Recent News

Breaking News - Seekers to perform again in 2010!

From Melbourne's Herald Sun:

Seekers to re-form thanks to Dutch master

  • Rebekah Devlin     From: Herald Sun     June 21, 2010 12:00AM

They have a combined age of 272, making them roughly the same vintage as a Bach masterpiece ... So it is apt that The Seekers are reforming to support classical music superstar André Rieu on his Australian tour later this year. Rieu set about organising the reunion after discovering the song "I am Australian" during his tour last year. He performed the song with radio broadcaster Alan Jones at his Sydney shows.

"This song was enough for me, when you can compose and sing this song, you must be marvellous," Rieu says. And so he Googled the Seekers and discovered the pop folk act had sold more than 50 million albums. "I always want to do something more than my normal concerts, so I thought why not book the Seekers," he said. "But I saw they're not anymore together - I was talking with a man who said, `If there's one man in the world who can bring them together, perhaps it's you'.

"I have built three castles in Australia, bringing back The Seekers together was the next challenge." Seekers singer Judith Durham said the call from Rieu to their management was something of a shock. "It was out of the blue," Durham said. "We weren't thinking about performing together again. We had our own projects. "It's going to be really, really special and I think André is going to conduct the orchestra for us," she said.

Rieu has invited the band to rehearse with him in Europe and is yet to decide how many songs the group will perform - he thinks probably three or four, but will wait until he meets them. While time has marched on for The Seekers, Durham says AC/DC and the Rolling Stones prove you can put on a good show at any age. "The Rolling Stones are practically the same age and they perform full-on for two hours."

Tour dates confirmed so far are:

16th & 17th October – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
19th & 20th October – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
26th & 27th October – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
29th October – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
31st October & November 1st – Acer Arena, Sydney

Tickets are on-sale now through www.ticketek.com.au
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You can watch a video interview with the reunited group here


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April 2010

Keith Potger Releases Third Solo CD


The CD is called 'Smile Now' and was launched at the National Folk Festival in Canberra.

You can buy 'Smile Now' via Keith's website: http://www.artistsbusiness.info/

 

Keith is also playing some live dates in September - see www.artistsbusiness.info/page2.htm

 

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April 2009

EMI UK release a 4CD set featuring all of Judith & The Seekers' recordings made for EMI between 1964 and 1968 - including a previously unreleased track.

Click here for more details, full tracklist & soundclips

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March 2009

Judith sings 'The Carnival is Over' on Aus TV show

To watch the performance, click the link below:

http://www.sbs.com.au/rockwiz/past/339/Judith-Durham

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February 2009

Bruce Woodley's performance of 'I am Australian'
at Bushfire service to be released as a CD single.

From the Sony BMG website:

'I Am Australian' Single Now Available To Purchase To Raise Money For The Salvos Bushfire Appeal

Sony Music has released 'I AM AUSTRALIAN', the live and reworked version as sung by Bruce Woodley, Claire Woodley, Kinglake residents and Australian Country Music singers David and Merelyn Carter on Sunday 22nd February 2009 at the Commemorative Service to mark the National Day Of Mourning for the Bushfire Victims, held at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne.

'I AM AUSTRALIAN' is Australia's unofficial National Anthem. Written by The Seekers' member Bruce Woodley and Dobe Newton from The Bushwackers in 1987 it has since been embraced by Australians as a song of pride and passion that reflects our feelings and attitudes as a nation.

Bruce Woodley said "It was a profoundly moving experience, and an incredible honour to be able to make a contribution like that. My daughter Claire sang a truly wonderful acapella opening chorus and you could have heard a pin drop in the arena. When we sang the last two choruses, the entire audience stood up as a show of solidarity and respect for all those affected by the bushfires."

To listen to the track & buy the download version click on the link below:

For those outside Australia, you can buy the CD version here.

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Judith Durham's new 'A Cappella' downloads and CD

  From Judith's official website:

In July 2006 Judith was asked to sing at a spiritual gathering in Sydney to hear an Indian Master speak. The request was very specific; to sing five songs ‘a cappella’ (unaccompanied). Judith bought sheet music for her first and last songs which she had never heard before: “In The Garden” and “Breathe On Me, Breath Of God”, whereas she already loved and had frequently performed the other three songs:  “Precious Lord”, “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Amazing Grace”. 

The experience was very different from any other performance. Unannounced, Judith sat in the front row with her back to the audience, and the lyrics became like prayers while the Guru’s presence focused thoughts of the Lord. The purity of the presentation helped to engender a peaceful environment with attention on spirituality amongst the 2,000 people present. Comments afterwards were so positive from those present, that Judith decided to record those songs in exactly the same manner, in case anyone might some day wish to listen to the unadorned human voice which could possibly suit a restful ambience within someone’s own personal space. Since then, over the last two years, a wider repertoire in this vein has been recorded by Judith, and Musicoast is now delighted to bring the ‘a cappella’ collection to you, initially as weekly digital downloads, and later as an entire album on CD.

Tracks available to download (A$2.00 each from www.judithdurham.com ) include:

'In The Garden'
'Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace'
'Breathe On Me Breath Of God'

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July 2008

The Seekers Perform with Rolf Harris!

Jul 1st, 2008 - The Seekers Join Rolf Harris Onstage For His ARIA Hall Of Fame Induction

At the invitation of ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Aussie icons The Seekers joined Rolf Harris, one of Australia's most famous exports, for his induction into the 2008 ARIA Hall of Fame. Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley – who were 1995 inductees into the Hall Of Fame – were on hand at Melbourne Town Hall for the recording industry's annual showpiece event, joining Rolf in the evening’s climax of “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport”.

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2007

Keith Potger Releases second Solo CD

Keith has released his second solo album, 'Sunday'

 



Tracklist:

      1.   Shanty Town (Guest Vocals: Athol Guy)
2.   Oli-V and Me
3.   The Face I Can't Forget
4.   All My Life
5.   There Was a Time
6.   You in the Mirror
7.   Honey Farm
8.   Love Me Again
9.   Sleep Tight
10. I'm Lost Without You
11. Sun Rise

For details of Keith's first CD, 'Secrets of the heart', see Bruce & Keith's Solo page

To buy either of Keith's CDs, visit Quality Point.

On 3rd December 2005, while on a visit to the UK, Keith gave a one-off concert at Dinton Village Hall, Dinton, near Salisbury, to help raise funds for small villages in rural areas. Further concerts took place in 2007 - including a performance with The New Seekers! -  and more are planned.
 

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2006

The Seekers - Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley - were presented with the keys to the city of Melbourne by Lord Mayor John So. Channel 9 News Australia, September 1, 2006

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt919_0u-lM

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2005

*** CD and DVD releases***

The Seekers Ultimate collection

The 'Ultimate Collection' CD contains 25 tracks personally chosen by The Seekers. The music spans 40 years from the hits of the 60s through the 90s reunion to a brand new bonus track, 'Massachusetts'. Originally written by the Bee Gees with The Seekers in mind, the group have now recorded the song as a tribute to Maurice Gibb.

The Ultimate Collection CD

Click here for details.

The Seekers have also released a ‘live’ CD called "Night of Nights", which was recorded during their 'Carnival of Hits' tour of Australia and the UK. It's a double CD, released on the Sony label in Australia. The Seekers were on top form during this tour, and this CD features the Melbourne show.

Click here for full details, soundclips and where to order the CD.

Recent DVD releases include The Seekers' Australian TV specials from the 60s and their 25th year reunion celebration (which includes bonus footage). For details and where to order, see the CDs and videos page.

The Seekers' first ever album has been re-released for the first time on CD. EMI have also included the Seekers in their As, Bs and EPs series of CDs, which feature original mono recordings. See link above for details

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2003/4 Tours

The Seekers celebrated their 40th anniversary as a group with two concert tours of Australia and New Zealand. The group officially disbanded after the 2004 tour, although they did perform another show later that year - in Hong Kong!

The 2003 tour was originally called the "Never say Never Again" tour. When interviewed by the Herald Sun, The Seekers’ bass player Athol Guy said the tongue-in-cheek name was chosen to play on the group's numerous comebacks, with three tours having been completed since their 1993 announcement they were hitting the road for the last time. 

"We learned from previous experiences that you never say never again. Every time we meet people they say, 'Oh, is this another last goodbye tour?' so we're having a bit of fun with it. You just never know what's around the corner.

"A few years ago we never would have thought that we could be together to play again because we're not a permanent band any more and the Seekers don't exist except when we get together and have a bit of fun."

Lead singer Judith Durham says the idea to reform came after Australia Post approached them about honouring their career achievements with a souvenir stamp collection, which was launched on Oct 7th (see feature below).

Keith Potger, who lives in Western Australia, says the group's longevity was founded on friendship. "We're very different people and we all have strong opinions but we're a very democratic group," he said.

 

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Judith Durham Diamond Jubilee Concert DVD

Judith Durham in Concert

Celebrate with Judith on her first UKconcert tour in seven years. Hear that legendary golden voice in a 2-hour concert of her own inspirational compositions and uplifting Seekers hits including The Carnival Is Over, Georgy Girl and Colours Of My Life.

The DVD/video, recorded at the Royal Festival Hall in Londonentitled "Diamond Night" is available now. For more details, see the Judith Durham Solo page.

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2002

Seekers ride high in all-time UK Top 100

'The Carnival is Over' is officially the 30th best selling single in UK chart history! The Top 100 singles of the last 50 years (since the chart began) was compiled in October 2002.

Full Chart list

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The Seekers were featured on a stamp set from Australia Post.

You can order the set here:
http://www.2.auspost.com.au/stamps/stampshop_1.asp?product_type=7


An exciting time for The Seekers - here's a 'real audio' clip of Judith commenting on all the events. Judith.rm. My thanks go to Peter Blight for providing this clip.

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Judith Durham Concert CD

Following her successful concert with the Melbourne Welsh Choir at the Melbourne Concert Hall on March 3rd, 2002, a CD of the concert is now available.

For full details of the CD please click here
 

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November 2001

The Seekers release new Christmas CD

In May and June 2001, Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley got together in Melbourne to record a new Studio Album of delightful Christmas songs. The release of their very first Christmas album marks a return to The Seekers' distinctive folksy 60's sound.

Click here for full details & soundclips

 

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Bruce Woodley Solo CD

Bruce Woodley has released a new Solo CD: 'I am Australian'. Featuring the singing talents of his Daughter Claire, this CD contains 11 new recordings of songs written by Bruce, plus those of legendary Australians Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson.

The CD is available through iamaustralian.com

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Seekers CDs, videos and publications 

Seekers Charity Concert Review + pics 

The World of The Seekers