Following the break-up of
Models in 1988,
Sean Kelly attempted to launch a solo career with the single "Thank You, Goodnight" (March 1988) (which happened to be the name of Models' last tour), but the single was not a commercial success and in early 1989 Kelly found himself at a loose end. Kelly contacted a number of friends, with a view of putting together an informal band to play a few gigs. The impromptu cooperative was initially dubbed Sean Kelly and His Absent Friends. The initial line-up varied, usually dependent upon the availability of individual members at any given time. Sean Kelly and His Absent Friends kicked off life as a touring act in May 1989, with Kelly (vocals/guitar) joined on occasion by his partner
Wendy Matthews (vocals)(who performed backing vocals for Models and was a guest vocalist on the
Rockmelons debut and
ARIA award winning album,
Tales of the City),
Garry Gary Beers (the bassist for
INXS), Nicole Ainslie (keyboards/vocals),
Andrew Duffield (keyboards) ex-Models, James Valentine (saxophone) ex-Models, Danglin' Brothers guitarist Michael King ex-
Jimmy Barnes, and drummer John Mackay ex-
Machinations. Within a couple of months the high-profile group were supporting Crowded House at their July 1989 'Rock For Land Rights' concert. The album yielded one more minor hit with "Harmony" reaching number 92 on the Australian singles charts. Ainslie and Valentine also left the band at this time. whilst Kelly and Stapleton pieced together another band during 1991 called
The Dukes. ==Members==