THE SEEKERS STAR JUDITH DURHAM ‘I FEEL SO BLESSED’
Hey there, Georgy girl.’ Australia’s first lady of pop has just celebrated her 75th birthday in fine style. And life is by no means slowing down for the treasured singer-songwriter.
More than half a century after Judith shot to the top of the charts with fellow Seekers Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley, she’s still making hit music as a solo artist.
Judith has now released So Much More, her first new album in five years. And she is thrilled that the album has already been embraced by fans of all ages.
‘I had quite a lot of songs which I had the great thrill, privilege and joy of composing,’ Judith says. ‘The very first one dates back 51 years, and I’m still writing. I’ve never stopped. I’m a very prolific person and I am now realising I am what you call a singer-songwriter. The idea of that hadn’t quite dawned on me to the extent that it’s true.
‘It’s an absolute miracle, when you think how long the journey has already been. It’s a very inspiring and joyful experience, and I feel very grateful for this lovely journey I’ve been on.’ Certainly, Judith, a
deeply spiritual person, knows never to take life for granted. In 1990, she suffered a fractured wrist and leg in a tragic car accident which claimed another life.
Then, in 1994, came the devastating loss to motor neurone disease of Judith’s beloved husband, acclaimed British pianist and musical director Ron Edgeworth. ‘It was a dream,’ reflects Judith of their marriage. ‘You think “How could I have met Ron, when he was born in England and here I was in Australia, and never the twain shall meet?” I feel a milliontimes-over blessed. Nothing is of my doing.’
In 2013, just as The Seekers kicked off their 50th anniversary tour in Melbourne, Judith suffered a brain haemorrhage that left her having to re-learn how to read and write.
‘The fact that you take a step each day is such a thrill in itself,’ says Judith. ‘Having had the brain haemorrhage and then of course being so, so blessed to come through that very sad and serious car accident... it could have been me as well.
‘It’s been a very interesting learning process for me, all these years, of how much adversity people are overcoming with their various problems, and of my learning to read and write again after the brain haemorrhage. And, of course, how much music can be part of that – that’s been the most thrilling. Happiness comes through so many songs, not just the ones I’ve been thrilled to have in my heart.’
A long-time vegetarian, Judith takes her health seriously.
‘My husband was already a vegetarian when I met him,’ she says. ‘Not that I gave up [eating meat] for him. I had weight problems in those days, so I became very interested in diet.
‘I also have a very bad cough, called bronchiectasis. I’ve had it since I was four, so I’ve always been looking out for things that might help me deal with it. You just dig deeper and deeper. I wanted to still be making music and singing on stage. I also wanted to follow a spiritual path. Meditation is definitely also part of my life – it’s very important.’
Judith also makes sure to catch up with the former Seekers every chance she gets.
‘Oh definitely,’ she says. ‘And, of course, having just turned 75, we had the most remarkable day on my birthday. It was thrilling to see Bruce and Athol there. Keith was in NSW, but I got a lovely message from him and it was just so beautiful that he felt part of everything too.
‘So they were here, along with some close friends and family – people very, very close to me. It was just a truly remarkable birthday – I can’t imagine having a more pleasurable celebration. And, really, it feels like it’s still continuing.’
‘IT’S AN ABSOLUTE MIRACLE... A VERY INSPIRING AND JOYFUL EXPERIENCE... THIS LOVELY JOURNEY’