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Judith Durham

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Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox musical artist

Judith Mavis Durham Template:Postnominals (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 lifeEdit

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).<ref name="SMH-Obit">Template:Cite news</ref> From her birth until 1949, she lived on Mount Alexander Road, Essendon.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She spent summer holidays at her family's weatherboard house (which since has been demolished) on the west side of Durham Place in Rosebud.<ref>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. </ref>Template:Better source needed

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.<ref name="Whoswho">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>

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.<ref name= creative /> She had some professional engagements playing piano, had classical vocal training as a soprano, and performed blues, gospel, and jazz pieces.<ref name= creative /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name= creative>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The SeekersEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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").<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name = "Official UK Chart">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Kent">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The group had further Top 10 hits with "A World of Our Own," "Morningtown Ride," and "Someday, One Day."<ref name = "Official UK Chart"/><ref name ="Times Obituary">Template:Cite news</ref> "Georgy Girl" reached number two (Billboard chart) and number one (Cashbox chart) in the United States.<ref name="Seekers Official Web-site">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "The Carnival Is Over" is still one of the top 50 best-selling singles in the UK.<ref name="Seekers Official Web-site"/>

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."<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On a tour of New Zealand in February 1968, Durham advised the group that she was leaving the Seekers,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

Solo careerEdit

File:Judith Durham.png
Promotional photo for Durham's solo album Gift of Song, 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).<ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore Song starts at 44 seconds into the video.</ref>

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".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Durham staged a series of concerts at The Troubadour, Melbourne in 1987 with Edgeworth, performing originals the two had written.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They returned again the following year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In January 1992, Durham released "Australia Land of Today" which peaked at number 124 on the ARIA charts.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>"

In 2003, Durham toured the UK in "The Diamond Tour" celebrating her 60th birthday. The tour included the Royal Festival Hall<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and a CD and DVD of the concert was issued.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Durham first performed it in May 2009 at Federation Hall, St Kilda Road.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (Durham was national patron).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In June 2018, to celebrate Durham's 75th birthday, a collection of 14 previously unreleased songs was released on the album So Much More.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal lifeEdit

On 21 November 1969, Durham married her musical director, British pianist Ron Edgeworth,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> at Scots' Church in Melbourne. Edgeworth had been with a group, the Trebletones, on the same tour. They chose not to have children.<ref name="Times Obituary"/> Durham and her husband were vegetarian; she became a vegan after 2015.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She also avoided alcohol and caffeine.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.Template:Sfn

In the late 1990s, Durham was stalked by a former president of a Judith Durham fan club,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=":1" /> The woman was subsequently prosecuted,<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref> and later imprisoned for other serial crimes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

BeliefsEdit

Durham was a devout Christian who was hesitant about secular music.<ref name="brandywinebooks.net">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Durham frequently sang Gospel and Jazz,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which reflected this trait.<ref name="brandywinebooks.net"/> 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".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Another fierce and passionate declaration of faith was the powerful song, "Mourn you Mourners" <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AFvj_9h1q8</ref> She also followed other teachings that provided more moral and ethical framework for the way she lived.<ref name="FAQ's">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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,<ref name="FAQ's"/> 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." "<ref>https://www.facebook.com/judithdurhamofficial/photos/thankyou-julie-houghton-for-this-wonderful-feature-on-judith-in-the-salvation-ar/1313060258714738/?_rdr</ref>

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…..” <ref name="facebook.com">https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1366558630031567&set=a.302711233082984</ref>

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."<ref name="facebook.com"/>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Health and DeathEdit

Durham was born with asthma and at age four caught measles, which left her with a life-long chronic lung disease, bronchiectasis.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Durham died from the disease at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne on 5 August 2022, at age 79.<ref name="watoday">Template:Cite news</ref> She was given a state memorial service by the state of Victoria on 6 September 2022 at Hamer Hall.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Durham is interred with her husband, Ron Edgeworth, at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale.

DiscographyEdit

The SeekersEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

SoloEdit

Studio albumsEdit

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
<ref name="aus">Australian Albums Chart peak positions:
  • Top 50 since 1988: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
 CitationClass=web

}}

  • for The Australian Cities Suite: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
 CitationClass=web

}}Template:Cbignore</ref>

NZ
<ref name="nz">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation 		CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

UK
<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="UK1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation 		CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

For Christmas with Love
  • Released: November 1968
  • Label: Goodyear, Columbia
 Template:N/a — —
Gift of Song
  • Released: 1970
  • Label: A&M Records
 — — —
Climb Ev'ry Mountain
  • Released: 1971
  • Label: A&M Records
 44 — —
Judith Durham and The Hottest Band in Town
  • Released: June 1974
  • Label: Pye Records
 — — —
Judith Durham and The Hottest Band in Town Volume 2
  • Released: September 1974
  • Label: Pye Records
 — — —
Let Me Find Love
  • Released: April 1994
  • Label: EMI Records
  • Note: Re-released as Hold On to Your Dream in 2000
 8 — —
Mona Lisas
  • Released: March 1996
  • Label: EMI Records
  • Note: Re-released as Always There in 1997<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
 CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

— — 46
Future Road (with The Seekers)
  • Released: October 1997
  • Label: EMI Records
 4 13 —
The Australian Cities Suite
  • Released: October 2008
  • Label: Musicoat
 81 — —
Up Close and Personal
  • Released: May 2009
  • Label: Musicoat
  • Note: Re-released as An Acappella Experience in 2016
 — — —
Epiphany
  • Released: October 2011
  • Label: Decca, UMA
 — — —
It's Christmas Time
  • Released: November 2013
  • Label: Decca, UMA
 — — —

Live albumsEdit

List of live albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certification
AUS
<ref name="aus"/> 		NZ
<ref name="nz"/> 		UK
<ref name="UK1"/>
The Hot Jazz Duo (with Ron Edgeworth)
  • Released: April 1979
  • Label:
 — — —
25 Year Reunion Celebration (with The Seekers)
  • Released: November 1993
  • Label: EMI Music
 9 22 93
  • ARIA: Platinum<ref name="Ryan"/>
1968 BBC Farewell Spectacular (with The Seekers)
  • Released: November 1999
  • Label: Mushroom
 12 — —
  • ARIA: Gold<ref name="Ryan"/>
Live in Concert (Melbourne Welsh Male Choir with Judith Durham)
  • Released: September 2002
 — — —
Live in London
  • Released: October 2014
  • Label: Decca, UMA
 — 16 —

Compilation albumsEdit

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certification
AUS
<ref name="aus"/> 		NZ
<ref name="nz"/> 		UK
<ref name="UK1"/>
Australia's Own Judith Durham
  • Released: 1971 (Australian release)
  • Label: Summit Records Australia
 — — —
Here Am I
  • Released: 1972 (international release))
  • Label: A&M Records
 Template:N/a — —
The Silver Jubilee Album (with The Seekers)
  • Released: March 1993
  • Label: EMI Records
 3 3 Template:N/a
A Carnival of Hits (with The Seekers)
  • Released: April 1994
  • Label: EMI Records
 Template:N/a Template:N/a 7
Colours of My Life
  • Released: November 2011
  • Label: Decca, UMA
 40 — —
The Platinum Album
  • Released: July 2013
  • Label: Decca, UMA
 36 — —
So Much More
  • Released: 29 June 2018
  • Label: Decca, UMA
 46 — —

Extended playsEdit

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details
Judy Durham
(with Frank Traynor's Jazz Preachers)
  • Released: 1963<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
 CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Charting singlesEdit

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions
AUS
<ref name="aus"/> 		UK
<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/><ref name="Official Charts Judith Durham">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation 		CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

"The Olive Tree" 1967 — 33
"A World of Our Own" (with the Seekers) 1994 — 76
"Georgy Girl" (with the Seekers) — 79
"I Am Australian" (with Russell Hitchcock and Mandawuy Yunupingu) 1997 17 —

Honours and awardsEdit

ARIA Music AwardsEdit

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.<ref name="Performers 2022">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:Awards table |- |1995<ref>ARIA Hall of Fame, retrieved 15 February 2020.</ref> || Judith Durham (and the Seekers) || Hall of Fame || Template:Yes2 |-

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APRA AwardsEdit

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.<ref name="APRA History">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:Awards table |- | 2013<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Judith Durham (and the Seekers) || Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music || Template:Yes2 |-

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Australian Women in Music AwardsEdit

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.

Template:Awards table |- | 2019<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> | Judith Durham | AWMA Honour Roll | Template:Yes2

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Music Victoria AwardsEdit

The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.

Template:Awards table |- | 2015<ref name="10th">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref> || Judith Durham (and the Seekers) || Hall of Fame || Template:Yes2 |-

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ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

SourcesEdit

External linksEdit

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