Rockmelons

Background

The group concept was formed in 1983 at a warehouse party in Sydney 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.

Tales of the City

Sandi Chick (lead vocals) and Peter Kennard (guitar, percussion) 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 Phantom Records (4 February 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 in Australia 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, including an Australian #4 single "I Don't Want to Be with Nobody but You" (1990), and with her solo career, including an Australian #2 single 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.

Form 1 Planet

In 1991, Rockmelons recruited vocalist Deni Hines and recorded their cover of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" which reached #5 in Australia in January 1992, and was certified gold. Their follow-up single "That Word (L.O.V.E.)" (written by B. Jones, J. Jones, Medhurst and Robin Smith) reached #4 in Australia, and was also certified gold. By 1992, Doug Williams had joined as a vocalist whilst Hines left to have success as a solo artist, with the "It's Alright" single (1995) peaking at #4 in Australia. Rockmelons were nominated for ARIA Album of the Year award in 1993 for Form 1 Planet, which peaked at #3 in Australia in August 1992 and was certified platinum by ARIA.

Rockies 3

Rockmelons' third album, Rockies 3 was released in October 2002. Rockmelons used eight different vocalists. Jeremy Gregory'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, Sydney Bouchaniche, and Evelyn Rubuen.

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; Time of Our Lives for Marcia Hines, "Hook Me Up" and "Let it Whip" for CDB, No Commandments for Kaylan, and two tracks for Disco Montego for Disco Montego (aka Kaylan). The Rockmelons have also produced music for Sophie Monk.

Bryon Jones, also known as Bry Jones, has worked as a producer for artists, especially Australian Idol contestants such as Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Anthony Callea, Casey Donovan, Jessica Mauboy, Damien Leith, Kate DeAraugo, Stan Walker, and Wes Carr. He has also produced The Voice artists Rachael Leahcar, Harrison Craig, and Fatai; and The X Factor artist Jason Owen. Bryon also produced the music and soundtrack for the Australian movie The Sapphires, featuring Jessica Mauboy.

Jonathon Jones remixed "Love & Glory" for Tina Harrod.

Albums