The Masters Apprentices, Sir Donald Bradman and The Case of the Missing Jacket

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021 - The Grape Organisation Pty Ltd

It was 1966, the Masters Apprentices were trying to find their own unique look. To stand out from other acts, the band would create their own fashion.

Jim Keays: “Menswear stores were the only places you could normally buy from, and in those days there was virtually no variety at all. - a few different coloured shirts, the same old style slacks and your typical brogue shoes. This was hardly acceptable for a young, new rock group out to be noticed, so something had to be invented. I wore army pants, a striped cricket blazer Brian Vaughton’s father had worn in the 40’s, and a girl’s blouse.”

Drummer Brian Vaughton’s parents owned the King’s Head Hotel in Adelaide, where the band would often practice and hang out in John Street. Brian’s father was Rolly Vaughton a widely known figure in Adelaide sporting and hotel circles. Rolly was a top grade baseball catcher and eventually coached South Australia to three successive wins in three interstate series. Adelaide Oval was like a second home to Rolly Vaughton, who also played first grade football and cricket. It would be the time he was South Australia’s Sheffield Shield wicket keeper playing with Captain Sir Donald Bradman, which he was most proud of.

When the Masters Apprentices were searching for unique stage clothing, unbeknownst to Rolly Vaughton, Brian kindly offered Rolly's prized cricket jacket to Jim. Jim would go on to wear the jacket on stage with Masters Apprentices for several years. When the jacket was no longer worn by Jim on stage, Brian asked Jim for its return. Unfortunately, Jim had in the meantime lost the jacket. After years of searching, Brian had given up hope on ever finding his father’s prized jacket. It was lost.

Recently, Brian was visiting a recording session when a fan named Alex Mericka arrived enquiring about Brian’s father Rolly. Alex revealed that he had just purchased Rolly’s cricket jacket at a Melbourne memorabilia auction. Realising how much the jacket meant to Brian, Alex decided to gift the lost Donald Bradman/Masters Apprentices relic back to Brian and his family.

On Saturday February 20^th 2021, Brian will follow in his father’s footsteps. Although he won’t be playing sport, the Masters Apprentices will perform at Adelaide Oval for the first time in their over 50 year career. Zep Boys will also be performing on the night.

Masters Apprentices will also be performing at
The Bridgeway Hotel on Saturday 6^th of February.

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The Grape Organisation Pty Ltd

Established In 1969 by Hamish Henry, the Grape Organisation managed many of Australia's greatest bands and venues. Based in Le Fevre Terrace, Adelaide the offices of Grape were a hub for Adelaide's musos, writers and artists. Grape and Caine promotions were a thriving and dynamic group of talented people who went onto to become great contributors to the Australian music scene and help cement Adelaide as the centre of creative music in the late 60s and early 70s.

Amongst Grape's many artists, Headband, Lotus, Nostra Damus and Fraternity were the main attraction. Fraternity gained the title of Australia's greatest band in 1971 after winning the Hoadley's Battle Of The Sounds.

In 1971 Hamish Henry and his music companies including Music Power went on to organise and promote the Myponga Music Festival, which saw Black Sabbath headline and Daddy Cool steal the show. Grape also ran the popular 'Headquarters' in Adelaide plus a number other iconic musical venues along with organising and running multiple promotions and concerts featuring amongst others Deep Purple, Free and Manfred Mann at Apollo Stadium and nearly all of Australia's top acts of the time.

Today The Grape Organisation with its new General Manager Victor Marshall continues to promote the interests of Australian bands and its own label. Grape will continue with its tradition of releasing great Australian music and continuing to promote high quality concerts and special events.

Victor Marshall
M: 0432862012
W: grapeorganisation.com