Judith Durham, lead singer of The Seekers, dies at 79

August 10, 2022

, known as the lead singer of Australian band, died in Melbourne on Friday, August 5, from complications of , a lung disease. She was 79.

Durham first began singing with bands while studying  at the. She joined The Seekers, a male folk trio, in 1963. They went on to become the first Australian band to have chart successes in the US and UK, including "", "", "", "", and "." She left for a solo career in 1968, returning from 1993 onward. They were inducted into the in 2014.

Her three bandmates, , and jointly paid tribute to Durham as "our treasured lifelong friend and shining star." Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese called her "a national treasure and an Australian icon." The Victoria state government has announced that Durham will receive a.

Durham was married to British pianist Ron Edgeworth from 1969 until his death from in 1994. Her older sister Beverly Sheehan, a jazz singer, survives her.