Judith Durham, Australia’s first international pop queen and the voice of the Seekers

Judith Durham, Australia’s first international pop queen and the voice of the Seekers

 

Judith Durham’s skill was evident in the Australian music scene, and her unassuming demeanor, strong bell-like voice, and fortitude in the face of hardship won her a devoted following.

Durham, a folk-singing foursome that rose to fame internationally between 1964 and 1968 before departing to pursue a solo career as a jazz vocalist, passed away in Melbourne at the age of 79. Recently, the band reconciled and got back together, reviving interest in the Seekers and exposing new generations to the music of their parents.

The Seekers, which also included Bruce Woodley, Athol Guy, and Keith Potger, formed Australia’s first multinational supergroup in the brief time they were together. They topped the Australian and UK charts for several weeks in 1966 thanks to successes like “I’ll Never Find Another You” and “The Carnival Is Over.” For half of that time, they even outsold the Rolling Stones and Beatles. With their biggest hit, the title song for the Academy Award-nominated movie Georgy Girl, they became the first Australian band to score a US No 1. After selling more than 50 million records and drawing more than 200,000 fans to their 1967 show at Melbourne’s Myer Music Bowl, The Seekers continue to claim the title of Australia’s largest concertgoer.

For the four Melburnians, it was a swift ascent to celebrity. After starting off as a 10-week trip to London on a cruise liner, Durham—who had a chronic health condition—was left tired and with self-image issues after four years. After winning Australian of the Year for the group as a whole in 1967, Durham informed the band that year that she was going to focus on her solo career. She later acknowledged that she was unaware of the impact her choice had on her bandmates and their fan base.