Daryl Braithwaite retires from live music: ‘Difficult’

Australian icon Daryl Braithwaite has revealed he will no longer play live gigs in a blow to thousands of fans.

The 77-year-old’s hit song The Horses is widely considered the unofficial national anthem.

Taking to social media the legend said: “After much thought and consideration, I have made the difficult and sad decision to step back from performing live gigs.

“For some time now it has been increasingly physically challenging for me to sing comfortably and as a result it has taken the joy out of performing, which has always been so important to me.

“I have loved the 58 years of being a part of the music industry.

“I sincerely want to thank all of the dedicated and loyal supporters and all of the people and organisations that I have been associated with who have been such a significant part of my singing life. With much love and I thank you. Daryl.”

Mr Braithwaite has been performing for almost 60 years as a member of the band Sherbet and then as a solo artist.

His hits include Howzat, Summer Love, One Summer, As The Days Go By and The Horses.

The Horses was written by singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones with Steely Dan’s Walter Becker but it was only when Mr Braithwaite covered it in 1990 that it became a huge hit.

Mr Braithwaite can’t explain why the song is love by so many of all ages.

“It’s a strange, exciting situation with that song … trying to fathom why it is so endearing to people,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to Rickie Lee Jones about it and, like myself, she doesn’t know.”