Australian singer songwriter Gary Shearston has died at age 74 after suffering a stroke on Monday at home in Tenterfield.
A statement at his official website reads, “We regret to confirm that Gary Shearston has died suddenly after suffering a stroke at his home near Tenterfield, NSW. This website showcases his musical output over almost 50 years… and what an impressive legacy! In recent years he’s had an extraordinary burst of creativity and even in his last days he was putting the finishing touches to a new collection of songs. We have lost a great artist and a great friend. Our most heartfelt condolences to his family, especially his children Bonnie and Luke, and wife Karen
Shearston had a Top 20 hit in Australia and the UK in 1974 with a cover of Cole Porter’s ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You’.
Gary Shearston was born in Inverell, New South Wales on 9 January, 1939. Gary became a professional singer at age 19 and in 1962 signed to Leedon Records, the Australian record label started by Johnny O’Keefe’s manager Lee Gordon and bought in 1960 by Festival Records.
In 1963 Gary signed with CBS Records and released the album ‘Australian Broadside’. Radio started playing ‘Sydney Town’ and it became a Top 10 hit in Sydney.
Another benchmark success for Shearston was when Peter, Paul and Mary covered his song ‘Sometime Lovin’. They invited him to the USA where he lived for four years as well as one year in London.
In London Gary Shearston re-recorded songs from his album ‘Dingo’. The album included ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You’. It reached no 7 in the UK and no. 11 in Australia.
Gary returned to Australia in 1989 and became an Anglican priest in 1992. His last album ‘The Great Australian Groove’ in 2012.
Gary Shearston died on July 1.
