Judith Durham
{{Short description|Australian singer, songwriter and musician (1943–2022)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Judith Durham
| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=AUS|AO|size=100}}
| image = Judith Durham Allan Warren.jpg
| caption = Durham in 1970
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Judith Mavis Cock
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1943|7|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Essendon, Victoria, Australia
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2022|8|5|1943|7|3}}
| death_place = Prahran, Victoria, Australia
| instrument = {{Hlist|Vocals|piano|tambourine}}
| occupation = {{Hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician}}
| years_active = 1961–2022
| label = Columbia, A&M, Pye, EMI, Decca
| associated_acts = {{Hlist|The Seekers|The Hottest Band in Town|The Hot Jazz Duo}}
| website = {{URL|judithdurham.com}}
}}
Judith Mavis Durham {{Postnominals|country=AUS|size=100%|AO}} (née Cock; 3 July 1943 – 5 August 2022) was an Australian singer, songwriter, and musician who became the lead singer of the Australian folk music group the Seekers in 1962.
The group became the first Australian pop music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States and have sold over 50 million records worldwide. Durham left the group in mid-1968 to pursue her solo career. In 1993, she began to make sporadic recordings and performances with the Seekers, though she remained primarily a solo performer. On 1 July 2015, during the annual Victoria Day celebrations, she was named Victorian of the Year for her services to music and a range of charities.
Early life
Durham was born Judith Mavis Cock on 3 July 1943 in Essendon, Victoria, to William Alexander Cock, a navigator and World War II pathfinder, and his wife, Hazel (née Durham).{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/a-seeker-who-found-international-fame-20210512-p57r7k.html |last1=Veitch |first1=Harriet |title=Judith Durham: A Seeker who found international fame |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=6 August 2022 |language=en |access-date=6 August 2022 |archive-date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806083652/https://www.smh.com.au/national/a-seeker-who-found-international-fame-20210512-p57r7k.html |url-status=live }} From her birth until 1949, she lived on Mount Alexander Road, Essendon.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-06 |title=Judith Durham forged an untrodden path for Australian singers |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/judith-durham-forged-an-untrodden-path-for-australian-singers/news-story/e511cbd85f3079f181864cdc303f7feb |website=The Australian}} She spent summer holidays at her family's weatherboard house (which since has been demolished) on the west side of Durham Place in Rosebud.Information from Judith emailed by her manager, Graham Simpson,9 September 2011, 11:19 AM. Hi ---, Judith has asked me to write specifically to you to try to clarify your query about "Emily Durham's house". She does not remember now whether the house was demolished at the time Durham Place was subdivided, but her recollection of the century-old house is a weatherboard with a front verandah standing in the middle of a large block between the beach and the main road. etc. {{better source needed|date=August 2022}}
Her father accepted work in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1949. From early 1950, the family lived in Taroona, a suburb of Hobart, where Durham attended the Fahan School before moving back to Melbourne, residing in Georgian Court, Balwyn, in 1956. She was educated at Ruyton Girls' School Kew and then enrolled at RMIT.{{cite encyclopedia |editor=Suzannah Pearce |encyclopaedia=Who's Who in Australia Live! |title=Durham Judith Mavis |date=17 November 2006 |publisher=Crown Content Pty Ltd |location=North Melbourne, Vic}}
Durham at first planned to be a pianist and gained the qualification of Associate in Music, Australia (AMusA), in classical piano at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium. She had some professional engagements playing piano, had classical vocal training as a soprano, and performed blues, gospel, and jazz pieces.{{cite news |last1=Cartwright |first1=Garth |title=Judith Durham obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/aug/08/judith-durham-obituary|access-date=28 June 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=8 August 2022}} Her singing career began one night at the age of 18 when she asked Nicholas Ribush, leader of the Melbourne University Jazz Band, at the Memphis Jazz Club in Malvern, whether she could sing with the band. In 1963, she began performing at the same club with Frank Traynor's Jazz Preachers, using her mother's maiden name of Durham. In that year she also recorded her first EP, Judy Durham, with Frank Traynor's Jazz Preachers for W&G Records.{{cite web |author=Malt Creative |url=http://www.judithdurham.com/ |title=Welcome to Judith Durham |publisher=Judith Durham |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-date=24 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724161629/http://www.judithdurham.com/ |url-status=live }}
The Seekers
{{Main|The Seekers}}
The Seekers consisted of Durham, Athol Guy, Bruce Woodley, and Keith Potger, an ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corp.) radio producer. Through Potger's position the three were able to make a demo tape in their spare time. This was given to W&G Records, which wanted another sample of Durham's voice before agreeing to record a Jazz Preachers' album. W&G instead signed the Seekers for an album, Introducing the Seekers, in 1963. Durham, however, recorded two other songs with the Jazz Preachers, "Muddy Water" (which appeared on their album Jazz from the Pulpit) and "Trombone Frankie" (an adapted version of Bessie Smith's "Trombone Cholly").{{cite web|url=https://www.popsike.com/JAZZ-Preachers-LP-60s-Oz-Judith-Durham-SEEKERS-v-Rare/4874934194.html|access-date=9 August 2022|title=Popsike.com|archive-date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809235945/https://www.popsike.com/JAZZ-Preachers-LP-60s-Oz-Judith-Durham-SEEKERS-v-Rare/4874934194.html|url-status=live}}
In early 1964, the Seekers sailed to the United Kingdom on SS Fairsky on which the group provided the musical entertainment. Originally, they had planned to return after ten weeks, but they received a steady stream of bookings through the Grade Agency because they had sent the agency a copy of their first album.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/aug/08/judith-durham-obituary|title=Judith Durham obituary|journal=The Guardian|date=8 August 2022|access-date=9 August 2022}} On 4 November 1964 at EMI's Abbey Road Studios, the Seekers recorded "I'll Never Find Another You", written and produced by Tom Springfield. In February 1965, the song reached number one in the UK and Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/11597/seekers/|access-date=9 August 2022|title=Official UK Chart|website=Official Charts |archive-date=25 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425083908/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/11597/seekers/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=David Kent's "Australian Chart Book 1970-1992" |access-date=9 August 2022 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |url-status=live }} The group had further Top 10 hits with "A World of Our Own," "Morningtown Ride," and "Someday, One Day."{{cite news|journal=The Times|date=9 August 2022|page=45|title=Obituary Judith Durham}} "Georgy Girl" reached number two (Billboard chart) and number one (Cashbox chart) in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.theseekers.com.au/about-us/fact-file|access-date=9 August 2022|title=The Seekers Official Web-site|archive-date=7 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807093800/https://www.theseekers.com.au/about-us/fact-file|url-status=live}} "The Carnival Is Over" is still one of the top 50 best-selling singles in the UK.
On 12 March 1967, the Seekers set an official all-time Australian record when more than 200,000 people (nearly one tenth of the city's entire population at that time) flocked to their performance at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia. Their TV special The Seekers Down Under scored the biggest TV audience ever (with a 67 rating), and early in 1968 they were all awarded the nation's top honour as "Australians of the Year 1967."{{cite web |url=http://judithdurham.com/about/judith-durham/ |title=About Judith Durham|publisher=Judith Durham |access-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923081348/http://judithdurham.com/about/judith-durham/ |archive-date=23 September 2016 |url-status=dead}} On a tour of New Zealand in February 1968, Durham advised the group that she was leaving the Seekers,{{cite web |title=The Judith Durham Story |url=http://www.judithdurham.org.uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619125157/http://www.judithdurham.org.uk/ |archive-date=19 June 2016 |access-date=11 September 2016 |publisher=Judith Durham}} to pursue a solo career. Their last concert before Durham left the band was on a live BBC production on 7 July, where they performed many of their all-time hits.{{Citation |title=Farewell the Seekers |type=Documentary, Music |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0229380/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |others=Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Keith Potger |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)}}
Solo career
File:Judith Durham.png, 1970]]
Durham returned to Australia in August 1968, and her first solo television special, An Evening with Judith Durham, screened on the Nine Network in September. During her solo career, she released albums titled For Christmas with Love, Gift of Song and Climb Ev'ry Mountain. In 1970, she made the television special Meet Judith Durham in London, ending with her rendition of "When You Come to the End of a Perfect Day" by Carrie Jacobs-Bond (1862–1946).Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/T4N4NAgpqXU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131019092449/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4N4NAgpqXU Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4N4NAgpqXU |title=When you come to the end of a perfect day |first=Judith |last=Durham |place=London |year=1970 |newspaper=Meet Judith Durham [television special]|access-date=3 April 2011}}{{cbignore}} Song starts at 44 seconds into the video.
In 1975, Durham starred in an acting and singing role as Sarah Simmonds, a burlesque type performer in "The Golden Girl", an episode of the Australian television series Cash and Co. Set in the 1800s Australian goldfields, the episode also featured Durham's husband, Ron Edgeworth, on piano. She performed six songs; "Oh Susanna", "When Starlight Fades", "Maggie Mae", "Rock of Ages", "There's No Place Like Home" and "The Lord Is My Shepherd".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.filmink.com.au/australian-singers-turned-actors/ |title=Australian Singers Turned Actors |first=Stephen |last=Vagg |magazine=Filmink |date=14 July 2019 |access-date=10 January 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720033117/https://www.filmink.com.au/australian-singers-turned-actors/ |url-status=live }}
Durham staged a series of concerts at The Troubadour, Melbourne in 1987 with Edgeworth, performing originals the two had written.{{Cite news |last=Wilmoth |first=Peter |date=3 April 1987 |title=Durham - The eternal seeker |pages=11 |work=The Age}} They returned again the following year.{{Cite news |date=18 May 1988 |title=That's Entertainment |pages=36 |work=The Age}}
In January 1992, Durham released "Australia Land of Today" which peaked at number 124 on the ARIA charts.{{cite web|url= https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2023/02/week-commencing-10-february-1992.html |title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 10 February1992 |website=Bubbling Down Under|access-date=11 February 2023}}"
In 2003, Durham toured the UK in "The Diamond Tour" celebrating her 60th birthday. The tour included the Royal Festival Hall{{Cite web |last=Wonfor |first=Sam |date=2003-06-15 |title=Judith's back - but we can't promise it'll snow |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/judiths-back---cant-promise-1655346 |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=ChronicleLive |language=en}} and a CD and DVD of the concert was issued.{{Cite web |title=Judith Durham - Diamond Night |url=http://www.leadingedgemusic.com.au/dvd/diamond-night |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=Leading Edge Music |language=en |archive-date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806192903/http://www.leadingedgemusic.com.au/dvd/diamond-night |url-status=dead }}
In 2006, Durham started modernising the music and phrases of "Advance Australia Fair". the Australian National Anthem; the Aboriginal singer/songwriter Kutcha Edwards also contributed lyrics,{{Cite web |date=6 January 2021 |title=Theatre group performs new version of Australian anthem |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/theatre-group-performs-new-version-of-australian-anthem/video/5aaefa017de939306630fa653a2487f6 |access-date=13 August 2021 |website=news.com.au}} Durham first performed it in May 2009 at Federation Hall, St Kilda Road.{{cite web |url=http://www.arts.shoalhaven.net.au/advance_aust_fair_lyric-NEW.pdf |title=Advance Australian Fair new lyrics |publisher=Shoalhaven |date=May 2009 |access-date=4 November 2016 |archive-date=17 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217204427/http://www.arts.shoalhaven.net.au/advance_aust_fair_lyric-NEW.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/judith-durhams-national-anthem/3140196 |title=Judith Durham's national anthem |publisher=ABC |date=15 May 2009 |access-date=4 November 2016 |archive-date=4 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104205309/http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/judith-durhams-national-anthem/3140196 |url-status=live }} It was released as a CD single.
Durham recorded The Australian Cities Suite album with all proceeds to go to the charitable sector. The album was released in October 2008. This project was to benefit charities working with the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund, including Orchestra Victoria and the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia{{Cite web |date=2012-04-20 |title=Judith Durham heads to Canberra |url=https://citynews.com.au/2012/judith-durham-heads-to-canberra/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=Canberra CityNews |language=en-AU}} (Durham was national patron).{{Cite news |date=2022-08-06 |title='Our treasured lifelong friend': The Seekers' Judith Durham is remembered as a 'shining star' |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-07/tributes-flow-for-the-seekers-singer-judith-durham-after-death-/8520384 |access-date=2022-08-12}}
On 13 February 2009, Durham made a surprise return to the Myer Music Bowl when she performed the closing number at the RocKwiz Salutes the Bowl – Sidney Myer Music Bowl 50th Anniversary with "The Carnival Is Over". On 23 May 2009, she performed a one-hour 'a cappella' concert in Melbourne as a launch for her album Up Close and Personal.{{Cite web |url=http://www.judithdurham.com/news/120344_01.html |title=A Global First? A Cappella Solo Recitals – Judith's First Melbourne Concerts In 8 Years |date=7 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507194311/http://www.judithdurham.com/news/120344_01.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 May 2009}}
In October 2011, Durham signed an exclusive international deal with Decca Records. George Ash, president of Universal Music Australasia, said that "It is an honour to have Judith Durham join Decca's wonderful roster of artists. When you think of the legends that have graced the Decca Records catalogue it is the perfect home to welcome Judith to, and we couldn't be more excited to work with Judith on not only her new recordings but her incredible catalogue as well."{{cite web |url=http://judithdurham.com/judith-signed-to-exclusive-international-deal/ |title=Judith Signed to Exclusive International Deal |publisher=Judith Durham |date=11 October 2011 |access-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314001643/http://judithdurham.com/judith-signed-to-exclusive-international-deal/ |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}
In June 2018, to celebrate Durham's 75th birthday, a collection of 14 previously unreleased songs was released on the album So Much More.{{cite web |url=https://www.2gb.com/judith-durham-celebrates-her-75th-birthday-by-releasing-a-new-album/ |title=Judith Durham celebrates her 75th birthday by releasing a new album |publisher=2GB |date=3 July 2018 |access-date=3 July 2018 |archive-date=2 February 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200202224508/https://www.2gb.com/judith-durham-celebrates-her-75th-birthday-by-releasing-a-new-album/ |url-status=live }}
Personal life
On 21 November 1969, Durham married her musical director, British pianist Ron Edgeworth,{{cite web |url=http://www.telinco.com/seekers/Ron.htm |title=Body |publisher=Telinco.com |access-date=10 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201042122/http://www.telinco.com/Seekers/Ron.htm |archive-date=1 December 2012}} at Scots' Church in Melbourne. Edgeworth had been with a group, the Trebletones, on the same tour. They chose not to have children. Durham and her husband were vegetarian; she became a vegan after 2015.{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2019 |title=Judith Durham The Seekers |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/judith-durham-on-going-vegan-her-legacy-and-why-she-wont-ever-go-back-on-tour-again/news-story/c597e8fd817c20021c3ed10b463ca25e |website=Herald Sun}} She also avoided alcohol and caffeine.{{Cite news |title=Judith Durham obituary |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/judith-durham-obituary-0npcw7p79 |access-date=2022-08-13 |issn=0140-0460}}
They lived in the UK and Switzerland until the mid-1980s when they bought property in Nambour, Queensland. In 1990, Durham, Edgeworth and their tour manager, Peter Summers, were involved in a car accident on the Calder Freeway. The driver of the other car died at the scene and Durham sustained a fractured wrist and leg. The response from her fans led to Durham’s considering getting back together with the other members of the Seekers for a silver jubilee show. During this reunion Edgeworth was diagnosed with motor neurone disease also known as ALS. He died from the disease on 10 December 1994 with Durham by his side.{{sfn|Simpson|2003}}
In the late 1990s, Durham was stalked by a former president of a Judith Durham fan club,{{cite news |url=http://intenet-internetblog57.blogspot.com/2012/03/vic-seekers-fan-appeals-against.html |title=Seekers fan appeals against stalking conviction |first=Stuart |last=Walsh |work=AAP General News (Australia) |date=8 December 1998 |via=internetblog57.blogspot.com |access-date=2 January 2020 |archive-date=2 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102133753/http://intenet-internetblog57.blogspot.com/2012/03/vic-seekers-fan-appeals-against.html |url-status=live }} a woman who sent her over 40 doormats, as an admonishment for perceived ingratitude, and numerous abusive faxes, one promising another doormat delivery worth over $45,000. The woman was subsequently prosecuted,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46189733/the-age/ |title=Durham's stalker loses appeal |last=Cauchi |first=Stephen |date=12 September 1998 |newspaper=The Age |place=Melbourne |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=8 August 2022 |archive-date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808094350/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46189733/the-age/ |url-status=live }} and later imprisoned for other serial crimes.{{cite news |url=https://www.examiner.com.au/story/644362/school-raider-gets-35-years/ |title=School raider gets 3.5 years |first=Melanie |last=Alcock |newspaper=The Examiner |place=Launceston, Tasmania |date=5 October 1999 |access-date=2 January 2020 |archive-date=2 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102133455/https://www.examiner.com.au/story/644362/school-raider-gets-35-years/ |url-status=live }}
In 2000, Durham broke her hip and was unable to sing "The Carnival Is Over" at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney with the Seekers. However, she sang it from a wheelchair at the 2000 Paralympics shortly thereafter.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/australia-culture-blog/2014/mar/18/seekers-the-carnival-is-over-australian-anthems |title=Australian anthems: the Seekers – The Carnival is Over |first=Everett |last=True |date=18 March 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |language=en-GB |access-date=6 August 2022 |archive-date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806084605/https://www.theguardian.com/music/australia-culture-blog/2014/mar/18/seekers-the-carnival-is-over-australian-anthems |url-status=live }}
In May 2013, during the Seekers' golden jubilee tour, Durham suffered a stroke that diminished her ability to read and write both visual language and musical scores. During her convalescence, she made progress to rebuild those skills. Her singing ability was not affected by the stroke.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-03/durham-still-singing-after-brain-haemorrhage/4796554 |title=Seekers singer Judith Durham learns to read and write after brain hemorrhage |work=ABC News |location=Sydney |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Company |date=3 July 2013 |access-date=29 July 2013 |archive-date=2 February 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200202224853/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-03/durham-still-singing-after-brain-haemorrhage/4796554 |url-status=live }}
Beliefs
Durham was a devout Christian who was hesitant about secular music.{{cite web | url=https://brandywinebooks.net/?p=17134 | title=There'll never be another Judith Durham… | date=8 August 2022 }} Durham frequently sang Gospel and Jazz,{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AFvj_9h1q8 | title=The Seekers - Mourn you Mourners | website=YouTube | date=14 October 2024 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qyrfGwNx2w | title=Judith Durham - Pearly Gates | website=YouTube | date=10 March 2014 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaIo_nOnm6g | title=The Seekers - Down by the Riverside - Music Video - RARE Long Audio Version | website=YouTube | date=30 September 2024 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glk49T91odw | title=The Seekers - This Train | website=YouTube | date=5 November 2013 }} which reflected this trait. One of Durham's songs, "My Faith", described how her faith had lit her life, had made her see "the beauty in everything around her, and had filled her heart with beauty and grace".{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_mD1fGFvEU | title=Judith Durham - My Faith, 1968 Stereo | website=YouTube | date=8 August 2022 }} Another fierce and passionate declaration of faith was the powerful song, "Mourn you Mourners" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AFvj_9h1q8 She also followed other teachings that provided more moral and ethical framework for the way she lived.{{cite web | url=https://www.judithdurham.com/faqs | title=FAQ's }} In the Salvation Army War Cry magazine of November 12, 2016, she revealed more information on her beliefs and spirituality, and added that her "love songs were for the Lord."
"Judith describes herself as a deeply spiritual person with a proud belief in the love of God and Jesus Christ, and feels that many of the songs of her long career reflect that reality." The spirituality of the lyrics crosses over from being not just love songs, but love songs for the Lord-songs like "I'll Never find Another You", "Walk with Me" and many others, Judith tells Warcry." Other songs on her list also include "Colours of My Life", " Nobody But You", "Calling Me Home", and "There He Is." "https://www.facebook.com/judithdurhamofficial/photos/thankyou-julie-houghton-for-this-wonderful-feature-on-judith-in-the-salvation-ar/1313060258714738/?_rdr
On December 22, 2016, Durham posted a message on her Official Facebook page. It gave a full explanation of her concept of God, explained to her followers.
Part of it includes:
“When I was just a child, growing up with dear Mum and Dad and sister Beverley, we were wisely taught to say our prayers each night, feeling protected and loved:
"...God Bless Mummy and Daddy and Judy and Beverley
And Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma Cock
I never questioned any of it. For me, to this day, God and the Lord are real and I feel safe and nurtured by that ever-present reality…..” https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1366558630031567&set=a.302711233082984
She also posted: "A couple of years later, after we moved to Hobart, we started going to "Sunday School" and
I learned to sing. "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so". Through the years I have a deeper spiritual understanding. There is a multi cultural, global truth for so many billions of loving souls. We all love the Lord God and God Incarnate according to many different pathways all over the world, and that the spirit of Christmas celebrations always bring that same joyous message. We were taught from our early age to honour our father and mother, and to live in love. peace and humility in the spirit of giving.
Let us all be thankful for the food we eat this Christmas and all the blessings showered upon us everyday."
Durham felt that the values that were instilled into her since her youth were still imprinted in her to the present. Durham also stated that she had a very wide perception, and that she had begun feeling interested in esoteric things.{{cite web | url=https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/entertainment/where-are-they-now-judith-durham | title=Where are they now? Judith Durham }}
Health and Death
Durham was born with asthma and at age four caught measles, which left her with a life-long chronic lung disease, bronchiectasis.{{cite news|work = Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=9 August 2022|title=Durham's voice stays pure despite the blows|date=22 April 2010|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/durhams-voice-stays-pure-despite-the-blows-20100421-szzp.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809145953/https://www.smh.com.au/national/durhams-voice-stays-pure-despite-the-blows-20100421-szzp.html|archive-date=9 August 2022}} Durham died from the disease at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne on 5 August 2022, at age 79.{{cite news |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/culture/music/judith-durham-lead-singer-of-the-seekers-dies-aged-79-20220806-p5b7t1.html |title=Judith Durham, lead singer of The Seekers, dies aged 79 |last1=Graham |first1=Jackson |access-date=6 August 2022 |work=WA Today |date=6 August 2022 |language=en |archive-date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806083210/https://www.watoday.com.au/culture/music/judith-durham-lead-singer-of-the-seekers-dies-aged-79-20220806-p5b7t1.html |url-status=live }} She was given a state memorial service by the state of Victoria on 6 September 2022 at Hamer Hall.{{cite web |url=https://7news.com.au/entertainment/judith-durham-to-be-farewelled-in-victorian-state-memorial-at-hamer-hall-c-8017011|title=Details of Judith Durham's state memorial released|work=7 News Australia |date=2 September 2022 |access-date=2 September 2022 }} Durham is interred with her husband, Ron Edgeworth, at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale.
Discography
= The Seekers =
{{Main|The Seekers discography}}
= Solo =
== Studio albums ==
=Live albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of live albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;"| Certification |
| scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | AUS ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | NZ ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | UK |
|---|
| scope="row"| The Hot Jazz Duo (with Ron Edgeworth)
|
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| 25 Year Reunion Celebration (with The Seekers)
|
| 9 || 22 || 93 | |
| scope="row"| 1968 BBC Farewell Spectacular (with The Seekers)
|
| 12 || — || — | |
| scope="row"| Live in Concert (Melbourne Welsh Male Choir with Judith Durham)
|
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| Live in London
|
| — || 16 || — | |
=Compilation albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;"| Certification |
| scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | AUS ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | NZ ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | UK |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australia's Own Judith Durham
|
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| Here Am I
|
| {{n/a}} || — || — | |
| scope="row"| The Silver Jubilee Album (with The Seekers)
|
| 3 || 3 || {{n/a}} | |
| scope="row"| A Carnival of Hits (with The Seekers)
|
| {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || 7 | |
| scope="row"| Colours of My Life
|
| 40 || — || — | |
| scope="row"| The Platinum Album
|
| 36 || — || — | |
| scope="row"| So Much More
|
| 46 || — || — | |
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected details ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:13em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:20em;"| Details |
| scope="row"| Judy Durham (with Frank Traynor's Jazz Preachers) |
|
|---|
=Charting singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | AUS ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | UK |
|---|
| scope="row"| "The Olive Tree"
| 1967 | — || 33 |
| scope="row"| "A World of Our Own" (with the Seekers)
| rowspan="2"| 1994 | — || 76 |
| scope="row"| "Georgy Girl" (with the Seekers)
| — || 79 |
| scope="row"| "I Am Australian" (with Russell Hitchcock and Mandawuy Yunupingu)
| 1997 | 17 || — |
Honours and awards
=ARIA Music Awards=
The ARIA Music Awards are a set of annual ceremonies presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987. At the 2022 ARIA Music Awards a special tribute in her honour will have "I'll Never Find Another You" performed by Casey Donovan and "The Carnival Is Over" by Dami Im.{{cite web | url=https://www.aria.com.au/awards/news/an-epic-set-of-performers-announced-for-the-2022-aria-awards | title=An Epic Set of Performers Announced for the 2022 ARIA Awards | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | date=16 November 2022 | access-date=22 November 2022 }}
{{awards table}}
|-
|1995ARIA Hall of Fame, retrieved 15 February 2020. || Judith Durham (and the Seekers) || Hall of Fame || {{yes2|Inducted}}
|-
{{end}}
= APRA Awards =
These annual awards were established by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) in 1982 to honour the achievements of songwriters and music composers and to recognise their song writing skills, sales and airplay performance, by its members annually.{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920230857/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2010 }}
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2013{{cite web |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/the-seekers-to-receive-apras-ted-albert-honour/7IX__uHg4-I/29-05-13/ |title=The Seekers To Receive APRA's Ted Albert Honour |date=30 May 2013 |work=The Music.com |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215213832/https://themusic.com.au/news/the-seekers-to-receive-apras-ted-albert-honour/7IX__uHg4-I/29-05-13/ |url-status=live }} || Judith Durham (and the Seekers) || Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music || {{yes2|awarded}}
|-
{{end}}
=Australian Women in Music Awards=
The Australian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018.
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2019{{cite web |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/the-seekers-judith-durham-to-join-the-australian-women-in-music-honour-roll/eUdhbWxvbpE/28-09-19/ |title=The Seekers' Judith Durham To Join The Aust Women In Music Awards Honour Roll |date=28 September 2019 |work=The Music.com |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215214950/https://themusic.com.au/news/the-seekers-judith-durham-to-join-the-australian-women-in-music-honour-roll/eUdhbWxvbpE/28-09-19/ |url-status=live }}
| Judith Durham
| AWMA Honour Roll
| {{yes2|inducted}}
{{end}}
=Music Victoria Awards=
The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2015{{cite web|url=https://www.musicvictoria.com.au/news/the-age-music-victoria-awards-2015-10th-edition|title=The Age Music Victoria Awards 2015 10th Edition|website=Music Victoria|date=18 September 2015|accessdate=13 August 2020}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} || Judith Durham (and the Seekers) || Hall of Fame || {{yes2|inductee}}
|-
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
=Sources=
- {{cite book|last=Simpson|first=Graham|title=Colours of My Life: The Judith Durham Story|publisher=Random House Australia|year=2003|isbn=1-85227-038-1}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikinews|Judith Durham, lead singer of The Seekers, dies at 79}}
- [http://judithdurham.com Official website]
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20051105050659/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/d/durhamjudith.html Discography]}}
- {{discogs artist|Judith Durham}}
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20161002132508/http://www.milesago.com/artists/seekers.htm The Seekers at the Milesago website]}}
- {{IMDb name|0244084|Judith Durham}}
{{Judith Durham}}
{{The Seekers}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Durham, Judith}}
Category:20th-century Australian pianists
Category:20th-century Australian women singers
Category:21st-century Australian pianists
Category:Australian expatriates in Switzerland
Category:Australian expatriates in England
Category:Australian jazz singers
Category:Australian jazz pianists
Category:Australian women jazz pianists
Category:Australian women pop singers
Category:Australian women singer-songwriters
Category:Columbia Records artists
Category:Deaths from lung disease
Category:Decca Records artists
Category:Officers of the Order of Australia
Category:People educated at Ruyton Girls' School
Category:People from Essendon, Victoria
Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia
Category:RMIT University alumni
Category:Singers from Melbourne
Category:University of Melbourne alumni
Category:20th-century Australian women pianists
Category:21st-century Australian women pianists