Mondo Rock

Most famous as lead singer with Daddy Cool, Ross Wilson's longest job in music was in front of Mondo Rock.

After just one album with the post-Daddy Cool group Mighty Kong, Ross Wilson chose to sit out the record contract which originated from the Daddy Cool period. Three years of silence on record during which he concentrated on producing the records of others (Skyhooks, Johnnies) came to an end with a solo single in August 1976, 'Living In The Land Of Oz' on Ross' own label, Oz.

For live performances Ross needed a group and, shy about leaping back into the commitment and politics which came with a permanent group, Ross resolved that each line-up would only be together for a given period, when he would reassemble a new line-up for another set period of performances. Whoever else comprised the group it performed under the banner Ross Wilson's Mondo Rock ("World of Rock").

Under that system four different line-ups saw Mondo Rock through the first three years, from 'Living In The Land Of Oz' to 'Fugitive Kind', and the first Mondo Rock album 'Primal Park'.

In February 1980 Ross assembled a new Mondo Rock. Matchbox guitarist Eric McCusker had wanted to be considered for some time, and was now given his chance. He came into the group with a set of songs which changed everything. Suddenly the pressure was off Ross' own songwriting. Between them McCusker and Wilson now had a set of songs to do more with than just rattle around the pub scene. Also, Ross's Oz Records was no more. The novelty of producing other people's records had worn off. Ross felt it was time to throw himself back into a full-fledged recording and performing career. And now that Mondo Rock had at least two permanent members there was no reason for not trying to make the rest of the positions in the band permanent too.

The first release under a new record contract with the Festival-distributed Avenue Records was 'State Of The Heart', a McCusker ballad showing off Wilson's near-falsetto. They followed that national top ten hit with 'Cool World', and the title of the 'Chemistry' album.

On the strength of that success Mondo Rock moved to a world-wide deal with Warners, Atlantic in America. Against the group's wishes the American company insisted on editing 'State Of The Heart' down from its four and a half minutes and it failed to make an impression. At home the group started its account with Warners with another hit, 'Summer Of '81' from the 'Nuovo Mondo' album. There were periodical changes in the line-up but Mondo Rock had established itself as one of the most consistent, if unspectacular, bands on the Australian recording and concert scenes. The fourth Mondo Rock album, 'The Modern Bop' contained the band's biggest hit, the provocative 'Come Said The Boy'. Again the international music world pricked up its ears in interest, and again, for whatever reason, that interest didn't evolve into success.

In 1985 Mondo Rock signed a new recording contract with Polydor and launched that relationship with a 'Best Of' album 'Up To The Moment' containing two new singles. The all-new 'Boom Baby Boom' album, featuring another slightly altered line-up, was modestly received at home in Australia but one of its singles, 'Primitive Live Rites', achieved top ten status in pockets of America. But it was a little too late. Mondo Rock had run out of steam.

Ross Wilson took time out to record the first solo album of his 24 year old career with 1989's 'Dark Side Of The Man'. Then Ross and Eric McCusker put together one more Mondo Rock album, with studio musicians and no intention to tour. After the release of 'Why Fight It?' Mondo Rock was officially folded, Ross Wilson to enter another period of hibernation and recharging his creative batteries, Eric McCusker to concentrate of the music industry's back room. Eric rejoined Ross' solo backing band in 2001 and in November they reformed Mondo Rock for the national 'Here And Now' tour with other nostalgia acts.

More recently Mondo Rock took part in the 2006 Countdown Spectacular concerts performing a medley of 'Cool World' and 'Summer Of '81', and a full version of 'Come Said The Boy'.