I don’t know about you, but any time I hear Judith Durham sing, my heart is warmed, and my soul is lifted. For me “The Seekers” holds a key to a magic and a mysterious bond to my childhood.
My father loves music, and our home was full of it. From Henry Mancini to James Last we were immersed in it all. But of all of it I remember most fondly is “The Seekers.”
When looking back I suppose that The Seekers were Australia’s most important export.
Before I committed to writing this piece, I took a journey down memory lane via YouTube, and I watched with joy and interview with Ray Martin who interviewed the group in 2012 for 60 minutes.
For me Judith Durham was the face of The Seekers. Her angelic voice was one of hope and warmth. Of course, I know there were three other members but quintessentially she was it.
Judith’s story is a complex and beguiling tail. Early in life Judith believed her future would be as a pianist. She went on to gain her Associate In Music, Australia (A.Mus.A.) in classical piano as a student of world-renowned concert pianist Professor Ronald Farren-Price at the Melbourne University Conservatorium, with her first professional engagement in the arts playing piano for a ballet school.
Still in her teens, although excelling on piano, little Judy Cock dreamed of fame singing opera or musical comedy and in 1961, aged 18, she was ready to begin classical vocal training. One night, just for fun, she ‘sat in’ with a trad jazz band at a local dance called “Memphis”, and found instant success performing blues, gospels, and jazz standards of the 1920s and 1930s, also developing as a serious ragtime pianist. She began using her mother’s maiden name, and at 19 she made her first record, an EP for W&G “Judy Durham” with Frank Traynor’s Jazz Preachers.
Meanwhile, by day since leaving school, Judy’s first job was as Secretary to the Pathologist at the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital, but on taking a new secretarial job at J Walter Thompson Advertising, on her first day she met account executive Athol Guy. Athol played in an acoustic bass and also sang in a bass in a trio called The Seekers. He invited her that very night to come and join him and the two guitarists Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley, to sing an acoustic four-part harmony folk and gospel set at a Melbourne coffee lounge “Treble Clef”. Still singing regularly with various jazz bands nearly every other night, she then became a regular every Monday with The Seekers. Adopting her birth name Judith, recorded an album with The Seekers for W&G, & appeared on local TV. Deciding the future was bigger than Melbourne coffee shops they set sail for London in 1964 on “SS Fairsky” for a 10-week stay, singing for their supper on board.
On the advice of Australian entertainer Horrie Dargie, the group sent the album and TV footage ahead to a big theatrical agency, The Grade Organisation, and on their arrival in ‘swinging London’, agent Eddie Jarrett booked them extensively in clubs, TV, and variety theatre. He asked Tom Springfield (Dusty’s brother) to write and produce a single, resulting in the surprise chart-topper “I’ll Never Find Another You” which made The Seekers the first Australian group ever to hit No.1 internationally, and made Judith, Australia’s the very first international pop princess and pin-up girl, and unexpectedly cemented her in the group as a full-time Seeker.
Australians Of The Year 1967 and ARIA Hall Of Fame inductees, The Seekers first performed together in 1962. They became Australia’s first international supergroup, topping charts around the world with hits like “Georgy Girl” (Academy Award® nominated), “The Carnival Is Over” (No. 7 in the Top 10 UK Hits of the 60s) and “I’ll Never Find Another You” (to date more than 7 million hits on YouTube.com). Famous for putting Australia on the international pop music map with their unique pop sound, singing in four-part harmony playing 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars and double bass, The Seekers still hold the record for the biggest concert crowd in the southern hemisphere – 200,000 – in March 1967.
By February ’65 and “I’ll Never Find Another You” the single reached No.1 in Britain, Australia and throughout the world. The Seekers had created history as the first Australian group to crack the American charts and the UK ‘beat’ scene had been turned on its ear by these clean-cut Aussies. The Seekers were named ‘Best New Group’ at the ‘Top Of The Pops Awards’.
They toured internationally, with more chart-topping hits over the next three years: ‘A World Of Our Own’; ‘Someday, One Day’ written for them by Paul Simon; Malvina Reynolds’ lullaby ‘Morningtown Ride’; ‘Walk With Me’; ‘When Will The Good Apples Fall?’; and ‘The Carnival Is Over’ which knocked The Rolling Stones’ ‘Get Off Of My Cloud’ from No.1 by selling 90,000 copies a day!
The Seekers’ greatest hit, ‘Georgy Girl’, made them the first Australian group to reach No.1 in the USA. It was composed for them by Tom Springfield with lyrics by actor Jim Dale for the black and white movie ‘Georgy Girl’ starring Lynn Redgrave. The song was nominated for an Oscar.
The Seekers starred in several Australian TV spectaculars: ‘The Seekers At Home’, ‘The Seekers Down Under’ (highest rating (67) music program in Australian TV history), and ‘The World Of The Seekers’ (for TV and cinema release) – all ratings triumphs. A concert in 1967 at Melbourne’s Myer Music Bowl drew a record-shattering crowd of 200,000+ – the largest concert audience ever in the southern hemisphere… representing ten per cent of the entire population of the city at the time!!
The Seekers starred in the New Musical Express ‘All-Star Poll Winners Concert’ at Wembley Arena alongside many other iconic Sixties legends like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and The Who… and they outsold them all in the first six months of ’66. Later that year, they sang in the ‘Royal Command Performance’ at the ‘London Palladium’, then represented our country at ‘Expo ’67’ in Montreal in the first-ever satellite television broadcast to Australia and were honoured jointly as ‘Australians Of The Year’.
But after much soul-searching, Judith Durham gave six months’ notice to the other three group members and their manager, and The Seekers’ final London shows in 1968 resulted in a live-in-concert emotional BBC TV spectacular ‘Farewell The Seekers’ watched by a tearful audience of more than 10 million people. The Seekers had gone, but the inevitable “Best Of” album charted for a staggering 125 weeks. Bill Wyman wrote, that for the first time ever, The Rolling Stones could not debut at No.1 with their new album, because The Seekers ‘Best Of’ was outselling ‘Goat’s Head Soup’!
THE NINETIES & BEYOND:
For the next 25 years Judith, Athol, Keith, and Bruce found fulfilment individually, while the “spirit of the group” grew more and more legendary around the world; fans of all ages continually begged The Seekers to perform “one more time”. Many new young fans hoped all their lives they might see their idols one day in the flesh. So, in 1993, causing unprecedented excitement, Judith, Athol, Keith and Bruce announced they were reuniting for ‘The Silver Jubilee Tour’ and under the guidance of manager John Kovac, the magic continued with CD and video releases (videos were an Eighties invention!); the ’25 Year Reunion Celebration – Live In Concert’ CD went platinum; and the quadruple-platinum video was the biggest-selling music video in Australia’s history knocking the reissue of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ from No.1!!
In the UK, overwhelmingly emotional sell-out concerts followed in 1994 and 1995 at London’s ‘Royal Albert Hall’ and ‘Wembley Arena’, and in 1995 The Seekers were inducted by Peter Asher into Australia’s ‘ARIA Hall Of Fame’… the group that first put Australia on the international pop music map.
The Seekers toured extensively again: in 1997 to celebrate their first studio album in 30 years ‘Future Road’, including a ‘Making Of’ video; in 2000 ‘The Carnival Of Hits’ world tour; and in 2003 the Never Say Never Again tour to round out the decade. Their audiences still included fans as young as 3 years old to 23, 53, and 93 years young, all joining in the rhythms and singing all the words with gusto – just like it always was in the Sixties.
In the new Milennium, further significant albums were released: in 2001, the first-ever Seekers’ Christmas album ‘Morningtown Ride To Christmas’; in 2002, the group’s first-ever double CD ‘Night Of Nights…Live’; and in 2003, 25 timeless and uplifting tracks were chosen by the group themselves for the Australian compilation ‘The Ultimate Collection, executive produced by Graham Simpson. They included Bruce’s iconic composition “I Am Australian”, and the newly-recorded “Massachusetts” thereby fulfilling an early dream of The Bee Gees (in 1969, Maurice Gibb had told an astonished Judith that when The Bee Gees first arrived in London they tried in vain to get “Massachusetts” to The Seekers to record as a Seekers hit!)
Seekers videos were then released on DVD including ‘25 Year Reunion Celebration – Live In Concert’ with bonuses ‘Future Road : The Video’ and the rare film clip ‘Far Shore’, ‘The Seekers At Home And Down Under’ and ‘The World Of The Seekers’. But fans of all ages were not ready to say goodbye to the group yet, and in July 2004, The Seekers once again bowed to public demand and undertook their ‘Four Decades Of Gold’ Australia and New Zealand tour.
In 2006, The Seekers were given the “Key To The City” of Melbourne and in 2008, The Seekers’ 1965 No.1 hit ‘The Carnival Is Over’ was named No.30 in the ‘UK Official Top 100 Best-Selling Singles Of All Time’.
The Seekers (with ‘The Carnival Is Over’) now rank No. 6 in the official BBC Radio 2 chart of the “Biggest-Selling Chart Stars of the 1960s”, placing them above The Rolling Stones (with “The Last Time” at No. 36), Elvis Presley (with “It’s Now Or Never” at No. 9), Tom Jones (with “Green, Green Grass Of Home” at No. 10) and Cliff Richard & The Shadows (with “The Young Ones” at No. 14) and even The Beatles’ (with “Hey Jude” at No. 20 – although admittedly The Beatles rank at No’s. 1, 2, 4 and 5 too!)
In 2010, The Seekers were surprised and delighted to be invited by Andre Rieu to join his tour and, putting their individual projects on hold for the extravaganza, they reunited to tour Australia and New Zealand as special guests of Andre and his Johann Strauss Orchestra.
In 2012, The Seekers went back into the recording studio to record two new tracks – “Silver Threads And Golden Needles” and “In My Life” – to take pride of place on their newest compilation, ‘The Golden Jubilee Album : 50 Tracks For Fifty Years”. They were honoured by Australia Post with a ‘Legends Of Australian Music’ postage stamp in January 2013, Helen Edwards’ portrait ‘The Seekers Reunite 50 Years On’ was displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in April, and now … the world can truly celebrate The Seekers’ milestone as December 3 2012 marked 50 years since the four original members – first met and performed together.
The group announced and then sold-out a ‘Golden Jubilee Tour’ of Australia, which was abruptly halted when Judith suffered a brain hemorrhage after the first of four sold-out nights in Melbourne. Six months of hospitalisation and rehabilitation followed – during which time Judith’s commemorative ‘Platinum Album’ was released to mark her 70th birthday – before she was given the green light for the Australian tour to resume.
Another sold-out tour of the United Kingdom followed, performing 18 sold-out shows culminating in two packed houses at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The Seekers concluded their Golden Jubilee Tour with sold out concerts in New Zealand.
Judith, Athol, Keith and Bruce were each honoured with the Officer Of The Order Of Australia (AO) in June 2014.
In 2016 The Seekers attended the opening nights of “Georgy Girl The Seekers Musical” in both Melbourne and Sydney
Through the decades, along with Judith’s immense popularity and success as one of the all-time great lead singers of one of the world’s most popular groups, she has always enjoyed the musical freedom of solo work. The release of her powerful and varied first self-penned album ‘Hold On To Your Dream’ was a milestone collection showcasing for the first time her exceptional talent as a composer and lyricist of inspirational and philosophical songs. It featured her glorious anthem for the nation “Australia Land of Today”; her popular 50s doo-wop song “Coulda Woulda Shoulda”; ‘It’s Hard To Leave’ which brings solace in palliative care and comfort to bereaved families and was internationally recognised in a paper at the World Congress of Music Therapy in the UK; the album’s title track ‘Hold On To Your Dream’ has been invoked by fans in achieving previously unattainable goals.
There is increasing global awareness of the unique healing quality of Judith’s singing voice and the uplifting power of many of her compositions, and fans travel halfway around the world especially to hear that legendary ‘one in a million golden voice’ in concert.
Of one thing Judith was certain of was, “The Seekers” is a phenomenon – legendary and timeless, spanning all ages and nationalities – and she is grateful to have been given the role of lead singer in the group as well as to have a fulfilling, creative life as a performing artist in her own right, composer, lyricist, writer, poet, actor, company director and senior citizen, turning 70 on July 3 2013.
Judith found herself back in the studio with the group recording and filming two standout tracks for ‘The Golden Jubilee Album: 50 Tracks For 50 Years’. “Silver Threads and Golden Needles” and the visual feast of “In My Life” were destined to be standout moments in ‘The Golden Jubilee Tour’, when The Seekers hit the road.
Following the media frenzy of their 50th Birthday Party in Melbourne came yet another accolade for The Seekers – the presentation of a 24-carat gold ‘stamp’ by Australia Post as part of their ‘Legends of Australian Music’ series – and the official handover of the portrait of the group to the National Portrait Gallery, painted by Helen Edwards, “The Seekers Reunite 50 Years On”.
The group announced and then sold-out a ‘Golden Jubilee Tour’ of Australia, which was abruptly halted when Judith suffered a brain hemorrhage after the first of four sold-out nights in Melbourne. Six months of hospitalisation and rehabilitation followed – during which time Judith’s commemorative ‘Platinum Album’ was released to mark her 70th birthday – before she was given the green light for the Australian tour to resume.
Another sold-out tour of New Zealand followed, before The Seekers toured the United Kingdom, performing 18 sold-out show culminating in two packed houses at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Just prior to the return to Australia, The Seekers were advised that they had individually been awarded the Order of Australia (AO) – one of the highest honours that can be bestowed on Australian citizens. Judith would add yet another honour to her tally by being named Victorian of the Year 2015 the following year.
Also, in 2015, Georgy Girl: The Seekers Musical opened to packed house in Melbourne, before moving on to successful seasons in Sydney and Perth. Among the production’s many musical numbers were Judith’s “Mama’s Got the Blues” and “I Remember”, and “Colours of my Life”, which she co-wrote with David Reilly.
Judith undertook a solo ‘farewell’ tour of New Zealand, playing 18 sold-out concerts as her Colours of my Life compilation CD soared to No. 2 on the charts there.
And in 2018, Ambition Entertainment packaged The Seekers’ three record-breaking 60s TV spectacular into one magnificent collector’s edition set, The Seekers: The Legendary Television Specials. Proving again that the music of The Seekers is timeless and much loved, the DVD set reached No. 1 on the ARIA chart!
Another highlight of 2018 is the release of Judith’s first solo studio album in six years. Timed to mark Judith’s 75th birthday, So Much More is a collection of beautiful songs that Judith Durham has composed with some immensely talented writers and musicians from around the world – all lovingly crafted, and superbly sung.
These never-before-released tracks tell of hope and courage, pain and loss, all-consuming devotion, uplifting spirituality, friendship, and a profound love of Australia and its indigenous heritage.
In a career that spans five decades, internationally-acclaimed Judith Durham has fronted Australia’s most celebrated musical export, as well as enjoying her fulfilling, creative life as a performing artist in her own right, composer, lyricist, writer, poet, actor, company director and senior citizen!
BEHIND THE SCENES
Behind the scenes, Judith has been an egg-free vegetarian since 1968, advocating a lifestyle that is non-smoking, environmentally friendly, decaffeinated, teetotal, drug free and cruelty free. Through her website and her production company Musicoast® she enjoys a passionate involvement in recording, composing, music publishing and the entertainment industry.
Judith has been National Patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia (MNDAA) since the death of her beloved husband, brilliant pianist Ron Edgeworth, from MND in 1994. She is also Patron of the Injured Nurses Support Group (INSG), the Small Miracles Foundation (formerly Bonnie Babes Foundation), ‘The Georgina Josephine Foundation’ (advocating driveway safety), and The Australian Children’s Choir. Judith supported Yooralla’s disability services, and supported women through her association with the International Women’s Federation of Commerce & Industry (IWFCI), and The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation.
In her appearances with The Seekers, Judith supported The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, young people through Kids Under Cover and Variety Clubs, and The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.
In 1995, The Seekers were inducted into the Australian Record Industry Association’s (ARIA) Hall of Fame, and in that same year Judith was honoured with the Medal of the Order Of Australia (OAM) for services to music, particular as an entertainer and composer.
My she rest in peace.
