History of The Masters Apprentices in Timeline
The Masters Apprentices were an Australian rock band formed in Adelaide in 1964 as The Mustangs. Led by vocalist Jim Keays, they relocated to Melbourne in 1967 and later attempted to enter the UK market before disbanding in 1972. They are known for their popular Australian singles like "Undecided", "Living in a Child's Dream", and "Turn Up Your Radio". The band is also notable for launching the career of Glenn Wheatley, their bass guitarist, who went on to become a successful music industry entrepreneur and manager for artists like Little River Band and John Farnham.
June 1964: The Beatles tour influences The Mustangs
In June 1964, The Mustangs were profoundly influenced by the Australian tour of the Beatles. The Beatles' arrival in Adelaide was met with a crowd of approximately 300,000 people. Following the Beatles' chart success and tour, the Mustangs shifted their style and recruited Jim Keays as their lead singer.
1964: The Beatles attendance record
In 1964, The Beatles set an attendance record that was broken in 1969.
1964: Formation as The Mustangs
In 1964, The Masters Apprentices originally formed as The Mustangs in Adelaide, South Australia.
1965: The Mustangs renamed to The Masters Apprentices
In late 1965, The Mustangs changed their name to "The Masters Apprentices". Mick Bower chose the name as a tribute to blues masters like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, and Robert Johnson.
August 1966: First Visit to Melbourne
In August 1966, The Masters Apprentices made their first visit to Melbourne, where they made a strong impression. They would return later in the year. Their debut single, "Undecided" / "Wars or Hands of Time", was released in October.
October 1966: Go-Set publishes national singles charts
In October 1966, Go-Set began publishing national singles charts, and "Undecided" eventually peaked at No. 13 in April.
1966: Popularity and TV Appearance
By early 1966, The Masters Apprentices had become one of the most popular beat bands in Adelaide, regularly selling out concerts. They made their first TV appearance on a Channel 7 telethon, hosted by Ernie Sigley, on Good Friday. They also participated in the South Australian heat of Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds, finishing third.
1966: Rofe Picks Up Undecided
During their second trip to Melbourne in late 1966, local radio DJ Stan Rofe began playing "Undecided" regularly due to the band's raw sound and wild stage act.
1966: Recording of "Undecided" Demo
Later in 1966, after sharing a gig with Bobby Bright, The Masters Apprentices were recommended to Astor Records. They recorded a four-track demo, including the song "Undecided", which was hastily written due to needing a fourth track. The song's distinctive fuzz-tone was a result of a malfunctioning valve in Bower's amplifier.
February 1967: Relocation to Melbourne
In February 1967, The Masters Apprentices relocated to Melbourne, Victoria, from Adelaide, South Australia.
May 1967: Release of "Buried and Dead" and Sydney Appearance
In May 1967, The Masters Apprentices released their second single, "Buried and Dead", and created a promotional film clip for TV. They also made a live appearance on the TCN-9 pop show Saturday Date in Sydney, where they were mobbed by fans.
June 1967: Release of Debut LP
In June 1967, Astor released the group's self-titled debut LP, The Masters Apprentices, which featured earlier singles, original songs by Bower, a cover of Bo Diddley's "Dancing Girl", and the Beatles' "I Feel Fine".
June 1967: Morrison Quits Due to Collapsed Lung
In June 1967, lead guitarist Rick Morrison was forced to quit The Masters Apprentices after collapsing on stage with a collapsed lung. He was replaced by Tony Summers. The band continued to tour, playing up to fifteen shows per week.
August 1967: Release of "Living in a Child's Dream"
In August 1967, at the peak of the Summer of Love, The Masters Apprentices released "Living in a Child's Dream". It was recorded at Armstrong's Studios and reached the Top Ten in most Australian capitals, peaking at No. 9 on Go-Set's Top 40. The song was voted Australian Song of the Year by Go-Set readers.
September 1967: Bower's Nervous Breakdown
In September 1967, during a tour of Tasmania, Mick Bower suffered a severe nervous breakdown and was hospitalized after being forced to perform while in extreme distress. He was ordered to give up performing and returned to Adelaide to recuperate.
October 1967: Hyde Park Concert Riot
On 14 October 1967, The Masters Apprentices played a free concert in Sydney's Hyde Park as part of the Waratah Spring Festival. Due to a massive crowd estimated at 50,000, the concert degenerated into a riot, and police were forced to shut it down. Later that evening, they headlined the Living in a Child's Dream Ball.
1967: Career at a Critical Juncture
As 1967 ended, The Masters Apprentices' career reached a critical point. They lacked a songwriter, and Steve Hopgood and Tony Sommers were becoming disillusioned. Jim Keays decided to replace them and their manager, Tony Dickstein. Keays met Denny and Colin Burgess.
1967: Release of "Undecided"
In 1967, The Masters Apprentices released the song "Undecided", which was later revived by Silverchair in 1997.
January 1968: Band Reorganization
In January 1968, Jim Keays reorganized The Masters Apprentices, with Tony Summers and Steve Hopgood departing. Colin Burgess joined as the new drummer, and Doug Ford joined soon after. Ford's arrival revitalized the band and enabled them to transition from a pop band to a rock group.
February 1968: Release of Elevator Driver
In February 1968, The Masters Apprentices released "Elevator Driver", co-written by Brian Cadd and Max Ross, as their fourth single. This came after Harrison quit and Peter Tilbrook joined the band.
March 1968: Webb's Marriage
In March 1968, Gavin Webb married Suzette Belle, the President of the Beatles Australian Fan Club.
April 1968: Gavin Webb Quits, Darryl Sambell Becomes Manager
In April 1968, bassist Gavin Webb had to quit The Masters Apprentices due to stomach ulcers. Beeb Birtles declined the role, and Darryl Sambell, Johnny Farnham's manager, took over the band's management.
June 1968: Glenn Wheatley joins, "Brigette" released
In June 1968, Glenn Wheatley joined The Masters Apprentices on guitar, and Tilbrook switched to bass. The band released "Brigette", their last recording for Astor and the debut of the Ford/Keays writing partnership.
July 1968: Lily Brett's 'Expose' Interview
In July 1968, Jim Keays was interviewed by Go-Set reporter Lily Brett, resulting in an article titled 'Sex is thrust upon us', which revealed aspects of the groupie scene.
July 1968: Jim Keays Quote in Go-Set Interview
In July 1968, Jim Keays was interviewed by Lily Brett for Go-Set, as quoted in Molly Meldrum presents 50 years of rock in Australia.
August 1968: "But One Day" single released
In August 1968, Astor released "But One Day" as a single from The Masters Apprentices' debut LP. The band discouraged fans from buying it, and it failed to chart.
December 1968: Tilbrook Leaves, Cruise Liner Incident
In December 1968, Tilbrook left The Masters Apprentices, and Wheatley switched to bass. The band discovered that manager Sambell had forgotten to inform them of a cruise liner gig, causing a delay for the cruise line.
1968: Go-Set Pop Poll and Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds
In 1968, The Masters Apprentices topped the Go-Set Pop Poll as 'Most Original Group' and placed second in 'Most Popular Australian Group'. They were runners-up in the national final of the 1968 Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds in July.
1968: Masterpiece LP Tracks Recorded
The Masters Apprentices stockpiled tracks that were later released on their second LP Masterpiece in February 1970. The tracks included "Linda Linda" and "5:10 Man". The title track was a live recording capturing their live show during 1968.
March 1969: "Linda Linda" / "Merry-Go-Round" Release
In March 1969, The Masters Apprentices released "Linda Linda" / "Merry-Go-Round", their first EMI single and a collaboration with producer Howard Gable. "Linda Linda" was a bubblegum pop song, while the B-side showed the band's rock development.
July 1969: "5:10 Man" Released
In July 1969, The Masters Apprentices released "5:10 Man", which peaked at No. 16 on the Go-Set Singles Chart. This release marked a shift towards a heavier sound.
August 1969: Operation Starlift Tour
In August 1969, The Masters Apprentices participated in the Operation Starlift Tour with other Australian artists. The Brisbane Festival Hall concert broke The Beatles' attendance record, resulting in Wheatley's clothes being torn by the audience.
1969: Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds prize
In mid-1969, The Masters Apprentices won a prize in the Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds, that helped them break into the UK market.
1969: EMI single not released until early 1969
The Masters Apprentices recorded their first single for EMI in the second half of 1968, but it wasn't released until early 1969.
1969: Wheatley Manages Band, "Think About Tomorrow Today" Released
Throughout 1969, Wheatley managed and booked the band, increasing their fees and reducing appearances. They released "Think About Tomorrow Today", which became a Top 20 hit and was used in TV ads for the Bank of New South Wales.
April 1970: "Turn Up Your Radio" Released
In April 1970, EMI released "Turn Up Your Radio", produced by Gable, and engineered by John Sayers. Despite limited airplay due to a radio ban, the song peaked at No. 7 nationally.
May 1970: Departure for UK
On 25 May 1970, The Masters Apprentices boarded the Fairsky for UK. They were given a send-off by fans and friends, and used the six-week voyage to write and rehearse new material.
1970: Attempt to Break into UK Market
In 1970, The Masters Apprentices attempted to break into the United Kingdom market.
1970: Drum Booking Agency Established
In early 1970, The Masters Apprentices parted with Sambell and established their own booking agency called Drum. Drum managed and promoted gigs for various acts, including tours by The Four Tops and Paul Jones.
1970: Go-Set Pop Poll Win
The Masters Apprentices were voted top group in the 1970 Go-Set Pop Poll.
January 1971: National Tour Begins, Nickelodeon Theatre Recording
In January 1971, The Masters Apprentices began their national tour in Perth. Howard Gable recorded their show at the Nickelodeon Theatre, which later became the live LP Nickelodeon.
February 1971: Release of "I'm Your Satisfier"
In February 1971, while touring Australia, The Masters Apprentices released the song "I'm Your Satisfier".
April 1971: Release of Choice Cuts
In April 1971, The Masters Apprentices released the album Choice Cuts in Australia, which reached #11 on the Go-Set Top 20 Album Charts and received widespread acclaim.
May 1971: "I'm Your Satisfier" Enters French Top 10
In May 1971, The Masters Apprentices were informed by John Halsall that their album Choice Cuts was receiving positive reviews in the UK. The track "I'm Your Satisfier" had also entered the Top 10 in France.
June 1971: Nickelodeon Singles Release
In June 1971, two tracks from the live LP Nickelodeon were released as singles.
September 1971: Recording at Abbey Road Studios
In September 1971, The Masters Apprentices reunited with Jarratt, Brown, and Richard Lush at Abbey Road Studios to record a new album. They recorded in Studio Two while John Lennon worked on his John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album in Studio One.
1971: Struggle to Regain Popularity, Howard Lindley Film Project
By 1971, The Masters Apprentices initially struggled to regain their previous popularity. Howard Lindley began filming the band, but the project was abandoned due to his suicide.
January 1972: Release of A Toast to Panama Red
In January 1972, EMI released The Masters Apprentices' album A Toast to Panama Red.
1972: Band Line-up Changes and Breakup
In 1972, Glenn Wheatley left The Masters Apprentices after a disagreement about breaking up. Jim Keays then departed, and Ford and Burgess continued with Denny Burgess on bass, recording "Freedom Seekers" before splitting up later that year.
1972: End of Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds
In 1972, Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds, an annual national rock/pop band competition in Australia from 1966 to 1972, ended.
1972: Band Disbanded
In 1972, The Masters Apprentices disbanded after attempting to break into the UK market.
1972: End of Go-Set Pop Poll
In 1972, the Go-Set Pop Poll, coordinated by teen-oriented pop music newspaper Go-Set, which was established in February 1966, conducted an annual poll during 1966 to 1972 of its readers to determine the most popular personalities, ended.
1972: Various Line-ups Until 1972
The Masters Apprentices had continued under various line-ups from 1965 until 1972, reforming briefly in 1987 and on several subsequent occasions.
March 1973: Keays in Tommy
In March 1973, Jim Keays played 'The Lover' in the Australian production of The Who's rock opera, Tommy.
August 1974: Release of "Rio de Camero" / "Thyme to Rhyme" single
In August 1974, EMI released the single "Rio de Camero" / "Thyme to Rhyme" by The Masters Apprentices. The A-side received radio airplay but did not chart.
1974: Wheatley's Management Career Begins
In 1974, Glenn Wheatley transitioned to a management career, utilizing the knowledge and contacts he gained from his time with The Masters Apprentices.
January 1975: Premiere of Boy from the Stars at Sunbury Pop Festival
In January 1975, Jim Keays premiered his concept LP, Boy from the Stars, at the Sunbury Pop Festival. Glenn Wheatley joined the performance, marking their last time together for over ten years.
1975: Colour TV Introduced in Australia
Colour TV was introduced to Australia in 1975.
1976: Wheatley Guides Little River Band's Breakthrough
In 1976, Glenn Wheatley guided the reformed Mississippi (later Little River Band) to achieve a commercial breakthrough in the American market.
1977: Little River Band's US Success
In 1977, Glenn Wheatley was instrumental in guiding Little River Band to their historic American commercial breakthrough.
1980: Wheatley Manages John Farnham
From 1980, Glenn Wheatley managed John Farnham and oversaw his career revival, both as a solo artist and as a member of Little River Band.
1981: Revival of Interest and Compilation LP Release
In 1981, there was a revival of interest in The Masters Apprentices, partly due to Glenn A. Baker's Rock & Roll Trivia Show on Triple J radio. This led to the release of the compilation LP Hands of Time by Raven Records.
1986: Wheatley Finances Farnham's Whispering Jack
In 1986, Glenn Wheatley mortgaged his house to finance John Farnham's album Whispering Jack, which became the biggest-selling Australian album.
August 1987: Reunion on Hey Hey It's Saturday
In August 1987, the classic Burgess, Ford, Keays and Wheatley line-up reunited for a "Back to the 1960s" special on the TV show Hey Hey It's Saturday, marking their first performance together since 1971.
1987: Brief Reformation
The Masters Apprentices reformed briefly in 1987.
1988: Reunion Tour and Album Release
In 1988, The Masters Apprentices undertook a reunion tour and released the album Do What You Wanna Do, featuring new material and versions of earlier songs. "Because I Love You" was also used in a jeans commercial, reaching No. 30 on the ARIA Charts.
1988: Band Reformed
The Masters Apprentices reformed periodically in 1987–1988.
September 1995: Release of New Version of "Turn Up Your Radio"
In September 1995, The Masters Apprentices, without Glenn Wheatley, released a new version of "Turn Up Your Radio" recorded with Hoodoo Gurus.
1997: "Undecided" Revived by Silverchair
In 1997, The Masters Apprentices' song "Undecided" (originally released in 1967) was revived by Silverchair.
November 1998: Colin and Denny Burgess Car Accident
In November 1998, Colin and Denny Burgess were severely injured when their car was hit by a semi-trailer. They both recovered and were featured in a documentary.
1998: Induction into ARIA Hall of Fame
In 1998, The Masters Apprentices were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at the ARIA Music Awards of 1998.
1999: Keays' Memoirs Launch and Album Re-releases
In 1999, Ford, Keays, and Wheatley reunited in Melbourne for the launch of Jim Keays' memoirs, His Master's Voice: The Masters Apprentices: The bad boys of sixties rock 'n' roll. Wheatley's memoirs, Paper paradise: confessions of a rock 'n' roll survivor, were also released, and The Masters Apprentices' original albums were remastered and re-released on CD.
1999: Publication of Jim Keays' Memoir
In 1999, Jim Keays released his memoir, His Master's Voice, which included his experiences with The Masters Apprentices.
1999: Memoirs by Keays and Wheatley
In 1999, both Jim Keays and Glenn Wheatley wrote memoirs, His Master's Voice and Paper Paradise respectively, which included their experiences with The Masters Apprentices.
June 2000: Screening of Turn Up Your Video Documentary
In June 2000, ABC-TV aired an edited version of the documentary Turn Up Your Video, and the full-length home video was released.
2000: Keays Tours with Cotton Keays & Morris
From 2000, Jim Keays toured as a member of Cotton Keays & Morris with Darryl Cotton from Zoot and Russell Morris from Somebody's Image.
March 2001: Gimme Ted Benefit Concert
In March 2001, The Masters Apprentices reunited for the Gimme Ted benefit concert.
August 2001: Long Way to the Top Broadcast
In August 2001, the ABC-TV series Long Way to the Top was broadcast, featuring Jim Keays discussing the UK migrant influence on their early work and "Undecided", and pioneering pub rock and the band's groupies.
September 2002: Long Way to the Top National Concert Tour
In September 2002, The Masters Apprentices participated in the Long Way to the Top national concert tour, featuring many Australian acts from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. A DVD of the final Sydney concert was released.
2002: Opeth Track "Master's Apprentices"
In 2002, Swedish progressive metal band Opeth named the track "Master's Apprentices" from their album Deliverance in honor of The Masters Apprentices.
2004: Release of Mustangs to Masters ... First Year Apprentices
In 2004, a tape recording of a Mustangs rehearsal, made by their original manager Graham Longley, was rediscovered and released on CD as Mustangs to Masters ... First Year Apprentices.
October 2005: Benefit Concert for Lobby Loyde
In October 2005, The Masters Apprentices performed at a benefit concert in Melbourne for former Rose Tattoo guitarist Lobby Loyde.
October 2010: Master's Apprentices Listed in 100 Best Australian Albums
In October 2010, The Masters Apprentices' 1967 debut album, Master's Apprentices, was listed in the top 40 in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums.
June 2014: Death of Jim Keays
In June 2014, Jim Keays passed away from pneumonia related to multiple myeloma.
2014: Induction into South Australian Music Hall of Fame
In 2014, The Masters Apprentices were inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame, and the original Mustangs members reformed as The 1965 Masters Apprentices for the event.
2015: Publication of Peter Tilbrook's Biography
In 2015, Peter Tilbrook released his biography, A Masters Apprentice, Living In The Sixties.
2020: Band Continues with Original Members
As of 2020, The Masters Apprentices continue in their original five-piece format with Mick Bower, Brian Vaughton, Gavin Webb, Rick Harrison, Bill Harrod, and Craig Holden.
2020: Original Members Perform as The Masters Apprentices
As of 2020, original members Mick Bower, Brian Vaughton, Gavin Webb and Rick Harrison performed as The Masters Apprentices with Bill Harrod on bass guitar and Craig Holden on lead vocals.
February 2022: Death of Glenn Wheatley
On 1 February 2022, Glenn Wheatley, former bass guitarist for The Masters Apprentices, died from complications of COVID-19.
December 2023: Dan Matejcic replaces Rick Harrison
In December 2023, Dan Matejcic replaced Rick Harrison on guitar for The Masters Apprentices.
April 2024: Death of Gavin Webb
In April 2024, Gavin Webb, The Masters Apprentices' bassist and founding member, died after battling cancer.
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