Are You Old Enough: Dragon’s 1978 No. 1 Triumph
In 1978, Dragon dropped Are You Old Enough, a rock ballad that soared to No. 1 on the ARIA Charts. Released on Portrait (PR 45016), it charted for 23 weeks, held No. 1 for two weeks, and went gold. Written by Paul Hewson and produced by Peter Dawkins, it was the lead single from O Zambezi. Displacing You’re the One That I Want by Travolta and Newton-John, it was Dragon’s only chart-topper. Let’s dive into its Kiwi-to-Sydney roots, chart success, and why it’s still a singalong classic.
From Auckland to Sydney Pubs
Dragon, formed in Auckland in 1972, hit Sydney in ’75 to join the pub rock scene. Led by Marc Hunter (vocals), with Todd Hunter (bass), Paul Hewson (keys), Kerry Jacobson (drums), and Robert Taylor (guitar), they mixed rock with glam. Are You Old Enough, a Hewson-penned ballad about forbidden love, was softer than hits like April Sun in Cuba. Recorded for O Zambezi with Peter Dawkins, Marc’s smoky vocals and Hewson’s piano gave it radio magic. I remember it blaring at my girlfriend’s Year 10 formal in ’78—us teens belted it out, feeling every word, and maybe a bit more!
Chart Success
Charting on August 14th, ’78, as catalogue number PR 45016, Are You Old Enough hit No. 1 on October 9th, ousting You’re the One That I Want. It held for two weeks until La Belle Epoque’s Black Is Black took over, running 23 weeks. Dragon’s sole No. 1, it went gold and hit New Zealand’s top 40. The B-side, Company, kept the mellow vibe. Countdown gave it heaps, 2SM had it on repeat, and Portrait’s backing made it a radio must.
The ’78 Scene
In 1978, Australia’s airwaves buzzed with Bee Gees’ disco, Cold Chisel’s pub rock, and Grease pop fever. Dragon’s heartfelt ballad stood out, like a mate’s quiet yarn. Countdown played it non-stop, and Marc Hunter’s rockstar-larrikin charm won fans. Unlike Sherbet’s pop or AC/DC’s grit, Are You Old Enough clicked with pub crowds, radio listeners, and even high school formal kids.
Why It Endures
Are You Old Enough made Dragon Aussie rock legends. O Zambezi hit the ARIA top 10, and they toured with Steely Dan and Santana. A radio staple on classic stations, it’s covered by John Farnham and lives in pub band sets. Marc Hunter’s 1998 passing hit hard, but Todd Hunter, with Mark Williams on vocals, keeps Dragon rocking in 2025. A ’78 time capsule of heartache and pub rock soul, it takes you back to a mate’s barbecue, radio humming. Got a Dragon memory? I’ve got my formal story—share yours below!