The Seekers, folk music band, formed in 1962 when jazz singer Judith Durham met Athol Guy and his folk trio partners, Bruce Woodley and Keith Potger. Durham added harmonies and jazz and gospel influences to the group's repertoire, which included songs such as 'South Australia' and 'Waltzing Matilda', the latter released as a single in Australia. With new material including gospel songs such as the maddening 'Kumbaya', the group moved to England in May 1964. By November they hit number 1 with 'I'll Never Find Another You', which sold almost two million copies and reached number 3 in the USA. It was followed to the top of the UK charts by 'A World of Our Own' and the huge hit 'The Carnival Is Over'. In December 1966 'Morningtown Ride' became their fourth number one hit and a few months later 'Georgy Girl' took The Seekers to the top of the US billboard. In 1967 the entire group was named Australian of the Year. The Seekers broke up in 1968 but regrouped in 1993 for a 25th anniversary reunion tour, playing more than a hundred concerts in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Rennie Ellis reported on the tour for Who magazine.
Australians of the Year 1967
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005
© Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive
www.RennieEllis.com.au
Accession number: 2005.87
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Rennie Ellis (age 53 in 1993)
Judith Durham AO OAM (age 50 in 1993)
Athol Guy (age 53 in 1993)
Bruce Woodley (age 51 in 1993)
Keith Potger (age 52 in 1993)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Bon Scott and Angus Young photographed by Rennie Ellis are part of a display celebrating summer and images of the shirtless male.
Rennie Ellis photographs the self-proclaimed 'Witch of Kings Cross'.
The exhibition Aussies all features the ecclectic portrait photography of Rennie Ellis which captures Australian life during the 70s and 80s.
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