one was Frank (his brother also played music). They’d often jump onstage…I’d like to thik it was because they liked our “jams” but, mostly cause they could…it was their Pop’s place! Frank went “on” and became famous. POINT: I’m looking for Joe Delgadio. Joe played a white Strat – I played red Pearl drums. Yea, I think the “Outlaws” are in Rock-n-Roll Heaven. Their music has “hung” with me at the most “odd of times,” in the most “odd of places.” My hope: Joe’s still on this side of “Green Grass & High Tides” [Respond via Face Book].
Actually Frank was not the Outlaw’s original bass player, Phil Holmberg wss. Phil left the band in early 1968 to get married and Frank replaced him.
The Outlaws have not had a lot of luck with band members when it comes to longevity. Billy Jones killed himself in February 1995 and Frank died of an overdose of pain killers (it was never determined if it was accidental or intentional) not even three weeks later. And then in Hughie died of a heart attack in September of 2007. So sad, they were all tremendously talented musicians.
I was able to see the Outlaws I believe in 1975 at the old Calderon theatre in Hempstead, NY (Long Island) I was privledged to witness the early chemestry of the original members. Nothing ever came close to that in their pursuing years. Their first 2 albums were “The Outlaws” Dean