SA Music Hall of Fame Announce New Inductees

The event celebrates and commemorates the artists, musicians and industry icons who have helped to shape SA's musical prominence. This year's inductees are no exception and have certainly left their mark.

Vincent, the renowned radio personality, musician and songwriter, will be inducted posthumously, with his family accepting the honour. Meanwhile, McNamara has spent five decades making music as a solo artist and as a member of Five Sided Circle and Musick Express.

The event will focus on their career highlights and their outstanding contributions to South Australian music history.

"John Vincent wrote over 50 comedy songs and passionately promoted Australian music through his long career," said SA Music Hall of Fame Chairman Brian Nadilo.

"Many people are unaware that The Ken Oath Ockerstra were the first band to play at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

"Multi-instrumentalist Trevor McNamara is a creative force as an innovator, songwriter, and musician. Both of these artists are deserving of their place in history and in the South Australian Music Hall of Fame, and we are honoured to be inducting them."

The celebrations will kick off from around 3pm, with live performances throughout the afternoon. Five Sided Circle will perform with McNamara, while an all-star band will revisit the music of the Ken Oath Ockerstra. Ned Baulderstone will also take to the stage.

Trevor McNamara

McNamara picked up the guitar at 15 and officially began his music career in 1965 as lead guitarist for Five Sided Circle.

By 1969, he was briefly playing with Musick Express, where he wrote "Jackie's Thing", a standout hit for the band. At age 20, he wrote and staged Piano, one of South Australia's earliest original rock operas and a pioneering work for its time.

McNamara’s musical curiosity didn’t stop there. In 1970, as a solo artist, he recorded Yeah Captain at Nationwide Recording Studios on Hindley Street, playing every instrument on the track himself, including Moog, 12-string guitar, drums, piano and saxophone.

Trevor's affiliation with Nationwide continued, helping to develop and promote local talent. He also helped in establishing the Raven label with Graham Morphett and later served as an executive for Crest Records.

As presenter and music producer on NWS9's pop program Move, McNamara helped bring South Australian music into the limelight. His own singles included 'Morocco', '6000 People' and 'Instant Karma'.

A prolific collaborator and producer, McNamara worked with artists including Patsy Biscoe, Ernie Sigley and Anne Wills, produced 'H. M. S. Buffalo' for Inside Looking Out, and mentored musicians like Peter Vitek.

Under the name GG Dobbin, he wrote and produced 'My Belle & Me' for Leon Byner and arranged 'The Ballad of John Grey Gorton' for John Vincent.

Yeah Captain was eventually reissued in 2001 before being remastered for Spotify, while Five Sided Circle reunited in the late ’80s, with McNamara continuing to perform with the band.

While his focus has shifted towards visual art in recent years, McNamara will forever be considered foundational to the '70s music scene in South Australia.

John "Vinnie" Vincent

Born in Sydney on August 5, 1941, John "Vinnie" Vincent got his start in country radio, landing his first job at 2RE Taree in 1963.

He went on to work at various stations including 2NX Newcastle, 6PR Perth and 7HO Hobart, his musical career kicking off in 1965 when he wrote 'We’re Both Sorry Now' for country singer Buddy Williams. He then went on to release his own debut single, 'Owyagoin'.

By 1967, Vincent was based in Adelaide and had become a popular disc jockey at 5AD. He also became a familiar face around town, compering private functions and writing a weekly column for Go-Set.

In the early '70s, he was poached by 5KA, where listeners fondly remember his signature opening, 'Hello listener'.

In 1971, he recorded 'The Ballad of John Grey Gorton', a political song dedicated to the then Prime Minister. Vincent also regularly performed at the Findon Hotel with his band Celsius 69 in 1974, producing their live EP.

But it was Vincent's alter ego Ken Oath that really cemented his place as SA music royalty. With The Ken Oath Ockerstra, Vincent took on rock'n'roll comedy with a distinctly Australian, 'ocker’ flavour, releasing tracks including 'Junk Mail', '12 Bars on 45' and 'I’ve Had a Gutful of You.

In 1981, Vincent joined SAFM as part of the Morning Zoo breakfast team, staying for 14 years. Its popularity rose, seeing it become the number one breakfast show on Adelaide airwaves. He famously named the promotional vehicles the Black Thunder.

Vincent died in March 2009, leaving behind an accomplished career across radio, music & comedy.

Celebrating SA Music

The South Australian Music Hall of Fame was established in 2009 to recognise the artists, bands, industry professionals and venues that have made a significant contribution to the state’s legacy.

More than 200 South Australian music figures have now been inducted, including Cold Chisel, Guy Sebastian, The Angels, Paul Kelly and The Mark of Cain.

The organisation is run entirely by a volunteer committee of music industry figures, with new inductees recognised each year.

This year’s ceremony will take place at The Brit Entertainment Centre in Wingfield, a volunteer-led live music venue dedicated to championing local artists.

Doors open at 1pm, with the live entertainment underway from 2pm.

SA Music Hall of Fame Induction Day takes place at The Brit Entertainment Centre, 11–15 Davis Street, Wingfield, on Sunday, October 18. Tickets are on sale now at trybooking.com.