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Olivia Newton-John's tribute to Judith Durham resurfaces after both singers die within days of each other

Olivia Newton-John’s 1997 tribute video for The Seekers singer Judith Durham goes viral after both Australian icons die within days of each other
UPDATED AUG 9, 2022
A 1997 video of Olivia Newton-John (L) paying a tribute (inset) to Judith Durham (R) has gone viral again (Scott Barbour/Getty Images and Kabo/YouTube)
A 1997 video of Olivia Newton-John (L) paying a tribute (inset) to Judith Durham (R) has gone viral again (Scott Barbour/Getty Images and Kabo/YouTube)

After the news of Olivia Newton-John’s demise, who was battling with breast cancer, broke out on August 8, an old video of hers has gone viral. In it, the 'Grease' actress shares a touching tribute to The Seekers singer Judith Durham on ‘This Is Your Life,’ a reality documentary series broadcast on NBC television. The 1997 video is from when the show was being hosted by its creator and producer Ralph Edwards. The video's viral popularity right now could also be attributed to the fact that Judith herself passed away due to long-standing lung disease three days ago, on August 5.

In the video, Olivia, who was 48 at the time, can be seen congratulating Judith on her achievements, saying, "Congratulations, this must be quite a day for you. I want to congratulate you on everything you’ve accomplished as a person. I know you’ve been through some terrible troubles over the past few years. Everywhere you have kept such a brave front, an enchanting smile and that beautiful voice that I have always admired.” She further added, "Judith, I love your voice, you’re such an amazing singer."

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Fans react to the death of two 'icons' 

One fan tweeted, "2 great Australian singers that we have just lost. Judith Durham and Olivia Newton John. RIP," while another said, "Vale Judith Durham and Olivia Newton-John. The carnival may, indeed, be over...but we honestly loved you." One more tweet remarked, "The sad deaths of two female Australian icons in one week. Judith Durham had hits with The Seekers from before I was even born. And who could ever forget going to see Olivia Newton John as Sandy in Grease in 1978. Both legends. RIP."



 



 



 

Judith's battle with lung disease

Judith, who was born as Judith Mavis Cock in the Melbourne suburb of Essendon in 1943, changed her name to her mother's maiden name at the age of 19. According to ABCNews, The Seekers was formed in 1962 and comprised four men. However, when one member left, the remaining three members, Keith Potger, Athol Guy and Bruce Woodley, decided to find a female lead singer. And this is how Judith became a part of the group in 1963. Soon, they became the first Australian band to achieve major chart and sales success in the UK and the US, selling 50 million records, as per AP. Their global hits included 'The Carnival is Over,' 'I’ll Never Find Another You,' 'A World of Our Own' and 'Georgy Girl.'

Australian pop group The Seekers brandishing their Carl Alan Award for Best New Group Of 1965, at the Empire Ballroom, Leicester Square, London. The award was presented to the group by Dame Margot Fonteyn. From left to right, Athol Guy, Keith Potger, Judith Durham and Bruce Woodley.
Australian pop group The Seekers brandishing their Carl Alan Award for Best New Group Of 1965, at the Empire Ballroom, Leicester Square, London (John Waterman/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

In 2014, Judith spoke about her battle with lung disease and how she survived after a brain haemorrhage episode. She told The Mirror, "I knew something was wrong while we were on tour in my home town Melbourne last May. We’d just completed the first night of our concerts and I was planning on having a bite to eat in my hotel room. I thought I’d just pop the TV on, but when I went to press the buttons, I realised that I couldn’t remember how to turn a TV on." She further said, "It was then that I realised I wasn’t feeling quite right. After a scan, doctors quickly diagnosed a brain haemorrhage." Judith succumbed to her lung disease while under treatment at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

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