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.

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.

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.

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]

Rockmelons were nominated for ARIA Album Of The Year award in 1993 for Form 1 Planet^[5] which reached #2.^[6]

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.^[8] Other vocalist were: Roxane LeBrasse, Darren Paul, Doug Williams, Emma Morton, Connie Michel, Sydney Bouchaniche, and Evelyn Rubuen.^[9]

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] "Hook me up" and "Let it Whip" for CDB;^[9] No Commandments for Kaylan; two tracks for Disco Montego for Disco Montego (aka Kaylan).^[9] Other Artists the Rockmelons have produced for include 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]

Discography

Albums

1. Tales of the City (1988) #6 on Australian charts^[6]
2. Form 1 Planet (1992) #2^[6]
3. Rockies 3 (2002)

Singles

References

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