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Judith Durham, an Australian folk singer who rose to prominence in 1962 as the lead vocalist for The Seekers, has died. She was 79 years old.
Musicoast Pty. Ltd. and Universal Music Australia confirmed her death on Friday via a joint statement issued on The Seeker’s official Facebook page.
Durham, born Judith Mavis Cock on July 3, 1943 in Melbourne, began her professional singing career at the age of 18 after asking the leader of the Melbourne University Jazz Band if she could join the group. She joined The Seekers, a band that catapulted her to international stardom, in 1962.
The folk music trio has sold more than 50 million records worldwide, with singles including “I’ll Never Find Another You,” “I Am Australian,” and “Georgy Girl.”
Durham left the group in 1968 to pursue a solo career, releasing several albums until rejoining The Seekers in the 1990s. She married Ron Edgeworth, a British musician, in 1969; unfortunately, he died nearly 30 years later from motor neuron disease.
Durham’s adored sister Beverley Sheehan described the closeness they enjoyed during their lifetime on Friday, adding, “Judith’s passion for life, her continual optimism, creativity, and generosity of spirit were always an inspiration to me.”
After learning of Durham’s death, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to her, calling her “a national treasure and an Australian legend.”
“Judith Durham helped pave the path for a new generation of Australian artists,” he tweeted. “Many will remember her generosity and the music she gave to our country.”
