It’s a testament to a career that has spanned as many guises as decades, but the passing of time and the accumulation of accolades have brought Shorrock to new territory, filled with surprises but also sadness.

Speaking to the former Little River Band and Axiom frontman and solo artist over the phone this week, Shorrock is still reeling from the death of his mate Jim Keays, the Masters Apprentices’ dynamic lead singer. 

“It’s been a sad weekend with Jim’s passing on Saturday morning,” he said.

“It was not unexpected, but nonetheless it’s not easy to take. 

“There’s a strong fellowship among us blokes from the ’60s.

“None of us have been here before. We’ve never been in our 60s and still doing what we did when we were 17 or 18. 

“It’s pretty amazing. The Stones feel the same way, I’m sure. It’s great to have a long career.”

That long career is reflected on in his show at Warrnambool’s Lighthouse Theatre tomorrow night with fellow “second wave of Aussie rock” (after the likes of Johnny O’Keefe and Col Joye) star Brian Cadd.

“It’s a trip down memory lane,” Shorrock said.

“We sing songs and tell lies.” Shorrock can’t remember when he and Cadd first met, but he said they’ve remained mates “regardless of music (because) we think at the same speed, we laugh at the same things, and we love a glass of red”.

“I can’t remember the specific time (we met),” he said.

“In ’65 (Shorrock’s band) The Twilights moved to Melbourne to be professional pop stars, instead of weekend pop stars, which is what we were doing in Adelaide, and (Brian) was in The Jackson Kings (in Melbourne). 

“Our paths crossed all the time. We all did — Masters Apprentices, Zoot, The Groop. 

“We didn’t travel much and we were all in Melbourne ... except (Billy) Thorpey, he stayed in Sydney — although you could hear him from Melbourne,” he laughed, adding “that’s a good one, I better write that one down for the show!”.

Over the years, Cadd and Shorrock have regularly teamed up. 

They formed Axiom in 1969, caught up regularly during the ’70s and ’80s as LRB toured the US where Cadd was living, recorded an album together in 1993 and toured extensively, reformed Axiom in 2002 for the Long Way To The Top tour, and recently recorded a new album together so they “can have some product to sell” on their current joint tour.

Shorrock said the show starts with their teen influences, before moving on through their extensive back catalogues.

“The centrepiece is the Axiom songs, like Little Ray Of Sunshine,” he said.

“It’s one of those songs people talk to you about and come up and say ‘I remember when my first daughter was born, you probably hear this all the time ...’.

“But that’s fine. You can’t deny the fact people relate to the music, and when you’re a songwriter that’s very important.”  

Their new album is called The Story of Sharky & The Caddman and the respected Aussie pop veterans will perform at Warrnambool’s Lighthouse Theatre tomorrow from 8pm.