Biography: Ray Medhurst

Ray was born in early 1958 in Sydney. He went to school at Marist Brothers College, where he was two years behind Vince Dale. Ray's older brother was a musician who played in a band, occasionally lending equipment to Ray for projects.

Ray was interested in music, but was not able to play an instrument himself. In 1972 some of his school friends became interested in the local production of "Jesus Christ Superstar", attending it a number of times and hanging around backstage. They were inspired to attempt a school production, eliciting the support of the female music teacher and choir-mistress. In an attempt to widen the participation they posted a notice around the school asking for other students to join. David Stanmore volunteered as director and elicited help from fellow sixth-formers, including Vince Dale as musical director.

Ray played the part of Pontius Pilate in the production, and was basically the producer, pulling together the people and resources needed to mount the production. The school hierarchy made the school hall unavailable, and an alternative venue had to be found. A second, larger production at the local town hall followed later in the year.

Ray assisted Vince and two other musicians in playing at the end-of-year formal and concert with his brother's equipment, and by working the lights.

This seminal experience led to Ray applying for the three-year Production course at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) in 1976, where he met Bryon Jones. Ray sought the assistance of Vince Dale in his application.

Ray and Bryon formed a friendship over the 1976-8 period, working jointly on several productions, and sharing an interest in music. It was during this period that Ray coined the name Rockmelons as a silly name for a fictional band.

Upon completion of the course, both Ray and Bryon worked on the production side of lighting and sound companies and theatrical productions, including for Ellis D Fogg. Both Bryon and Ray were competent in lighting and sound design, including tape editing.

Ray began working at Phantom Records, an import record store and independent label. Following an initial flirtation with Punk music and fashion, he became interested in black urban electronic dance music, as well as reggae music.

Ray introduced Bryon to Vince Dale, when he was assembling a small pop group, "...ish".