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The Seekers

In their own words

Recorded 2013

The Seekers
Audio: 2 minutes 3 seconds

Oh, look, we're thrilled to bits to realise that we're part of history.

It's wonderful, you know, you see yourself in photos a lot and other visuals. But to see it this way and to be hung in this magnificent gallery is just a wonderful feeling; just a great thrill to be here to see it like that.

Standing beside it too.

Helen Edwards is a dear friend who has become a dear friend to us, so it was a great deal of fun as well. And she painted – well we sat or stood for it originally when we were rehearsing. So, Helen was able to sit in on some of our rehearsals as well and get some of the atmosphere that we have during our rehearsals, which is normally very joyous occasions.

It's nice. It's nice and reflective, too, because we always have a lot of fun together and rehearsing’s an interesting side to our personalities as well, but to see it like that, I don’t I mean introspective, but it's just a nice look.

It’s to celebrate our 50 years too, that we commissioned her to do it. This was so important. I mean, Bruce has also got something to say on that, I think.

On what?

50 years, you know.

Well that's the whole point of it, this is the 50th anniversary since we started and starting off with a big tour.

50 years together. And someone said to me the other day, not just in the original format from the ‘60s, the only group possibly still around. But for 50 years – I think was Andrea Rieu said he can't think of any band, any group that's been around for 50 years, you know, original format.

That's the key thing, you see, sadly even Peter, Paul and Mary – now Mary's gone. So, we know we're waiting to see if somebody does remind us ‘Oh but you’ve forgotten so and so.’ But so far as far as chart topping groups, we do believe we're very, very fortunate to be able to stand here today in front of our portrait and say, ‘Well, we're all alive,’ you know?

Absolutely right. Yes.

Although I think I'm getting shorter than the other two boys. Years ago, we were all the same height.

Yeah, we all shrink I think as we get older, and as of July we'll all be in our 70s so we treasure each day. And so, you know, to be able to still sing and sound exactly as we did back in the ‘60s. It's a big thrill.

Audio transcript

Acknowledgements

Reproduced by permission of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Library Sales. ABC Local Radio © 2013 ABC.

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The Seekers

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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