ABSENT FRIENDS

Following the break-up of Models in 1988, Sean Kelly attempted to launch a solo career with the single "Thank You, Goodnight" (March 1988) (which happened to be the name of Models' last tour), but the single was not a commercial success and in early 1989 Kelly found himself at a loose end. Kelly contacted a number of friends, with a view of putting together an informal band to play a few gigs. The impromptu cooperative was initially dubbed Sean Kelly and His Absent Friends. The initial line-up varied, usually dependent upon the availability of individual members at any given time. Sean Kelly and His Absent Friends kicked off life as a touring act in May 1989, with Kelly on vocals/guitar joined on occasion by his partner Wendy Matthews on vocals (who performed backing vocals for Models and was a guest vocalist on the Rockmelons debut and ARIA award winning album, 'Tales of the City'), Garry Gary Beers (the bassist for INXS), Nicole Ainslie (keyboards/vocals), ex Models members Andrew Duffield on keyboards and James Valentine on saxophone, Danglin' Brothers guitarist Michael King and drummer John Mackay (ex-Machinations). Within a couple of months, the high-profile group were supporting Crowded House at their July 1989 'Rock For Land Rights' concert.

In late 1989 the band entered the recording studio to record a few original tracks that they had been playing live. The lineup was Sean Kelly, Wendy Mathews, Roger Mason, Michael King, Andrew Duffield, Nicole Ainslie, Jon Farris, John Mackay, Gary Beers and James Valentine. The first single released by the newly named Absent Friends was "Hallelujah" in November 1989. The single peaked at #100 on the ARIA Charts in January 1990. In March 1990, a second single titled "Hullabaloo" was released and peaked at #46 on the Australian charts. The album, 'Here's Looking Up Your Address' was released on rooArt in April 1990 and peaked at #7 on the ARIA Charts. The album was also released in the UK, Japan, Indonesia and Germany.

The album's third single, "I Don't Want to Be with Nobody but You" was a significant commercial success. It is a cover of the 1976 Dorothy Moore song, written by Eddie Floyd. "I Don't Want to Be with Nobody but You" peaked at #4 on the Australian charts in July 1990 and was certified gold. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1991, the song won the ARIA Award for Best Single. The single was also released in the UK, France and Germany. The album yielded one more minor hit with "Harmony" reaching #92 on the Australian singles charts. The band toured Australia throughout 1990, out of which a promotion live mini album, 'Networking Live' was reordered.

Later in 1990, Absent Friends supported INXS on an eight-week European tour, with bassist Ron Francois (ex-Eurogliders) taking Beers' place and keyboardist Geoff Stapleton (ex-GANGjagang) filling the void on keyboards left by the departure of Duffield. Ainslie and Valentine also left the band at this time. The band played 10,000 seat stadiums through Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland and England (including five performances at Wembley Arena). Soon after Kelly decided that Absent Friends had run its course, and the band members went their separate ways. Matthews soon after recorded her debut album, 'Émigré', whilst Kelly and Stapleton pieced together another band during 1991 called The Dukes. 

Members

Wendy Matthews (vocals), Sean Kelly (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Garry Gary Beers (bass), Michael King (guitar), John Mackay (drums, percussion, piano), James Valentine (sax, clarinet), Nicole Ainslie (keyboards), Ron François (bass), Geoff Stapleton (keyboards), Andrew Duffield (keyboards), Roger Mason (keyboards), Jon Farris (drums)

SINGLES
''Hallelujah (#100) / Hallelujah (Hands Up Mix)'' 1989 rooArt 
''Hullabaloo (#46) / A Short Walk'' 1990 rooArt 
''I Don't Want To Be With Nobody But You (#4) / Hallelujah'' 1990 rooArt 
''Harmony (#92) / The Water Is Wide'' 1990 rooArt 

EPs
'Networking Live' 1990 rooArt

ALBUMS

'Here's Looking Up Your Address' (#7) 1990 rooArt

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absent_Friends_%28band%29

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/