Judith Durham died last Friday after suffering complications from a long-standing chronic lung disease said Universal Music Australia and Musicoast in a statement, which detailed the singer was moved to Palliative Care on the day of her death.
Her band members, Keith Ptoger, Bruce Woodley and Athol Guy shared a statement calling her a “shining star”.
“Our lives are changed forever losing our treasured lifelong friend. Her struggle was intense and heroic-never complaining of her destiny and fully accepting its conclusion. Her magnificent musical legacy Keith, Bruce and I are so blessed to share.”
Durham was the frontwoman of one of Australia’s most successful music groups in history- The Seekers. They came together in 1963, singing pop folk music and going on to sell over 50 million records worldwide while gaining popularity and chart success in Australia, the UK, and US.
She left The Seekers in 1968 and went on to have a solo singing career- that involved some acting- that lasted several decades before re-joining her bandmembers periodically since the 90s.
Victorian Premiere Daniel Andrews offered the family of the singer a state funeral in which they accepted yesterday.
Her sister, Beverly Sheehan said that all members of The Seekers were able to say their goodbyes and that the state funeral would be a “marvelous recognition” of her sister’s life.
People from across Australia’s entertainment industry paid tribute to who many people are calling an “Australian icon” and “legend”.
Oh this is just so sad 😞
Her beautiful, crystalline voice was the naive but knowing siren song of my childhood
Deepest condolences to her loved ones 🙌🙏😞❤️Judith Durham dead: ‘The Seekers’ singer and legendary Australian music icon, dies aged 79 https://t.co/fZPKZrrBn5
— Magda Szubanski AO (@MagdaSzubanski) August 6, 2022
Judith Durham was the voice of Australia for a long time. The Seekers had hit after hit record across the world. I thought they had great songs and Judith had a great voice. RIP Judith
By the way this was from the early days of the Jane Barnes BandFull video on my FB page pic.twitter.com/Nyh7Y98Li6
— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) August 7, 2022
Even politicians have expressed their sadness over the death of a pioneer of Australia’s music industry.
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.
Her kindness will be missed by many, the anthems she gave to our nation will never be forgotten.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/tanya_plibersek/status/1555849008660488192
