In November 1983, Mondo Rock released 'Come Said The Boy', a song about a teenage boy losing his virginity on a beach. By today's standards, the track was tame, but it sparked outrage from a Sydney cardinal who heard it on the radio.
The cardinal, whose name singer Ross Wilson could not recall, reportedly called 2SM—the biggest radio station in Sydney at the time, owned by the Catholic Church—and demanded they stop playing the song, claiming it promoted 'teen love'. The station complied, and the ban generated significant publicity, propelling the song to number 2 on the charts.
Decades later, the song is being revived as part of Wilson's '50 Years of Hits' tour, which has included over 200 shows. Wilson noted that the crowd is a mix of longtime fans and younger listeners who have discovered Mondo Rock through social media.
Wilson reflected on the band's legacy, noting that many younger fans are surprised to learn he was also the frontman of Daddy Cool. He attributed the transformation from a 'hairy hippie' to a 'suave-looking' performer to growing up and taking on family responsibilities.
The tour continues with a performance at Anita's Theatre on May 9, where Wilson and his band the Peaceniks will play hits spanning his career.
