Tributes move for The Seekers lead singer Judith Durham

Tributes are flowing after the demise The Seekers lead singer Judith Durham.

The worldwide music legend died on the age of 79 on Friday after she skilled problems from a long-standing persistent lung illness.

Durham’s beloved sister Beverley Sheehan spoke of the closeness they shared all through life, together with their love of music.

“Judith’s pleasure for all times, her fixed optimism, creativity and generosity of spirit had been at all times an inspiration to me.”

On behalf of his brother Ben and sister Belinda, Durham’s nephew Tony Sheehan mentioned “we have now been blessed to share our lives along with her.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Durham as “a nationwide treasure and an Australian icon”.

“Judith Durham gave voice to a brand new strand of our identification and helped blaze a path for a brand new era of Aussie artists,” Albanese mentioned on Twitter.

“Her kindness can be missed by many, the anthems she gave to our nation won’t ever be forgotten.”

Durham’s biographer and The Seekers administration staff member Graham Simpson mentioned it was “a tragic day for Judith’s household, her fellow Seekers, the employees of Musicoast, the music business and followers worldwide”.

“All of us who’ve been a part of Judith’s life for therefore lengthy,” Simpson mentioned.

Athol Man launched an announcement on behalf of the band saying their lives had “modified endlessly dropping our treasured lifelong good friend and shining star”.

“Her battle was intense and heroic — by no means complaining of her future and totally accepting its conclusion,” Man mentioned.

“Her magnificent musical legacy Keith, Bruce and I are so blessed to share.”

Common Music Australia and New Zealand president George Ash mentioned nice artists “turn into a part of our material and our prolonged household” and Durham “was no exception”.

“She was a power of nature, continuously energised with a ardour for music and life,” Ash mentioned.

“We had been all privileged to have recognized Judith and heard her heavenly voice.

“We’re deeply saddened by her passing and can miss her dearly.”

Cyrus Meher-Homji, a senior vice chairman at Common Music Australia and New Zealand, paid tribute to Durham’s “artistry” and advised of discovering her brilliance when he was a toddler.

“How would a five-year-old perceive the message and spirit of The Carnival Is Over? Maybe not, however that’s the age at which I first encountered Judith Durham and The Seekers, and I used to be entranced,” Meher-Homji mentioned.

“In 2011, we at Common Music Australia had been fortunate sufficient to signal Judith Durham to Decca Australia, at which era Judith wrote of her happiness, realizing that ‘the Common/Decca household now additionally maintain on to my dream and mission to uplift and convey happiness to music followers world wide’.

“Excessive above, the daybreak awaits you, Judith. Your artistry will endlessly be enshrined in our souls.”