Pop’s finest hit town
WHEN legendary Australian pop group the Seekers came to Geelong in March 1968 to perform two concerts the popular band was said to have upheld its reputation.
The group had been booked at the last minute to play two concerts at the Geelong Theatre in Ryrie St as part of a tour of regional Victoria.
The theatre later became the Village Twin and then the current Village theatre complex.
Formed in Melbourne in 1962, the Seekers comprised lead singer Judith Durham, Keith Potger, Athol Guy and Bruce Woodley.
The folk-influenced group became the first Australian pop group to achieve success in the UK and the US.
One of the highlights of their success had been receiving a standing ovation from an audience of 110,000 people at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne in 1966.
The tour of regional Victoria in 1968 was said to have been at the expense of several engagements in Britain, which had to be postponed.
It was also said to have been organised at the last minute.
The reported the next day that autograph hunters sneaked back stage, but the four members obliged, chatting to children.
The group was best known for its hits including and
The music critic at the time of the 1968 concert, Ian Brand, was not exactly full of praise in his review that appeared in the paper.
In his piece, the reviewer reminded readers that Acker Bilk was performing at the Geelong Theatre the following Friday night and most people would probably find that more rewarding.
Four months after the Geelong concerts the group disbanded when Judith Durham left to pursue a solo career.
The band got together for some reunion tours after that, and were in Geelong again in 2013 for a concert at Costa Hall.
In 1995 they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Woodley’s and co-writer Dobe Newton’s song
which was recorded by the Seekers, has since become something of an unofficial Australian anthem. Contact: peterjohnbegg@gmail.com