About

Masters Apprentices Pty. Ltd. is a family run Music and Arts management business, founded over 35 years ago by Australian music industry titan, Jim Keays of Masters Apprentices fame. 

History

Jim Keays was the only member of the original band named Masters Apprentices to have remained throughout its lifespan from 1965–2014. As lead singer and co-writer of the band’s biggest-selling and most recognisable hit songs, it was Jim’s creative vision that served as the steadying rudder throughout. After changes to the original 1965 lineup early on, Jim’s relentless drive and work ethic over the ensuing years was the major force in keeping the name of Masters Apprentices alive.

By 1968, Jim had recruited the dream team, the famous four, the most enduring and celebrated line-up of Jim Keays, Glenn Wheatley, Colin Burgess and Doug Ford. They were the band named Masters Apprentices who recorded for EMI, in London’s Abbey Road Studios, two critically acclaimed albums CHOICE CUTS and A TOAST TO PANAMA RED.

When Masters Apprentices disbanded in London in 1972, Jim returned to Australia and launched his highly successful solo career as a recording artist and live performer, rock journalist, radio and live DJ, video production, television production, author and a talented watercolourist.

Over the next 42 years of his life, Jim Keays ensured that the music and legend of Masters Apprentices continued to live on. With his own public profile, professionalism and tireless work, Jim refused to allow the relatively short-lived band to fade into history as so many of its contemporaries did. It was Jim who was responsible for the concept and development of the band’s various Best Of and Greatest Hits albums over the years. 

After the famous Masters Apprentices lineup of Keays, Wheatley, Burgess and Ford reunited in 1987 to perform TURN UP YOUR RADIO on national television for Hey Hey It’s Saturday, it was Jim who masterminded and coordinated the overwhelmingly successful 1987-1988 national reunion tours. It was Jim who successfully pitched his concept of an album, VERY BEST OF MASTERS APPRENTICES, in 1988 to Virgin Records and subsequently negotiated for the recording and release of Masters Apprentices’ first new recordings since 1972, bringing to life the DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO album. With the 1988 re-recording of their 1972 song, BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, Masters Apprentices were once again in the music charts and enjoying national success.

In 1988, Jim met his future wife, Karin Keays. For 25 years, Karin and Jim Keays worked together, building and strengthening the family business.

With the approach of the band’s 30th Anniversary in 1995, Jim once again took his idea for a commemorative album release to EMI. Every detail of the resulting 30^TH ANNIVERSARY, GREATEST HITS CD package was conceived entirely from Jim’s vision, from the track list and personally written liner notes down to the cover image of a Masters Apprentices 1965 medal, adapted from a war service medal and ribbon that were Keays family heirlooms.

To further commemorate the 30th Anniversary, the Masters recorded a single with the Hoodoo Gurus. This version of TURN UP YOUR RADIO kept Masters Apprentices in touch with yet another generation, further revealing their influence on modern music.

In 1998, Masters Apprentices’ hit song TURN UP YOUR RADIO featured on a postage stamp honouring classic Australian rock songs, the first set of rock ’n’ roll stamps in the world. 

Also that year, the famous Masters Apprentices line up of Jim Keays, Glenn Wheatley, Colin Burgess and Doug Ford were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, officially confirming their richly-deserved legendary status.

Jim Keays’ biography, His Master’s Voice, was released in 1999. The book rates as one of the finest written by an Australian rock star.

In 2000, Masters Apprentices Pty. Ltd. produced TURN UP YOUR VIDEO, a documentary about the band that was televised on the ABC, Music Max and Channel V and marketed nationally through ABC shops.

In 2002 Masters Apprentices were in the lineup of stars on the Long Way To The Top concert tour through its capital city run and in the regional series of concerts in 2003. Jim reformed the most famous lineup of Keays, Wheatley, Burgess and Ford – although the Wheatley part was flexible. Depending on his availability due to managerial commitments, it was either Glenn or Tim Wheatley (a professional musician in his own right) on bass.

In 2006, Jim Keays was Executive Producer of FULLY QUALIFIED, a documentary charting the history of Masters Apprentices with rare footage and insightful interviews. 

While forging his solo career – a formidable body of work in its own right – Jim Keays simultaneously built the name of Masters Apprentices into a prestigious brand from 1965 onwards. 

Maintaining a lifelong professional career as an artist in the music industry is notoriously difficult, requiring sacrifice and dedication along with creative talent, to stay the course beyond the first heady flush of chart success. Jim Keays worked tirelessly to ensure that the music of Masters Apprentices was never forgotten. To this day, Jim’s legacy continues to endure, managed by Masters Apprentices Pty. Ltd., the family company established by Jim Keays nearly 40 years ago.