Judith Durham, lead singer of the iconic Australian folk-pop band, The Seekers has died aged 79.
The Seekers’ irresistible pop arrangements and Durham’s ethereal soprano vocal propelled them to the top of charts around the world in the 1960s, with the Melbourne quartet becoming the first Aussie band to crack the Top five in the US, UK and here in Australia. The band sold more than 50 million records throughout the decade on the strength of hits like I'll Never Find Another You, I Am Australian and Georgy Girl.
Durham joined the Seekers in 1962, being appointed lead singer when she was just 20 years old. After a rapid rise to international fame, she left the group in 1968, leaving an impressive legacy of iconic hits from her short six-year tenure. Durham would continue to release solo albums throughout her lengthy career and was honoured with a number of awards, including Australian of the Year, alongside her Seekers bandmates in 1967, the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to music in 1995, the Centenary Medal in 2003 and, most recently, Victorian of the Year in 2015.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has posted a heartfelt tribute to the singer, describing Durham as an "Australian icon" and "a national treasure".
"Judith Durham gave voice to a new strand of our identity and helped blaze a trail for a new generation of Aussie artists," Albanese wrote on Twitter. "Her kindness will be missed by many, the anthems she gave to our nation will never be forgotten."
A national treasure and an Australian icon, Judith Durham gave voice to a new strand of our identity and helped blaze a trail for a new generation of Aussie artists.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 6, 2022
Her kindness will be missed by many, the anthems she gave to our nation will never be forgotten.
Despite disbanding over five decades ago, Durham would reunite regularly with her Seekers bandmates over the years, reuniting on studio recordings and world tours. The band continued to perform their beloved songs until Durham’s retirement in 2019. Let’s remember those classic Aussie hits in her honour.
The Seekers | ‘I’ll Never Find Another You’
The Seekers | ‘I Am Australian’
The Seekers | ‘Georgy Girl’
Durham died in palliative care in Melbourne after complications from chronic lung disease. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed that The Seekers lead singer will be honoured at a state funeral. RIP.
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