Rockmelons
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rockmelons | |
|---|---|
| Origin |  Sydney, Australia |
| Genre(s) | Pop, Electronica, R&B |
| Years active | 1983 - present |
| Label(s) | Phantom, Festival, True Tone, Mushroom |
| Associated acts | Wendy Matthews, Deni Hines, GANGgajang |
| Members | |
| Raymond Medhurst Bryon Jones Jonathon Jones |
|
| Former members | |
| Vincent Dale Sandi Chick Peter Kennard Geoff Stapleton Peter Blakeley John Kenny Stephen Allkins Mary Azzopardi Wendy Matthews Deni Hines Doug Williams Eric Sebastian Jeremy Gregory Roxane LeBrasse |
|
The Rockmelons are an Australian Pop/Dance/R&B group; based around Bryon Jones, Jonathon Jones and Raymond Medhurst.[1] Often referred to as the Rockies they are best known for their early 1990s Top five hits: "Ain't No Sunshine" and "That Word (L.O.V.E.)" both sung by Deni Hines.
Contents |
[edit] Background
The group concept was formed at a warehouse party in Sydney (1983) when Medhurst (keyboards)[1] wanted a band to perform for a private party.[2] He contacted the Jones brothers Bryon (keyboards, bass guitar, backing vocals)[1] and Jonathon (keyboards, guitar, drums)[1] (both were in Les Ukuleles and No Heavy Lifting), they asked Ray's schoolmate, Vincent Dale (keyboards)[1] (had been in Ish with Bryon Jones) to join.
[edit] Tales of the city
Sandi Chick (vocals) and Peter Kennard (guitar, percussion) entered in 1983 and were followed closely by Geoffrey Stapleton (keyboards, guitar, percussion) (later in GANGgajang).[1] Stapleton had worked with the Jones brothers in Les Ukeleles and No Heavy Lifting recording their songs.[3] 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.[1] First single "Time Out (For Serious Fun)" (1985) had vocals by Chick and second "Sweat It Out" had Peter Blakeley (1985). Chick and Stapleton left that year. Third single "Rhymes" (1987) had John Kenny. Blakeley left in 1987 to go solo and had a #3 hit with "Crying in the Chapel" (not the Presley song) in 1990.[4] 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 success with the band Absent Friends: a #4 single "I Don't Wanna Be With Nobody But You" (1989)[4] and with her solo career including #2 in 1992 with "The Day You Went Away".[4]
Rockmelons shared an ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Album in 1989 for their debut Tales of the City (with 1927's album ...ish).[5] The album had peaked at #6 on the Australian charts.[6] By 1990 the Rockmelons were down to Medhurst and the Jones brothers after all others including founding member Dale had left.
[edit] Form 1 Planet
In 1991, Rockmelons recruited vocalist Deni Hines and recorded their cover of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" which reached #5 that year.[4] Their follow-up single "That Word (L.O.V.E.)" (written by B. Jones, J. Jones, Medhurst and Robin Smith)[7] reached #4.[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).[4] Also on the album is "Rain" a #2 hit in 1983[8] for Australian / New Zealand band Dragon with lead vocals supplied by the song's co-writer Johanna Pigott[7] and backing vocals by her partner (and another co-writer), Dragon's Todd Hunter.[9]
Rockmelons were nominated for ARIA Album Of The Year award in 1993 for Form 1 Planet[5] which reached #2.[6]
[edit] Rockies 3
On Rockies 3 (2002), Rockmelons used eight different vocalists![6] Jeremy Gregory's "All I Want Is You" was nominated for 2003 APRA Most Performed Dance Work.[10] Other vocalist were: Roxane LeBrasse, Darren Paul, Doug Williams, Emma Morton, Connie Michel, Sydney Bouchaniche, and Evelyn Rubuen.[9]
[edit] 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 Germain) and Rockies 3 for their own group.[9] Time of Our Lives for Marcia Hines.[1] No Commandments for Kaylan; two tracks on Disco Montego for Disco Montego (aka Kaylan).[9] Disco Montego's song "Beautiful" sung by Katie Underwood had won the 2003 APRA award against Rockmelons' "All I Want Is You".[10] Other Artists the Rockmelons have produced for include CDB and Sophie Monk.
Bryon Jones (sometimes credited as "Byron Jones") has worked as a producer for artists, especially Australian Idols such as Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Kate DeAraugo[9].
Jonathon Jones remixed "Love & Glory" for Tina Harrod.[9]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
[edit] 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 | N/A | - |
| 1987 | "Rhymes" | John Kenny | N/A | Tales of the City |
| 1987 | "New Groove" | John Kenny | N/A | Tales of the City |
| 1988 | "What's It Gonna Be" | John Kenny | N/A | Tales of the City |
| 1988 | "Jump" | Wendy Matthews | N/A | Tales of the City |
| 1988 | "Dreams In The Empty City" | John Kenny | N/A | Tales of the City |
| 1988 | "Boogietron" | Ensemble | N/A | Tales of the City |
| 1991 | "Ain't No Sunshine" | Deni Hines | 5 | Form 1 Planet |
| 1992 | "That Word (L.O.V.E.)" | Deni Hines | 4 | Form 1 Planet |
| 1992 | "It's Not Over" | Deni Hines | 15 | Form 1 Planet |
| 1992 | "Stronger Together" | Doug Williams | - | Form 1 Planet |
| 1992 | "Love's Gonna Bring You Home" | Doug Williams | - | Form 1 Planet |
| 1993 | "Form One Planet" | Eric Sebastian | - | Form 1 Planet |
| 2002 | "All I Want Is You" | Jeremy Gregory | 41 | Rockies 3 |
| 2002 | "I Ain't Playin'" | Roxane LeBrasse | 79 | Rockies 3 |
| 2002 | "Police Woman 2002" (with Groove Quantize) | N/A | - | - |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ HowlSpace article on Rockmelons. HowlSpace. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Geoffrey Stapleton. Rockmelons. GANGgajang Official Website. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ a b c d e f Australian charts. australian-charts.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ a b ARIA Awards. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ a b c d e Maree Hamblion. Profile on Rockmelons. EMI Music Publishing Australia. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ a b Australasian Performing Right Association. APRA. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Best of 1983. Oz Net Music Chart. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ a b c d e f Rockmelons. Discogs. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ a b 2003 Most performed dance work. Australasian Performing Right Association. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
