PRESS RELEASE: DOUG FORD RETURNS TO THE MASTERS APPRENTICES FOR SPECIAL BRISBANE PERFORMANCE
Legendary Masters Apprentices songwriter and guitarist Doug Ford will return to perform with The Masters Apprentices for the first time in more than 25 years, joining the group for a special Brisbane appearance at The Triffid on Sunday 16 August 2026.
Ford’s appearance brings together the principal songwriters from both eras of The Masters Apprentices, creating a rare opportunity for fans to experience the full musical legacy of one of Australia’s most important rock bands.
More than 60 years ago, Australian music history was made when guitarist Mick Bower founded a band in Adelaide with Brian Vaughton, Rick Morrison and Gavin Webb called The Mustangs. The group began rehearsing and developing their sound at Brian Vaughton’s family pub, The King’s Head Hotel in Adelaide, where the foundations of what would become one of Australia’s most influential rock bands were first laid. Bower later re-named the group The Masters Apprentices, inspired by the blues influences of the great artists who shaped early rock music. The band called for auditions for a lead singer, and Jim Keays joined as vocalist, completing the classic early line-up and marking the beginning of one of the most important bands of Australia’s late-1960s rock explosion.
As the band’s founder and principal songwriter, Mick Bower wrote many of the group’s defining early classics including Living In A Child’s Dream, Wars Or Hands Of Time and Undecided, helping establish The Masters Apprentices alongside legendary Australian groups including The Easybeats, The Twilights, The Loved Ones and Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs.
The Masters Apprentices went on to become one of the defining bands of the era, with Doug Ford later contributing some of the band’s most enduring hits including Think About Tomorrow Today, Turn Up Your Radio and Because I Love You, songs that remain cornerstones of Australian rock history.
More than six decades later, Bower and original drummer Brian Vaughton continue to lead the band on stage, performing the music that helped shape Australian rock.
The current lineup features original founding members Mick Bower (guitarist, founder and principal composer) and Brian Vaughton (drums) alongside vocalist Craig Holden, with Bill Harrod (bass) and Dan Matejcic (guitar) completing the lineup.
For this special Brisbane performance, Doug Ford will make a guest appearance performing selected songs during the show, marking the first time the principal songwriters from both eras of The Masters Apprentices will share the stage together.
Fans will hear the early hits penned by Mick Bower including Living In A Child’s Dream, Wars Or Hands Of Time and Undecided, alongside classic songs written by Doug Ford including Think About Tomorrow Today, Turn Up Your Radio and Because I Love You, and much more.
With both of the band’s defining songwriters appearing on the same stage, this rare performance offers a unique opportunity to experience the full musical legacy of one of Australia’s most important rock bands.
Presented by The Grape Organisation
Tickets at Moshtix
themastersapprentices.com
grapeorganisation.com
More than 60 years ago, Australian music history was made when guitarist Mick Bower founded a band in Adelaide with Rick Morrison, Gavin Webb and Brian Vaughton called The Mustangs. Bower re-named the group; The Masters Apprentices, inspired by the blues influences of the great artists who shaped rock music. The band called for auditions and Jim Keays became lead singer. As the band’s founder and principal songwriter, Mick Bower wrote many of the group’s defining early classics including Living In A Child’s Dream, Wars Or Hands Of Time and Undecided, helping establish The Masters Apprentices as one of the most important bands of Australia’s late-1960s rock explosion alongside The Easybeats, The Twilights, The Loved Ones and Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs. More than six decades later, with Bower and original drummer Brian Vaughton still leading the band, The Masters Apprentices continue to perform the music that helped shape Australian rock history, including the enduring hits Turn Up Your Radio, Because I Love You and more.
