Lost Seekers TV Clip Rediscovered After 60 Years

The earliest surviving television appearance of the 1960s band The Seekers has been rediscovered and digitized. The eight-minute video captures the band performing "A Closer Walk with Thee" and "Myra" for the live variety show "In Melbourne Tonight." This rare footage, originally broadcast on March 23, 1964, had been forgotten for six decades. It was sent by the band to a UK talent agency as a promotional reel, marking a pivotal moment before their global fame.

The Seekers achieved significant international success, becoming the first Australian act to reach No. 1 on the UK singles chart with "I'll Never Find Another You" in 1965. They followed this with another chart-topper, "The Carnival Is Over," and secured six UK top 10 hits within two years, including the Academy Award-nominated "Georgy Girl."

In 1967, The Seekers performed for an estimated 200,000 people, a record for the southern hemisphere, and were named Australians of the Year. Lead singer Judith Durham pursued a solo career in 1967 and reunited with the band on occasion. The band was later inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1995. Durham passed away in 2022 at the age of 79.

The rediscovered footage was acquired by the National Film and Sound Archive to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Australian television's launch. Keith Potger, curator of Judith Durham's memorabilia, donated the rare film, which is now available for public enjoyment.