Australian music icon Daryl Braithwaite has announced his retirement from live performance, citing ongoing physical challenges that have made touring increasingly difficult. The 75-year-old ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, best known for his solo hit “The Horses” and his tenure as the frontman of the band Sherbet, confirmed the decision in a statement released via social media on June 25, 2024.
Why is Daryl Braithwaite retiring from live shows?
Braithwaite stated that he is stepping back from the stage because performing has become physically taxing. According to his official announcement on Instagram, the singer noted that “it has been increasingly physically challenging for me to sing comfortably.” He explained that these physical limitations have diminished his enjoyment of live performance, a career component he has prioritized for nearly six decades. While he is ending his touring career, he has not ruled out continued work in the recording studio.
A legacy spanning six decades
Braithwaite’s career began in the late 1960s, eventually reaching national prominence as the lead singer of the glam-rock band Sherbet. The group achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1970s with tracks such as “Summer Love” and “Howzat.”
The band’s reach extended beyond Australia, with “Howzat” reaching number four on the United Kingdom charts in 1976. Decades later, the band’s influence remained relevant when Daft Punk sampled the 1982 Sherbet track “We Ride Tonight” for the song “Contact,” featured on the duo’s 2013 Grammy-winning album, *Random Access Memories*.
The enduring impact of “The Horses”
As a solo artist, Braithwaite solidified his status as an Australian cultural fixture with his 1991 cover of Rickie Lee Jones’ “The Horses.” The song has maintained a persistent presence in Australian pop culture for over 30 years. In 2024, the track was voted into the top tier of Triple J’s “Hottest 100 of Australian Songs,” ranking as the highest-placed cover song in the poll. This enduring popularity contributed to his second induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2017, having previously been inducted as a member of Sherbet in 1990.
Professional milestones and recent activity
Before his retirement announcement, Braithwaite remained an active participant in the Australian touring circuit. He performed as part of the 2024 Red Hot Summer Tour, a series of outdoor concerts headlined by Simple Minds and ICEHOUSE. His final solo performance took place on March 13, 2024, at The Cooly Hotel in Queensland.
Key career facts
- First ARIA Hall of Fame induction: 1990 (with Sherbet)
- Second ARIA Hall of Fame induction: 2017 (as a solo artist)
- Major solo hit: “The Horses” (1991)
- Career duration: 58 years
Braithwaite’s departure from live music marks the end of one of the longest-running careers in the Australian industry. While his stage presence will no longer be a fixture at festivals and venues, his recorded catalog remains a foundational element of the Australian musical landscape.
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