First time band members Mick Bower & Brian Vaughton have shared the same stage in Melbourne in 50 years
Melburnians are about to experience a very special piece of music history this September as the reconstituted expanded nine-piece 1965 Masters Apprentices return to the music city to perform, with founding members Mick Bower and Brian Vaughton sharing the same stage for the first time in Melbourne in 50 years. This is special, one night only show, is a retrospective look at what good music is all about – a then and now account of 1965 Masters Apprentices.
It is hard to believe it was 52 years ago when Mick Bower and Brian Vaughton formed an instrumental band in Adelaide called The Mustangs. Their advertising for a new lead-singer in the height of 1965 changed music history – enter Jim Keays and an Australian music institution was borne – Masters Apprentices. In the 1960s the Masters, as they were fondly known, were rock n roll royalty, with hit after hit, they made an indelible mark on the music scene.
Now, five decades after they started, the original members have reunited to remember their late bandmate Jim Keays in the best way they know how – playing great music. The nine-piece 1965 Masters Apprentices not only features founder and principal composer Mick (guitars) and Brian (drums), but also Rick Harrison (guitars) who joined in 1967. They are joined in this new band by former SA Jim Keays Band guitarist Rob Pippan, along with Craig Holden (brother of Idol’s Mark Holden), Ian ‘Polly’ Politis, Nanette Van Ruiten and Matt MacNamee. Special band guest is legendary Twilights bassist John Bywaters.
1965 Masters Apprentices sold-out two Adelaide Fringe performances in 2016 and it was a natural progression that Melbourne was next on the map for a show. They’ll traverse the early hits penned by Mick, including Living In A Child’s Dream, Wars Or Hands Of Time and Undecided to name a few, as well as the evergreen hits from the later years such as Turn Up Your Radio, Because I Love You and many more.
“We are thrilled to be back playing together again in a new chapter in the band’s history,” says Mick. “We hope to see early Masters fans come out and see us at The Corner. The new line-up is now a tight well-oiled machine after the SA gigs and we’re busting to keep playing and having a great time together.”
1965 Masters Apprentices musical director Rob Pippan – who was a friend and long-time colleague of Jim Keays – says the Melbourne show pays homage to Jim’s influence in the band. “In 2014 Jim called and asked me to perform with him as a duo for his induction into the SA Hall Of Fame,” he says. “As Jim passed away not long after, it was not to be. At that point, it was decided a reformation of the 1965 version of the Masters would perform in Jim’s honour at his posthumous induction. We added the original 1965 Masters members to the SA Jim Keays Band members on stage, joining Jim’s first and last South Australian bands together into a nine-piece. This has become what is now 1965 Masters Apprentices.”
Don’t miss this special part of music history as Mick Bower and Brian Vaughton perform in Melbourne for the first time in 50 years as the 1965 Masters Apprentices. Special guests Mike Rudd’s Spectrum will open this incredible night of rock n roll – tickets are on sale now.
Friday 1st September 2017
Corner Hotel, RICHMOND VIC
www.cornerhotel.com | 1300 724 867
For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/RobPippanProductions/
