This Australian R&B, funk and dance group formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1983. At a time when the Australian music scene was heavily dominated by traditional pub rock, they stood out by pioneering synth-heavy soul, club music, and hip-hop beats.
The band was born at Sydney punk venue/Italian restaurant Garinaldi’s in 1978, where Ray Medhurst and Bryon Jones would hold parties and put together “silly groups”, of which Rockmelons was one, playing reggae versions of Anarchy in the UK to enraged punks.
As the club scene began to gain popularity, Ray started working as a DJ while the group built a massive grass-roots following by throwing vibrant underground warehouse dance parties in Sydney, where they would perform live with up to ten musicians on stage.
The band’s debut single, Time Out For Serious Fun, was released on Phantom Records and featured Sandi Chick on vocals.
Throughout their career, the band utilised a rotating cast of guest vocalists to front their tracks, and their follow-up single, Sweat It Out, featured the angelic voice of Peter Blakeley.
Their debut studio album, Tales of the City (1988), peaked at #6 on the Australian charts and earned them a shared ARIA Music Award for Breakthrough Artist – Album.
The group reached their commercial peak with Form 1 Planet in 1992, reaching #3 on the ARIA charts and achieving platinum certification.
They also enjoyed success collaborating with vocalist Deni Hines in the singles charts with That Word (L.O.V.E.) and Ain’t No Sunshine (a soul-dance cover of the Bill Withers classic).
After a long hiatus, the group returned in 2002 with a third studio album – Rockies 3 – that continued their tradition of highlighting fresh talent, utilising eight different vocalists across the album.
In fact, Rockmelons served as a launchpad, helping establish major solo careers for Demi Hines, Wendy Matthews and Peter Blakeley.
The group disbanded in the mid-2000s, but the core trio of Medhurst and the Jones brothers remained highly active behind the scenes and found successful second careers as pop songwriters and producers for hire.
Ray Medhurst
Keyboards, tapes Bryon Jones
Bass, vocals Jonathon “Jonno” Jones
Drums, keyboards Peter Blakeley
Vocals John Kenny
Vocals Sandi Chick
Vocals Wendy Matthews
Vocals Mary Azzopardi
Backing vocals Deni Hines
Vocals Doug Williams
Vocals Vince Dale
Keyboards Peter Kennard
Guitar
Video
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As the club scene began to gain popularity, Ray started working as a DJ while the group built a massive grass-roots following by throwing vibrant underground warehouse dance parties in Sydney, where they would perform live with up to ten musicians on stage.
After a long hiatus, the group returned in 2002 with a third studio album – Rockies 3 – that continued their tradition of highlighting fresh talent, utilising eight different vocalists across the album.
