Rockmelons

Career

The group concept originated at a warehouse party in Sydney in 1983 when Raymond Medhurst wanted a band for a private party. He recruited Bryon Jones, Jonathon Jones, and schoolmate Vincent Dale. Sandi Chick and Peter Kennard joined later in 1983, followed by Geoffrey Stapleton in early 1984. Stapleton had worked with the Jones brothers in earlier groups.

Vocalists Peter Blakeley and John Kenny were brought in, and Stephen Allkins operated turntables, making the group a ten-piece. Their first single, "Time Out (For Serious Fun)", was released on Phantom Records in February 1985 with Chick on lead vocals. A second single, "Sweat It Out", followed in September 1985 with Blakeley singing. Chick and Stapleton left that year.

In 1987, Mary Azzopardi and Wendy Matthews joined. The group released a cover of Al Green's "Rhymes" in June 1987 with John Kenny on vocals, followed by "New Groove" in November 1987 and "What's It Gonna Be" in February 1988, all peaking in the Australian top 50.

Their debut album Tales of the City was released in May 1988 and reached number 9. At the 1989 ARIA Awards, Rockmelons shared the Breakthrough Artist – Album award with 1927's ...ish. By 1990, only Medhurst and the Jones brothers remained.

Producers

As a trio, Medhurst and the Jones brothers have produced or co-produced work for Marcia Hines, CDB, Kaylan, and Disco Montego, as well as music for Sophie Monk. Bryon Jones has produced for many Australian Idol contestants including Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, and Jessica Mauboy, and for The Voice and The X Factor artists. He also produced the music and soundtrack for the film The Sapphires. Jonathon Jones remixed "Love & Glory" for Tina Harrod.

Awards and nominations

At the APRA Awards, the song "All I Want Is You" was nominated for Most Performed Dance Work in 2003. At the ARIA Music Awards, the group won Breakthrough Artist – Album in 1989 for Tales of the City, and was nominated for Best Dance Release in 1995 for "Stronger Together".