The Seekers
‘Fab Four Porch Thoughts ‘
Melbourne’s iconic Arts Centre was the ideal venue to celebrate the 50th Birthday of Melbourne’s iconic band The Seekers. Monday (Dec 3) marked exactly 50 years to the day since the four original members sang together as a group.
Yesterday, the Stalls Foyer at Hamer Hall was bursting with music industry icons, journalists, news crews and photographers; as the world’s longest performing band (still with the original lineup) celebrated their Jubilee milestone, taking their place in the history books as the pop phenomenon that put Australia on the international music map.
I was amazed to learn that their journey began in Melbourne after traditional jazz singer Judy Durham started a new day job at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency. On that day in 1962, she met account executive Athol Guy, another budding musician, and he invited her to sit in with his mates Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley, who performed together as The Seekers in a little South Yarra coffee lounge, called Treble Clef.
Before their official Jubilee cake cutting celebrations, guests enjoyed a special tribute video featuring footage and celebrities from around the world who sent congratulatory messages and anecdotal stories – including; Cliff Richard, ONJ, Rolf Harris, Andrew Rieu and The Hollies (and many others) and further wished the success for their National Tour in March 2013.
My Seekers Fact finding mission revealed (among many others):
Australia’s first group ever to reach No 1 on the UK charts with their first three singles
Their hit song, The Carnival Is Over outsold everyone, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in 1965
Georgy Girl (No. 1 hit): first Australian group to reach No 1 on UK and USA charts, and nominated for an Academy Award ‘Best Original Song’
Jointly named ‘Australians Of The Year 1967’
Record holders for Australian television ratings for their 1967 TV spectacular ‘The Seekers Down Under’
Quadruple platinum award recipients for their 1993 ’25 Year Reunion
Celebration’ live in concert video 1994
ARIA Hall Of Fame inductees 1995
With worldwide recognition, a string of music accolades and history making achievements, it’s no wonder that fifty years on, The Seekers are still touching the hearts of fans – some who’ve been with them from the very start – and others, like me, who has happily jump on board along the way.
With the media spotlight on The Seekers, I couldn’t help but to wonder what celebrating fifty years meant to each of our musical icons, many refer to our national treasures. “Bruce, Athol, Judith and Keith, what thoughts in terms of your incredible fifty year journey spring to mind when I simply say, The Seekers?”
FAB FOUR PORCH THOUGHTS
Bruce Woodley
So many memories and highlights whirl around in my head, it’s difficult to short list them but here goes; The first #1, Wembley concert, 200,000 fans at the Music Bowl, Australians of The Year 1967, Royal Command performance, Montreal Expo, more hits, recording at Abbey Road, the US tour, the genius of Tom Springfield, writing with Paul Simon in New York, being at the ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ recording session with Simon and Garfunkel, The Seekers getting kicked out of Kenya, our old Bedford van, living in London in the 60's, Bob Whittaker our friend and photographer, the final breakup of the group, some sadness and regret, coming home, losing my mum Ethel Irene, reforming again in 1993, brilliant concerts, redemption, John Kovac and more tours. It's been a wonderful ride with my dear friends. And it's not over yet.
Athol Guy
My fifty years as an organic ‘Seeker. I often reflect in public presentations over the years, that you could simply not manufacture any aspect of what happened to Judith, Keith, Bruce and myself. During our initial years together, later reunions and now the celebrations of fifty years of our treasure chest of music. So much music and so many careers today are forged from the formulaic mould of perceived ‘Fashionability’ alone – which is an element never to be denied, but often lacking the great creative spark that made the 60s ‘The Music Olympics Of The Millenium!’ How humble and proud I am to look back and reflect on the amazing musical legacy I share with my lifelong friends.
Judith Durham
I am sitting (on my porch) taking a moment of calm because outside there is a whirlwind! That whirlwind is created by the energy of the many people who have worked so tirelessly towards the Seekers 50th Birthday Celebration. It’s been a day full of joy and full of amazement and we’re all still here, the only group that still has its original members after 50 years. Here at the Arts Centre, we are celebrating with stars of the music industry and other VIPs; our day is blessed by so many honoured guests we can hardly believe it. We have a new album out - The Golden Jubilee Album – 50 Tracks For 50 Years - with two brand new tracks never before recorded by us. I sit here thinking of all the wonderful people who have made all this possible and I send my heartfelt thanks to all our fans worldwide, both old and new, who have loved us and supported us whether it be for fifty years or five months. I’d like to sit here dreaming of our wonderful day but I think I must rise from my porch chair and go back to being part of the whirlwind that is creating such a wonderful celebration for us. I send my love to everyone.
Keith Potger
Parents, brother, family, adventure, Judith, Athol, Bruce, optimism, fun, music, friendship, hardship, loneliness, adversity, lyrics, relationships, freedom, love, hate, inequality, bonds, losses, gains, openness, humility, guilt, sadness, poverty, happiness, London, guitars, pride, awards, Melbourne, recordings, Sydney, Perth, advantage, concerts, belief, Colombo, disappointment, lovers, marriage, son, daughter, grandsons, granddaughters, homes, friends, hugs, recognition, success, ambition, wealth, Paris, comfort, stolen, life, praise, warmth, hate, acknowledgement, disempowerment, sacrifice, complexity, simplixity, wandering, wondering, seeking, Buddhism, secularism, comfort, disadvantage, original, indigenous, vote, suspicion, disenfranchisement, conflict, joy, gratitude, sanctuary, sun, renewable, abuse, tumult, war, extremism, deprivation, compassion, unAustralian, vitriol, entertainment, ignorance, water, hunger, greed, trust, death