Rockmelons
Encyclopedia
Rockmelons, often referred to as the Rockies, are an Australian Pop
/Dance
/R&B
group formed in 1983 in Sydney
. They are based around Bryon Jones, his brother Jonathon Jones and Raymond Medhurst. They had two Top Five hit singles in the early 1990s with "Ain't No Sunshine
" and "That Word (L.O.V.E.)", both sung by Deni Hines
. The associated album, Form I Planet peaked at #3 on the albums chart in 1992.
when Raymond Medhurst (keyboards
) wanted a band to perform for a private party. He contacted the Jones brothers Bryon (keyboards, bass guitar
, backing vocals) and Jonathon (keyboards, guitar
, drums
) (both ex-Les Ukuleles, No Heavy Lifting), they asked Medhurst's schoolmate, Vincent Dale (keyboards) (ex-Ish with Bryon Jones) to join.
) entered in late 1983 and were followed closely by Geoffrey Stapleton (keyboards, guitar, percussion) (later in GANGgajang
) in early 1984. Stapleton had worked with the Jones brothers when they were in Les Ukeleles and No Heavy Lifting by recording their songs. Vocalists Peter Blakeley
and John Kenny (known to Stapleton in Adelaide) were brought in and with Stephen Allkins (operated turntables at gigs) made them a ten-piece. First single "Time Out (For Serious Fun)" was released on Festival Records
(1985) and had lead vocals by Chick. The second single "Sweat It Out" had vocals by Blakeley on True Tone
(1986). Chick and Stapleton left that year. Third single "Rhymes" (1987) had vocals by John Kenny. Blakeley left in 1987 to go solo and had a #3 hit with "Crying in the Chapel" (not the Elvis Presley
song) in 1990.
1987 also saw the arrival of Mary Azzopardi (backing vocals) and Wendy Matthews
(vocals). The pattern of using different vocalists continued for their first album, Tales of the City (1988). Matthews left to have chart success with the band Absent Friends
: a #4 single "I Don't Wanna Be With Nobody But You" (1989) and with her solo career including #2 in 1992 with "The Day You Went Away".
Rockmelons shared an ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Album in 1989 for their debut Tales of the City
(with 1927's
album ...ish). The album peaked at #6 on the Australian charts. By 1990 the Rockmelons were down to Medhurst and the Jones brothers after all others including founding member Dale had left.
and recorded their cover of Bill Withers
' "Ain't No Sunshine
" which reached #5 that year. Their follow-up single "That Word (L.O.V.E.)" (written by B. Jones, J. Jones, Medhurst and Robin Smith) reached #4. By 1992, Doug Williams had joined as a vocalist whilst Hines left to have success as a solo artist: #4 single "It's Alright" (1995). Rockmelons were nominated for ARIA Album Of The Year award in 1993 for Form 1 Planet
which debuted at #3 in August.
's "All I Want Is You" was nominated for 2003 APRA
Most Performed Dance Work. Other vocalist were: Roxane LeBrasse
, Darren Paul, Doug Williams, Emma Morton, Connie Michel, Sydney Bouchaniche, and Evelyn Rubuen.
The song "All I Want is You" was once used on Seven Network
idents aired throughout 2002.
) and Rockies 3 for their own group. Time of Our Lives for Marcia Hines
. "Hook me up" and "Let it Whip" for CDB
; No Commandments for Kaylan; two tracks for Disco Montego for Disco Montego
(aka Kaylan). Other Artists the Rockmelons have produced for include and Sophie Monk
.
Bryon Jones has worked as a producer for artists, especially Australian Idol
s such as Guy Sebastian
, Shannon Noll
, Kate DeAraugo
.
Jonathon Jones remixed "Love & Glory" for Tina Harrod.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/Dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
/R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
group formed in 1983 in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. They are based around Bryon Jones, his brother Jonathon Jones and Raymond Medhurst. They had two Top Five hit singles in the early 1990s with "Ain't No Sunshine
Ain't No Sunshine
"Ain't No Sunshine" is a song by Bill Withers from his 1971 album Just as I Am, produced by Booker T. Jones. The record featured musicians Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass guitar and Al Jackson, Jr. on drums, as well as Withers on lead vocals and guitar. The song was released as a single in September...
" and "That Word (L.O.V.E.)", both sung by Deni Hines
Deni Hines
Dohnyale "Deni" Sharon Hines is a solo R&B artist who had chart success in the 1990s in Australia and New Zealand. She is the daughter of Marcia Hines....
. The associated album, Form I Planet peaked at #3 on the albums chart in 1992.
Background
The group concept was formed in 1983 at a warehouse party in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
when Raymond Medhurst (keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
) wanted a band to perform for a private party. He contacted the Jones brothers Bryon (keyboards, bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals) and Jonathon (keyboards, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
) (both ex-Les Ukuleles, No Heavy Lifting), they asked Medhurst's schoolmate, Vincent Dale (keyboards) (ex-Ish with Bryon Jones) to join.
Tales of the City
Sandi Chick (lead vocals) and Peter Kennard (guitar, percussionPercussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
) entered in late 1983 and were followed closely by Geoffrey Stapleton (keyboards, guitar, percussion) (later in GANGgajang
GANGgajang
Gang Gajang are an Australian rock band who formed in 1984. The three principal figures in the original lineup were former Riptides frontman Mark "Cal" Callaghan and two former members of popular Australian hard rock band The Angels, bassist Chris Bailey and drummer Graham "Buzz"...
) in early 1984. Stapleton had worked with the Jones brothers when they were in Les Ukeleles and No Heavy Lifting by recording their songs. Vocalists Peter Blakeley
Peter Blakeley
Peter Blakeley is an Australian White Soul/Adult Contemporary singer and songwriter.Blakeley was a lead singer for The Rockmelons in the mid-1980s. He launched a solo career in 1987 and had a massive hit single in Australia in 1990 with "Crying in the Chapel", which was not a remake of the 1950s...
and John Kenny (known to Stapleton in Adelaide) were brought in and with Stephen Allkins (operated turntables at gigs) made them a ten-piece. First single "Time Out (For Serious Fun)" was released on Festival Records
Festival Records (Australia)
Festival Records was an Australian music recording and publishing company which was founded in Sydney in 1952 and operated until 2005....
(1985) and had lead vocals by Chick. The second single "Sweat It Out" had vocals by Blakeley on True Tone
True Tone Records (Australian label)
True Tone Records was an Australian based record label. It was founded by Michael Crawley in the 1980s. The label was distributed by Polygram Records.-History:...
(1986). Chick and Stapleton left that year. Third single "Rhymes" (1987) had vocals by John Kenny. Blakeley left in 1987 to go solo and had a #3 hit with "Crying in the Chapel" (not the Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
song) in 1990.
1987 also saw the arrival of Mary Azzopardi (backing vocals) and Wendy Matthews
Wendy Matthews
Wendy Joan Matthews is an Australian adult alternative pop singer originally from Canada who has been a member of Models and Absent Friends and is a solo artist...
(vocals). The pattern of using different vocalists continued for their first album, Tales of the City (1988). Matthews left to have chart success with the band Absent Friends
Absent Friends (band)
Absent Friends were an ARIA Award winning band from Sydney, Australia. The band was relatively short lived, forming in 1989 and disbanding in 1990...
: a #4 single "I Don't Wanna Be With Nobody But You" (1989) and with her solo career including #2 in 1992 with "The Day You Went Away".
Rockmelons shared an ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Album in 1989 for their debut Tales of the City
Tales of the City (album)
Tales of the City is the debut studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons. It was released in May 1988 on True Tone Records and peaked at number six on the Australian album charts...
(with 1927's
1927 (band)
1927 are an Australian pop/rock band formed in Melbourne in 1987 with James Barton on drums, Bill Frost on bass guitar, his brother Garry Frost on guitar and keyboards, and Erik Weideman on vocals, guitar and keyboards...
album ...ish). The album peaked at #6 on the Australian charts. By 1990 the Rockmelons were down to Medhurst and the Jones brothers after all others including founding member Dale had left.
Form 1 Planet
In 1991, Rockmelons recruited vocalist Deni HinesDeni Hines
Dohnyale "Deni" Sharon Hines is a solo R&B artist who had chart success in the 1990s in Australia and New Zealand. She is the daughter of Marcia Hines....
and recorded their cover of Bill Withers
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
' "Ain't No Sunshine
Ain't No Sunshine
"Ain't No Sunshine" is a song by Bill Withers from his 1971 album Just as I Am, produced by Booker T. Jones. The record featured musicians Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass guitar and Al Jackson, Jr. on drums, as well as Withers on lead vocals and guitar. The song was released as a single in September...
" which reached #5 that year. Their follow-up single "That Word (L.O.V.E.)" (written by B. Jones, J. Jones, Medhurst and Robin Smith) reached #4. By 1992, Doug Williams had joined as a vocalist whilst Hines left to have success as a solo artist: #4 single "It's Alright" (1995). Rockmelons were nominated for ARIA Album Of The Year award in 1993 for Form 1 Planet
Form 1 Planet
Form 1 Planet is the second studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons.-Track listing:All songs written by R. Medhurst, B. Jones, J. Jones, R...
which debuted at #3 in August.
Rockies 3
On Rockies 3 (2002), Rockmelons used eight different vocalists. Jeremy GregoryJeremy Gregory
Jeremy Gregory is a South-African born, Australian singer and musician. He has recorded with Australian bands The Rockmelons and Disco Montego, co-written minor commercial hits including Let It Go by Will Young, as well as performing his own work "That's What's Going Down", which was in the...
's "All I Want Is You" was nominated for 2003 APRA
Australasian Performing Right Association
The Australasian Performing Right Association is a copyright collective representing New Zealand and Australian composers, lyricists and music publishers. The association's head offices located in Sydney Australia, and it has branch offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth...
Most Performed Dance Work. Other vocalist were: Roxane LeBrasse
Roxane LeBrasse
Roxane LeBrasse was an Australian singer who reached #91 on the ARIA Singles Chart with "Sexy"....
, Darren Paul, Doug Williams, Emma Morton, Connie Michel, Sydney Bouchaniche, and Evelyn Rubuen.
The song "All I Want is You" was once used on Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
idents aired throughout 2002.
Producers
Collectively the trio of Medhurst, B. Jones and J. Jones (as Rockmelons) have produced (or co-produced): Tales of the City (with Robin Smith), Form 1 Planet (with Smith and Donovan GermainDonovan Germain
Donovan Germain is a reggae producer, one of the most successful of the digital era.-Biography:Germain's entry into the music industry was via his record shop in New York City in the 1970s. He began production in 1972, visiting Jamaica for recording sessions, working in both roots reggae and...
) and Rockies 3 for their own group. Time of Our Lives for Marcia Hines
Marcia Hines
Marcia Elaine Hines, AM is a vocalist, actress and TV personality who achieved success in her adopted homeland of Australia. Hines made her debut, at the age of sixteen, in the Australian version of the stage musical Hair and followed with the role of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar...
. "Hook me up" and "Let it Whip" for CDB
CDB (band)
CDB is an Australian R&B and dance group that started out in the 1990s, best known for their cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's "Let's Groove". Its original members were brothers Gary Pinto and Brad Pinto, as well as Andrew De Silva and Danny Williams...
; No Commandments for Kaylan; two tracks for Disco Montego for Disco Montego
Disco Montego
Disco Montego are an Australian R&B and dance music performance, song writing and production duo. The Dowlut brothers Dennis and Darren, formed Kaylan in Melbourne in 1995. They released an R&B album No Commandments in 2000, which reached No. 23 in Australia and spawned three Top 50...
(aka Kaylan). Other Artists the Rockmelons have produced for include and Sophie Monk
Sophie Monk
Sophie Charlene Akland Monk is a London-born Australian pop singer, actress and model. Monk was a member of female pop group Bardot and released a solo album Calendar Girl...
.
Bryon Jones has worked as a producer for artists, especially Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
s such as Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...
, Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll first came to prominence as runner-up of the first series of Australian Idol which led to him being signed to Sony BMG. Since then he has released five Top 10 albums and ten Top 10 singles. His first two albums That's What I'm Talking About in 2004 and Lift in 2005 debuted at No...
, Kate DeAraugo
Kate DeAraugo
Katherine Jenna "Kate" DeAraugo, pronounced de roosh , is an Australian singer-songwriter who was the third winner of Australian Idol in 2005. After idol, DeAraugo signed to Sony BMG and released her debut single, "Maybe Tonight", in November 2005. The single debuted and peaked at Number 1 on the...
.
Jonathon Jones remixed "Love & Glory" for Tina Harrod.
Albums
- Tales of the CityTales of the City (album)Tales of the City is the debut studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons. It was released in May 1988 on True Tone Records and peaked at number six on the Australian album charts...
- True Tone RecordsTrue Tone Records (Australian label)True Tone Records was an Australian based record label. It was founded by Michael Crawley in the 1980s. The label was distributed by Polygram Records.-History:...
(May, 1988) #6 AUS - Form 1 PlanetForm 1 PlanetForm 1 Planet is the second studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons.-Track listing:All songs written by R. Medhurst, B. Jones, J. Jones, R...
- Mushroom Records (July, 1992) #2 - Rockies 3 - Festival Records (October, 2002)
Singles
| Year | Title | Lead Vocalist | ARIA chart position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "Time Out (For Serious Fun)" | Sandi Chick | N/A | - |
| 1985 | "Sweat It Out" | Peter Blakeley Peter Blakeley Peter Blakeley is an Australian White Soul/Adult Contemporary singer and songwriter.Blakeley was a lead singer for The Rockmelons in the mid-1980s. He launched a solo career in 1987 and had a massive hit single in Australia in 1990 with "Crying in the Chapel", which was not a remake of the 1950s... |
N/A | - |
| 1987 | "Rhymes" | John Kenny | N/A | Tales of the City Tales of the City (album) Tales of the City is the debut studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons. It was released in May 1988 on True Tone Records and peaked at number six on the Australian album charts... |
| 1987 | "New Groove" | John Kenny | N/A | Tales of the City Tales of the City (album) Tales of the City is the debut studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons. It was released in May 1988 on True Tone Records and peaked at number six on the Australian album charts... |
| 1988 | "What's It Gonna Be" | John Kenny | N/A | Tales of the City Tales of the City (album) Tales of the City is the debut studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons. It was released in May 1988 on True Tone Records and peaked at number six on the Australian album charts... |
| 1988 | "Jump" | Wendy Matthews Wendy Matthews Wendy Joan Matthews is an Australian adult alternative pop singer originally from Canada who has been a member of Models and Absent Friends and is a solo artist... |
N/A | Tales of the City Tales of the City (album) Tales of the City is the debut studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons. It was released in May 1988 on True Tone Records and peaked at number six on the Australian album charts... |
| 1988 | "Dreams In The Empty City" | John Kenny | N/A | Tales of the City Tales of the City (album) Tales of the City is the debut studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons. It was released in May 1988 on True Tone Records and peaked at number six on the Australian album charts... |
| 1988 | "Boogietron" | Ensemble | N/A | Tales of the City Tales of the City (album) Tales of the City is the debut studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons. It was released in May 1988 on True Tone Records and peaked at number six on the Australian album charts... |
| 1991 | "Ain't No Sunshine" | Deni Hines Deni Hines Dohnyale "Deni" Sharon Hines is a solo R&B artist who had chart success in the 1990s in Australia and New Zealand. She is the daughter of Marcia Hines.... |
5 | Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet is the second studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons.-Track listing:All songs written by R. Medhurst, B. Jones, J. Jones, R... |
| 1992 | "That Word (L.O.V.E.)" | Deni Hines Deni Hines Dohnyale "Deni" Sharon Hines is a solo R&B artist who had chart success in the 1990s in Australia and New Zealand. She is the daughter of Marcia Hines.... |
4 | Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet is the second studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons.-Track listing:All songs written by R. Medhurst, B. Jones, J. Jones, R... |
| 1992 | "It's Not Over" | Deni Hines Deni Hines Dohnyale "Deni" Sharon Hines is a solo R&B artist who had chart success in the 1990s in Australia and New Zealand. She is the daughter of Marcia Hines.... |
15 | Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet is the second studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons.-Track listing:All songs written by R. Medhurst, B. Jones, J. Jones, R... |
| 1992 | "Stronger Together" | Doug Williams | - | Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet is the second studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons.-Track listing:All songs written by R. Medhurst, B. Jones, J. Jones, R... |
| 1992 | "Love's Gonna Bring You Home" | Doug Williams | - | Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet is the second studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons.-Track listing:All songs written by R. Medhurst, B. Jones, J. Jones, R... |
| 1993 | "Form One Planet" | Eric Sebastian | - | Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet Form 1 Planet is the second studio album by Australian rock band Rockmelons.-Track listing:All songs written by R. Medhurst, B. Jones, J. Jones, R... |
| 2002 | "All I Want Is You" | Jeremy Gregory Jeremy Gregory Jeremy Gregory is a South-African born, Australian singer and musician. He has recorded with Australian bands The Rockmelons and Disco Montego, co-written minor commercial hits including Let It Go by Will Young, as well as performing his own work "That's What's Going Down", which was in the... |
41 | Rockies 3 |
| 2002 | "I Ain't Playin'" | Roxane LeBrasse Roxane LeBrasse Roxane LeBrasse was an Australian singer who reached #91 on the ARIA Singles Chart with "Sexy".... |
79 | Rockies 3 |
| 2002 | "Police Woman 2002" (with Groove Quantize) | N/A | - | - |
External links
- Rockmelons at HowlSpace by Ed NimmervollEd NimmervollEdward Francis "Ed" Nimmervoll is an Australian rock music journalist, author and historian. He worked on rock magazines Go-Set and Juke both as a journalist and as an editor...