Page founded by Adam Robert-Jones Dean, 2011. International acts included THE CURE in their formative years. Influential American blues and rock'n'roll legend BO DIDDLEY also played there. Local acts included THE CHURCH, MIDNIGHT OIL, INXS, AC/DC, MODELS, SKYHOOKS, MEN AT WORK, HUNTERS & COLLECTORS and JEFF DUFF among many others. Following closure in the 1990s, the former venue has become a cons
picuous blend of suburbia - surviving today as a Dan Murphy's liquor store with little reminders of the original hotel that was first constructed in 1857. Join this page if you attended a gig here or are interested in celebrating the more colourful history of the place. HISTORY (Work in Progress)
* Built in 1857.
* 1858:
The hotel appears on a geological map of Melbourne. It is labelled as "The Prospect VIEW" not "The Prospect HILL".
* The early Licensees were:
1858-61 - Daniel Litton Reed
1862-64 - John Ormond
1865/77 - Dennis Scanlon
Sept 1871 - W. Ellerket
1878/84 - John Kearney
1887/90 - Miss B. Hurley
1891 - William Cody
1895 - B. Cody
1948 - Horrie Clover
* Later Licensees
1974 - 81 - Ronald Jabke
* 1885:
Refurbished.
* 1889:
By the start of 1889, the hotel became Kew's first meeting place for the Ancient Order of Free & Accepted Masons.
* 1936:
The hotel was rebuilt to the designs of Robert H. McIntyre, father of noted architect Peter McIntyre. Robert H McIntyre specialised in hotels and was responsible for a great many hotel designs in the 1930s, including: the rebuilding of the Prince of Wales Hotel, St. Kilda (1936); the Prospect Hill Hotel, Kew (1936); the Hotel Max, Prahran (c.1937); alterations and additions to the Alpine Hotel, Bright (1938); alterations and additions to the Cumberland Hotel, Castlemaine (1938); the Railway Hotel, Yarraville (1938); complete reconstruction of the City Club Hotel, Collins Street (1938); extensive alterations to the Toorak Hotel, Toorak Village (1938); and, additions and modernisation of the Palace Hotel, Racecourse Road, Newmarket (1939).
* The Prospect was renovated several times since.
* 1968: THE VICTORIAN JAZZ CLUB
The Victorian Jazz Club opened with its first gig at the Prospect. The original name given to the gig on a Thursday night was Jazz ‘n’ Jug. In 1969 the VJC expanded to two nights, Thursdays and Fridays charging $1 entry, – 50 cents for the Club and 50 cents for the supper. (Supper was provided to conform with the liquor laws of the day). Later in 1969 the Club expanded to two venues – the Prospect Hotel, Kew and the Manor House Hotel (formerly the Britannia Hotel). Initial membership of the club was 50cents, then after much committee debate rose to $1, and in 1972 rose again to $3. In January 1971 after over 2 years of great success, the publican of the Prospect Hill Hotel terminated the agreement with the VJC, virtually without notice, and decided to run his own jazz program. http://www.victorianjazzclub.com/?page_id=53
* A very, very abbreviated list of 70s and 80s gigs at The Prospect:
* 1976: COLD CHISEL (March 17)
* 1977: SKYHOOKS (March 28)
* 1977: STARS featuring Andy Durant (September 20)
* 1977: SKYHOOKS (December 26)
* 1978: SKYHOOKS (January 16)
* 1978: LAST CHANCE CAFE (February 24)
* 1978: PHIL MANNING (February 25)
* 1978: BLACK MAGIC (February 25)
* 1978: AIR SUPPLY (February 27)
* 1978: MONDO ROCK (February 28)
* 1978: AYERS ROCK (March 1)
* 1978: THE LIVING LEGENDS (March 2)
* 1978: STYLUS (March 3)
* 1978: JEFF DUFF (March 4)
* 1978: MISS NOVA (March 4)
* 1978: AIR SUPPLY (March 6)
* 1978: MONDO ROCK (March 7)
* 1978: NIGHT FLYERS (March 8)
* 1978: THE LIVING LEGENDS (March 9)
* 1978: COLD CHISEL (April 25)
* 1978: MADDER LAKE (May 2)
* 1978: RUSSELL MORRIS & BAND (May 3)
* 1978: STYLUS (May 4)
* 1978: TOURISTS (May 5)
* 1978: RED HOT PEPPERS (May 6, arvo)
* 1978: GYPSY (May 6, evening)
* 1978: SIDEWINDER (May 8)
* 1978: MADDER LAKE (May 9)
* 1978: SIDEWINDER (June 5)
* 1978: PHIL MANNING BAND (September 16)
* 1979: LOOSE TROUSERS (Feb 19)
* 1979: MONDO ROCK (Feb 20)
* 1979: PRESSURE DROP (Feb 21)
* 1979: MIKE RUDD'S INSTANT REPLAY (Feb 22)
* 1979: THE RUSSELL MORRIS BAND (Feb 23)
* 1979: THE CAPTAIN MATCHBOX WHOPPEE BAND (Feb 24, arvo)
* 1979: STOCKLEY SEE & MASON (Feb 24, evening)
* 1979: JIM KEAYS BAND (Feb 25)
* 1979: THE ELKS (Feb 26)
* 1979: MONDO ROCK (Feb 27)
* 1979: SKYHOOKS (March 21)
* 1979: SKYHOOKS (March 28)
* 1979: SKYHOOKS (May 2)
* 1979: MONDO ROCK (Jun 14)
* 1979: STOCKLEY SEE & MASON (Jun 15)
* 1979: BLACK MAGIC (Jun 16)
* 1979: MATCHBOX (Sep 22)
* 1980: SKYHOOKS (January 28)
* 1980: SKYHOOKS (March 23)
* 1980: SKYHOOKS (April 22)
* 1980: SKYHOOKS (May 1)
* 1980: SKYHOOKS (May 8)
* 1980: SWEET JAYNE (July 19, arvo)
* 1980: HOT CLUB (July 19, evening)
* 1980: THE ELKS (Aug 16)
* 1980: THE ELKS (Aug 22)
* 1980: THE CURE (August 26)
The band played a mixture of tracks from both albums to a rapturous crowd. The Cure were called back for three long encores. By the end of the night, we'd heard every track from both albums (some twice), along with every B-side, a free-form jam and a cover of Hendrix's Foxy Lady. When the Cure toured a year later they played bigger venues and to bigger crowds. But it's the Prospect Hill Hotel gig that I remember with the most fondness. ~ Bruce Milne, The Age, Dec 2011.
* 1980: THE LONELY HEARTS (Aug 27)
* 1980: RICHARD CLAPTON (Sep 9)
* 1980: REDGUM (Nov 7)
* 1981: THE LONELY HEARTS (Jan 27)
* 1981: INXS (Apr 19)
* 1981: MEN AT WORK (May 2)
* 1981: THE CHEKS (July 6 - free show)
* 1981: SPECIAL GUESTS (July 7)
* 1981: DYNAMIC HEPNOTICS plus SENSATIONAL BODGIES (July 8)
* 1981: MARSHA HUNT (July 9)
* 1981: THE FABULAIRES (July 10)
* 1981: JENNIFER LEE BAND (July 11 - afternoon)
* 1981: THE CHURCH (July 11)
Starting from July 1981, The Church begin playing regularly at The Prospect. They will go on to play the venue at least 10 times over the next 5 years.
* 1981: RUSSELL MORRIS & THE RUBES (July 12)
* 1981: 88's (July 13 - free show)
* 1981: AUSTRALIAN CRAWL (July 14)
* 1981: SWANEE plus HITMEN (July 15)
* 1981: WENDY & THE ROCKETTS (July 16)
* 1981: MATT FINISH featuring Matt Moffitt (August 2)
* 1981: MIDNIGHT OIL (September 22)
Part of their "Scorching of the Earth" tour, the show preceded the release of their 3rd album, PLACE WITHOUT A POSTCARD. The gig survives today as an audience bootleg.
* 1981: JIMMY AND THE BOYS (Sept 23)
* 1981: THE CHURCH (October 11)
* 1981: Article published in The Age: "Rock Around The Block" (Nov 6)
The Prospect has been a survivor in a business not noted for it. For many years it has provided a stage for acts from straight jazz through to rock 'n' roll. Nowadays it's bigger and better than ever before. It can easily accommodate a popular band with a big following. There are ample tables and chairs, a large bar but a small dance floor. There was a time when it wasn't very large or comfortable, and followers were expected to watch bands around the corner. But one year ago, the middle suburban hotel was given a dramatic facelift. Now all the followers have to contend with are a few pylons and the decor which is a cross between a bomb shelter and a still from 'American Graffiti'. Admission prices range between $3 and $6, and the doors are open every night of the week, including Sunday. Bar prices are very reasonable - a pot of beer costs 80 cents, Crown Lager $1.40, and spirits are lower priced than at most venues. Food is served from 6 pm onwards. The faces and fashions of The Prospect's clientele haven't changed much in the past ten years - only the people have. The pub doesn't employ bouncers, and never needs them. Rock 'n' roll at the Prospect is good, clean fun.
* 1981: INXS (Oct 7)
* 1981: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (Nov 13)
* 1981: THE SPORTS (Led by Stephen Cummings)
Shortly before their departure for England and the Rumour tour, Sports played a fitting last stand in a small but packed room at the Prospect Hill Hotel in Kew.
* 1981: ERIC BURDEN BAND (Nov 24)
English singer and songwriter, previously the lead vocalist of the R&B and rock band The Animals and the funk band War.
* 1981: INXS (Dec 3)
* 1981: KEVIN BORICH and THE LONELY HEARTS (Dec 6)
* 1981: MONDO ROCK (Dec 30)
* 1982: THE CHURCH (Jan 17)
* 1982: MISEX (Jan 19)
* 1982: GOANNA (Jan 23)
* 1982: THE LAUGHING CLOWNS (Jan 24)
* 1982: THE SWINGERS (Jan 24)
* 1982: YOUNG HOME BUYERS (Jan 25)
* 1982: GOANNA (Jan 30)
* 1982: SHERBET (Jan 31)
* 1982: RENEE GEYER (Feb 2)
* 1982: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (Feb 5)
* 1982: GOANNA (Feb 6)
* 1982: FJ HOLDENS AND THE FIVES (Feb 7)
* 1982: UNCANNY XMEN (Feb 8)
* 1982: HEAVEN (Feb 9)
* 1982: MARC HUNTER (Feb 9)
* 1982: SHERBET (Feb 11)
* 1982: RUSSELL MORRIS AND THE RUBES (Feb 12)
* 1982: BRODERICK SMITHS BIG COMBO (Feb 14)
* 1982: MOVING PICTURES (Feb 16)
* 1982: JEFF ST JOHN BAND (Feb 18)
* 1982: JO JO ZEP & THE FALCONS (Feb 19)
* 1982: GOANNA (Feb 20)
* 1982: RUSSELL MORRIS AND THE RUBES (Feb 21)
* 1982: JEFF ST JOHN BAND (Feb 23)
* 1982: THE LAUGHING CLOWNS (Feb 24)
* 1982: THE SWINGERS (Feb 24)
* 1982: YOUNG HOME BUYERS (Feb 25)
* 1982: SUNNYBOYS (Feb 25)
* 1982: JO JO ZEP & THE FALCONS (Feb 26)
* 1982: GOANNA (Feb 27)
* 1982: MOTHER GOOSE (Feb 28)
* 1982: DEAR ENEMY (March 1)
* 1982: REDGUM (March 2)
* 1982: JO JO ZEP & THE FALCONS (March 19)
* 1982: HEAVEN (March 20)
* 1982: BRIAN CADD (March 21)
* 1982: MARK PEALING AND THE IDEALISTS (March 21)
* 1982: DEAR ENEMY (March 22)
* 1982: KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS (March 25)
* 1982: DYNAMIC HEPNOTICS (March 23)
* 1982: THE CHURCH (April 4)
* 1982: DIVINYLS (April 15)
* 1982: THE DUGITES (April 18)
* 1982: UNCANNY X-MEN (April 19)
* 1982: GOANNA (March 20)
* 1982: EUROGLIDERS (March 20)
* 1982: NO FIXED ADDRESS (March 22)
* 1982: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (April 23)
* 1982: PETER CUPPLES BAND (April 25)
* 1982: UNCANNY X-MEN (April 26)
* 1982: THE CHURCH (April 27)
* 1982: WENDY AND THE ROCKETS (April 25)
* 1982: GOANA (May 1)
* 1982: MATTHEW 'DUTCH' TILERS (May 1)
* 1982: PHIL MANNING BAND (May 14)
* 1982: GOANNA (May 15)
* 1982: MI-SEX (May 16)
* 1982: THE NUMBERS (May 18)
* 1982: REDGUM (May 19)
* 1982: THE DUGITES (May 20)
* 1982: GOANNA (May 22)
* 1982: MODELS (May 23)
* 1982: THE RUNNERS (May 23)
* 1982: UNCANNY X-MEN (May 24)
* 1982: THE CHURCH (May 25)
* 1982: GOANNA (June 11)
* 1982: MOTHER GOOSE (Jun 13)
* 1982: THE RUNNERS (Jun 14)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (Jun 14)
* 1982: HEAVEN (Jun 15)
* 1982: MACHINATIONS (Jun 16)
* 1982: GOANA (Jun 19)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (Jun 21)
* 1982: THE RUNNERS (Jun 21)
* 1982: DYNAMIC HEPNOTICS (Jun 23)
* 1982: MATT TAYLOR BAND (Jun 24)
* 1982: PHIL MANNING BAND (Jun 25)
* 1982: GOANNA (Jun 26)
* 1982: THE RADIATORS (Jun 27)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (Jun 28)
* 1982: WENDY AND THE ROCKETS (Jun 29)
* 1982: YOUNG HOME BUYERS (Jun 30)
* 1982: KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS (July 1)
* 1982: GOANNA (July 10)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (July 10, arvo)
* 1982: BRIAN CADD (July 11)
* 1982: WARD 13 (July 11)
* 1982: TOUR DE FORCE (July 11)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (July 12)
* 1982: UNCANNY X MEN (July 12)
* 1982: SERIOUS YOUNG INSECTS (July 13)
* 1982: YOUNG HOME BUYERS (July 14)
* 1982: DOUG PARKINSON (July 14)
* 1982: NO FIXED ADDRESS (July 15)
* 1982: JENNIFER LEE BAND (July 16)
* 1982: GOANNA (July 17)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (July 17 - free afternoon show)
* 1982: THE RADIATORS (July 18)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (July 19)
* 1982: WILBUR WILDE'S BIG KOMBI (July 19)
* 1982: THE REELS (July 20)
* 1982: GOANNA BAND (July 17)
* 1982: HOT CLUB and SWEET JAYNE (July 19)
* 1982: THE KEVINS (July 21)
* 1982: GOANNA (July 24)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (July 24 , arvo)
* 1982: THE LITTLE HEROES (July 25)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (July 26)
* 1982: MATT TAYLOR (July 27)
* 1982: SHERBET (July 28)
* 1982: MOTHER GOOSE (July 29)
* 1982: THE DUGITES (July 31)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (July 31)
* 1982: THE HITMEN (Aug 1)
* 1982: THE NAME (Aug 1)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (Aug 2)
* 1982: WILBUR WILDE'S BIG KOMBI (Aug 2)
* 1982: REAL LIFE (Aug 4)
* 1982: DIVINYLS (Aug 4)
* 1982: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (Aug 7)
* 1982: MOTHER GOOSE (Aug 8)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (Aug 9)
* 1982: WILBUR WILDE'S BIG KOMBI (Aug 9)
* 1982: RUSSELL MORRIS AND THE RUBES (Aug 10)
* 1982: NO FIXED ADDRESS (Aug 11)
* 1982: LITTLE RIVER BAND (Aug 18)
* 1982: INXS (Aug 22)
* 1982: RICHARD CLAPTON (October 5)
* 1982: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (October 16)
* 1982: THE LITTLE HEROES (Oct 31)
* 1982: UNCANNY XMEN (Nov 12)
* 1982: RUSSELL MORRIS AND THE RUBES (Nov 14)
* 1982: GOANNA (Nov 16)
* 1982: EUROGLIDERS (Nov 17)
* 1982: UNCANNY X MEN (Nov 19)
* 1982: JO JO ZEP AND THE FALCON (Nov 20)
* 1982: THE MODELS (Nov 21)
* 1982: DEAR ENEMY (Nov 22)
* 1982: LIQUID ENGINEERS (Nov 22)
* 1982: MARK GILLESPIE BAND (Nov 23)
* 1983: ZARSOFF BROTHERS (Apr 24)
* 1983: SHORT STORY (May 14)
Short Story eventually evolved into Separate Tables then Girl Overboard. A bootleg survives from a soundboard tape.
* 1983: GOLDRUSH (July 22)
* 1983: THE RUNNERS (July 23)
* 1983: UNCANNNY X MEN (July 24)
* 1983: ZARSOFF BROTHERS (July24)
* 1983: PSEUDO ECHO (July 26)
* 1983: SPANIARDS (July 27)
* 1983: STRANGE TENANTS (July 28)
* 1983: SHARON O'NEILL (July 29)
* 1983: DYNAMIC HEPNOTICS (July 31)
* 1983: THE ALLNITERS (July 21)
* 1983: NO FIXED ADDRESS (Aug 12)
* 1983: SPANIARDS (Aug 13)
* 1983: CHOIRBOYS (Aug 14)
* 1983: THE RADIATORS (Aug 14)
* 1983: JENNIFER LEE BAND (Aug 15)
* 1983: AUSSIE NEIGHBOURS (Aug 15)
* 1983: BRODERICK SMITH BAND (Aug 16)
* 1983: NO NONSENSE (Aug 18)
* 1983: WENDY AND THE ROCKETTS (Aug 27)
* 1983: THE LITTLE HEROES (Aug 28)
* 1983: RUSSELL MORRIS (Aug 30)
* 1983: PHIL MANNING'S ROCKNROLL TRIO (Sept 1)
* 1983: THE GUN CLUB (Sept 28)
A memorable gig by the punk blues band from Los Angeles. Due to internal band issues, frontman Jeffrey Lee Pierce ended up performing largely a solo, acoustic set, supported by Australian musicians Spencer P. Jones and Billy Pommer Jr.
* 1983: DYNAMIC HEPNTOICS (Oct 2)
* 1983: THE LITTLE HEROES (Oct 9)
* 1983: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (October 13)
* 1983: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (October 15)
* 1983: DYNAMIC HEPNTOICS (Oct 19)
* 1983: SPANIADS (Dec 17)
* 1983: EXPLODING CATS (Dec 16, arvo)
* 1983: ROSE TATTOO (Dec 18)
* 1983: LIQUID ENGINEERS (Dec 19)
* 1983: STEPHEN CUMMINGS (Dec 20)
* 1983: JO JO ZEP AND THE FALCONS (Dec 21)
* 1983: DEAR ENEMY (Dec 22)
* 1984: KIDS IN THE KITCHEN (Jan 6)
* 1984: THE LITTLE HEROES (Jan 6)
* 1984: SPANIARDS (Jan 7)
* 1984: UNCANNY X MEN (Jan 8)
* 1984: LIQUID ENGINEERS (Jan 9)
* 1984: MODELS (Jan 10)
* 1984: PARTY GIRLS (Jan 11)
* 1984: LITTLE RIVER BAND (Jan 15)
* 1984: I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVY (Apr 26)
* 1984: SPANIARDS (Apr 27)
* 1984: THE DYNAMIC HEPNOTICS (March 20)
* 1984: THE ZARSOFF BROTHERS (April 24)
* 1984: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (July 21)
* 1985: THE CHURCH (March 2)
* 1985: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (April 12)
* 1985: LIQUID ENGINEERS (Apr 28)
* 1985: THE CHURCH (November 2)
* 1985: THE CHURCH (November 3)
* 1986: HUNTERS & COLLECTORS (Jan 3)
* 1986: CARMEN SUITE (Jan 9)
* 1986: STREET CRY (Jan 9)
* 1986: NO NONSENSE (Jan 10)
* 1986: PSYCHOTIC STAIRS (Jan 10)
* 1986: THE SPANIARDS (Jan 11)
* 1986: MATRIX CLUB (Jan 11)
* 1986: KIDS IN THE KITCHEN (Jan 12)
* 1986: GEISHA (Jan 12)
* 1986: SCHIZO SCHERZO (Jan 12)
* 1986: BOYS KEEP SWINGING (Jan 12)
* 1986: FAIR WARNING plus SOS (Jan 16)
* 1986: PAINTERS & DOCKERS (Jan 17)
* 1986: THE BLUES FESTIVAL (Feb 2)
* 1986: THE CHURCH (March 2)
* 1993/94:
Renovated into a popular family restaurant.
* 1998-2000:
Re-opened as the Prospect Hill Hotel but soon became a discount liquor store.
* 2000 ONWARD:
160 years later, the hotel building and site still exists (!) - as Dan Murphy's, Kew. The building, however, seems to lack any heritage listing and off hand, it would seem that the number of alterations over the years has effected its considered value. A 2013 report, the "Kew Junction Commercial Heritage Study" acknowledged that it was first built in 1857 but then added that it "includes extensive later works", that the "level of intactness" was 'poor' and that the "building has been extensively altered and extended".
