ROCKMELONS

Rockmelons, often referred to as the Rockies, was pop/dance/R&B group formed in 1983 in Sydney. 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) and Medhurst's schoolmate, Vincent Dale (keyboards) to join.

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.

The group's first single, "Time Out (For Serious Fun)", was released on Phantom Records on 4 February 1985 with lead vocals by Chick. A second single, "Sweat It Out" was released in September of the same year with vocals by Blakeley. Chick and Stapleton left that year. 1987 saw the arrival of Mary Azzopardi (backing vocals) and Wendy Matthews (vocals). The pattern of using different vocalists continued during the recording of their debut album. In June 1987, the group released "Rhymes", a cover of a 1974 song by Al Green with vocals by John Kenny. In November 1987, the group released "New Groove", which was followed by "What's It Gonna Be" in February 1988. All three singles peaked inside the Australian top 50. The album 'Tales of the City' was released in May 1988 and peaked at #9 on the Australian charts. Three further singles were released from the album in 1988.

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1989, Rockmelons shared the ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Album with 1927's album ...ish.  By 1990 the Rockmelons were down to Medhurst and the Jones brothers after all others including founding member Dale had left. 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. Rockmelons' third album, Rockies 3 was released in October 2002. Rockmelons used eight different vocalists on the album. The Jeremy Gregory lead single "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.

Members

Bryon Jones (keyboards, bass), Jonathon Jones (keyboards, guitar, drums), Raymond Medhurst (keyboards), Vincent Dale (keyboards), Peter Blakeley (vocals), John Kenny (vocals), Stephen Allkins (turntables), Deni Hines (vocals), Doug Williams (vocals), Sandi Chick (vocals) Peter Kennard (guitar, percussion) Geoffrey Stapleton (keyboards, guitar, percussion)

SINGLES

Rhymes

20 JUL '87

#26

New Groove

14 DEC '87

#21

What's it Gonna Be?

28 MAR '88

#41

Thief

22 AUG '88

#81

Jump

24 OCT '88

#78

Ain't No Sunshine

feat. Deni Hines

3 NOV '91

#5

That Word (L.O.V.E.)

feat. Deni Hines

26 APR '92

#4

It's Not Over

feat. Deni Hines

16 AUG '92

#15

Form One Planet

feat. Eric Sebastian

17 JAN '93

#73

Stronger Together

18 SEP '94

#96

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockmelons

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