This article appeared in The Adelaide Advertiser, Sat July 7, accompanied by photos of Rick Morrison's guitar and Brian Vaughton's drumskin. It also included a vintage photo of the original band and manager Graham Longley, standing next to a recreation of that photo taken at the ceremony, with later member Peter Tilbrook standing in for lead singer Jim Keays.

[Thanks to Steve Hogan]

They look more likely to turn down the radio these days - but The Masters Apprentices still echo in the memory of many baby boomers. One of Australia's supergroups of the 1960s and '70s, their contribution to the music scene is being recognised again.

Yesterday, some of the history of the band went on display at the State Library, including a tour diary, guitar, drumskin, a poster for a "mod dance", its first record contract and a 1967 5KA Top 10 Award.

"I'm thrilled to bits that my children can see what the music industry was all about in those days," former drummer Brian Vaughton said.

"It is a representation of everybody's involvement in the music.

"While the line-up changed by the time the group broke up and its base had shifted to Melbourne, The Masters are strongly an SA institution with its four original members and original manager still living in Adelaide.

Mr Vaughton has a cafe in Hutt St, guitarist Rick Morrison is a nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, bass guitarist Gavin Webb is a writer, manager Graham Longley runs a building company and guitarist Mick Bower works for Minda Incorporated.

It all started for the band in 1964 when they formed as The Mustangs.By 1965, when Jim Keays had joined as lead singer, the name had changed to The Masters Apprentices, and national - and international success - followed. For Mr Bower, who also wrote most of the early songs, the band's emergence on the rock scene was typical of what was happening in the music scene of the day.

"The money was always on the east coast, as it is today, but the talent was in Adelaide," he said.

"If you look at your history books and look at the musicians and the bands that have come from SA over the years you'll see why it's true that sleepy, nice-to-live-in Adelaide, has made such a giant contribution to the evolution of popular music.

The band had 10 Top 10 hits between 1965 and 1972 including Turn Up Your Radio, Living In A Child's Dream and Because I Love You.

Mr Bower, the least likely rock star in a navy blue sports jacket, tie and a greying moustache, said he still retained an interest in music.

"I play occasionally for myself and we might get together for a jam," he said.

Among the band's long-time fans at yesterday's event was Elaine Farmer who, as a 16-year-old schoolgirl Elaine Gepp, went to the Beat Basement in Rundle St and listened to them perform in 1967.She even sent them their first fan letter which is now in the collection.

"It said something about my mum not allowing me to go to their concerts," Mrs Farmer said. "I never had a crush on any of them. I just loved their music."