One of the founding members of legendary Aussie rock band The Masters Apprentices has died after a six-year cancer battle.
Gavin Webb, the band’s bass player, was in the group from its beginnings in 1965 until 1968, later joining them again for a series of reunion shows.
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The Masters Apprentices is best known for hits including (It’s) Because I Love You and Turn Up Your Radio.
The musician died in Royal Adelaide Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, the band said in a Facebook post.
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved bassist and founding member of ARIA Hall of Fame inducted band The Masters Apprentices, Gavin Webb,” the post said.
“After being in remission for a few years, Gavin passed away from a six-year battle with cancer in the Royal Adelaide Hospital on Tuesday afternoon 16th April 2024.”
The band said Webb left behind an incredible musical legacy.
“Even though Gavin was softly spoken, what few words he did say, he would always make count,” it wrote.
“Gavin’s band dossier from 1966 says his personal ambition is to ‘be a good musician’, a humble dream he would go on to transcend.
“Gavin leaves behind an incredible musical legacy which will live forever in Australia’s music history.
“Gavin entered our lives 60 years ago. He joined our band as a bassist and from that moment became a member of our family; our brother.
“We will greatly miss our Gavin and treasure the life long bond we will share forever — from Mustangs to Masters.
“Our love eternally ‘Spider’.
“Mick Bower, Brian Vaughton and Rick Morrison — The Masters Apprentices.”
The band began life in 1964 as The Mustangs.
It was a musical force to be reckoned with in the 1960s and early 1970s, having hits with songs such as (It’s) Because I Love You, Turn Up Your Radio, Undecided and Living in a Child’s Dream.
The band was fronted by Jim Keays, who died in 2014.
In 1970, the group moved to London, hoping to break into the UK market.
But they had disbanded by 1972, coming together again from the late 1980s onwards to play live again.
Webb is survived by his son Ben and partner Sharon.
The band’s fans took to Facebook to express their condolences at Webb’s passing.
“RIP Gavin … thank you for the music,” one fan wrote.
“Thanks for the memories … you spoke through your musicianship,” wrote another.
“Another for the heavenly stage,” said a third.
“RIP, loved The Masters Apprentices, my era.”