Words Peter ‘Joli’ Wilson
Sorting out my wardrobe is always an interesting experience as it’s overflowing with tees, caps and sweats from so many surf comps over the past couple of decades. This gem that I found right at the back comes close to the oldest and maybe the one with the most memories. A special edition from the World Premiere of Quiksilver’s video Mad Wax held at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney in the late 80s.
There are so many memories from the making of the film and organising the Premier. One huge one is that Ross Clarke Jones was not even in the original script. He surfed his way into the movie and into the lead role.
The memories of the actual premiere run in two parts. Getting the Enmore ready for the night was a huge job with some much pre publicity in a time when social media didn’t exist, right through to organising empty surf boxes, the washing detergent, which were then filled with blocks of Mad Wax, fluro sticks of La Zinc (Warpaint) and stickers placed on every seat to sorting the red carpet and the band.
The night stopped traffic outside the Enmore Theatre with busloads of frothing grommets arriving for the show. Mad Wax was a huge hit and as the credits finished the screen rose to a live performance from Ganggajang that absolutely rocked the capacity crowd.
The after party was massive and so was the green Mad Wax cake. All I can say is that after throwing down two pieces after not eating all day, I woke up the next morning back at my apartment on the Northern Beaches.
Click here: To see 40 Years of Quiksilver campaigns that featured in Tracks
