I mentioned yesterday that I have a bunch more videos of The Seekers that I've held off posting,m since I went on a Seekers jag a while back. What with yesterday's piece about the new Australia musical about the group (which looks poorly done, but with great music...), I figured this would be a good time to post a few of them. What's stunning about The Seekers is that even though they broke up in 1968 after about five years of great success -- most especially in Australia and the U.K., though with three big hits in the U.S. -- is that they've continued to get together for FIFTY YEARS, usually timed for some big anniversary, though not always.. Often, when group reunite after decades, while there might be enjoyment in seeing them, it's sometimes a little uncomfortable, as it appears they're trying to recapture another time that's long gone. But for all the videos I've seen of The Seekers, I don't get that sense. And I don't think it's just my perception, in that it shows by the fact that they have these periodic tours, not just a brief gathering. I'm not quite sure why this is with The Seekers, that they've remained as popular and beloved as they have (particularly in Australia, and also in the U.K.), but I can't think of at least two reasons. One is that their acoustic music wasn't as firmly grounded in A Time, and while it isn't a popular music of today, it's not especially dated, but more of a traditional sensibility. The other reason is simpler -- lead singer Judith Durham has a unique sound to her voice that remains soaring.. This is a video from as recently as 2010 when they were preparing a brief tour and appeared on an Australian morning talk show, singing what is probably their biggest hit, "I'll Never Find Another You." (I think that "Georgy Girl" is probably their most iconic song, and the one that people most-affectionately identify them with, but I believe that this was their most-successful song.) As you'll see, Judith Durham and "the boys" are still in very fine voice. And, oh, by the way, I adore Judith Durham. I know there's a long line ahead of me...
4 Comments
Don Friedman
2/17/2017 07:14:24 pm
Actually, this is not that unusual. There are still a number of groups from the '60s and early '70s who still perform--I notice that, for example, the Association, the Grassroots and Jay and the Americans still do shows. In the U.S., bands like this are playing casinos, cruise ships, state fairs, large amusement parks and theaters.
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Robert Elisberg
2/17/2017 10:16:43 pm
Just to clarify, that specifically was my point. Not that there is still a group using the name of the original group with maybe one or two original members -- but that the entire original group is still performing 50 years later.
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GregVB
2/18/2017 10:06:34 am
Methinks there are more than a couple things going for these folks (duh):
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Robert Elisberg
2/18/2017 12:04:44 pm
There is the video a TV interview Judith Durham did on the day she had been given a Queen's honor, and it is the most gracious, humble, lovely thing. And as I said, group interviews in more recent years are just warm and ingratiating to watch.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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