When St Kilda Councilor Serge Thomann planned his election fundraising concert a month ago, James Freud was one of the first people to offer to play. No one was prepared for what would happen two weeks later. James Freud took his life.
As well as Freud, his Models band mate Sean Kelly was also confirmed to play, as was Kate Ceberano, who had sung on Freud’s big Models hit ‘Out of Mind, Out Of Sight’ in 1985. Harrison and Jackson Freud, James’ sons, with their band Attack of the Mannequins were also on the bill.
Now two weeks after James’ passing, they all could have cancelled, with good reason. The show did go on but as a tribute to James.
Sean Kelly and Kate Ceberano joined Attack of the Mannequins on stage at The Palace in Melbourne last night and performed ‘Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight’ “for dad”. Sean also did a heartfelt solo version of ‘Barbados’, the big Models hit that would later inspire the title of Freud’s first book with the line ‘I Am The Voice Left From Drinking’. Sean’s voice cracked as he sang it.
The concert was to benefit the Victorian state election efforts of Serge Thomann. Thomann is a well-known music industry identity in Melbourne, a music photographer by trade and he is currently a councilor for the seat of St Kilda.
Councilor Thomann is running as an independent for the seat of Albert Park on November 27.
