Jim Keays, who helped kick off garage rock in Australia and then helped transform the Masters Apprentices into one of the best pop and rock bands of the 1960s and ‘70s, has died.
Keays, who was 67, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma seven years ago but released an album of modern garage rock in 2012, recently recorded another album and continued touring with two of his ‘60s contemporaries, Darryl Cotton and Russell Morris as Cotton Keays and Morris.
He died at 10.30 on Friday morning from pneumonia related to the multiple myeloma ( a type of blood cancer). He had been admitted to intensive care of The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago when the illness got serious but it was thought that he was on “the road to recovery”.
Morris paid tribute, saying: “Jim was one of my closest, and dearest friends – I spoke to him everyday. He was exceptionally brave, erudite, funny and incredibly talented. I loved him very much, and I will miss him greatly – but he will live on; in our hearts, and through the wonderful music he created.”
Keays’ legacy includes Australian standards such as Living In A Child’s Dream, Turn Up Your Radio and Because I Love You, as well as inspiration to a generation of rock frontmen around the country.
The singer with the shock of long hair and the nasally voice that was all vim and vinegar became the frontman of Adelaide instrumental band the Mustangs in early 1965 and they transformed themselves into the raw, rhythm-and-blues outfit the Masters Apprentices.
Taking their cues from the likes of the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones and the Pretty Things, the Masters Apprentices took American blues, added snotty attitude and within a year went from placing third in the Adelaide heat of Hoadley’s National Battle Of The Sounds to releasing one of the classic underground Australian singles, Undecided/War or Hands Of Time.
Former band member Glenn Wheatley said: “I had the pleasure of sharing some of the best years of my life with Jim Keays. I will always remember him as the consummate showman. Vale my friend, you will be greatly missed.”
Keays had been putting the finishing touches to his latest rock album, which was due for release in August.
He leaves behind his partner, Karin and three children, Holly, Bonnie and James.
