KEITH POTGER-THE SEEKERS-”GEORGY GIRL”…& the story continues!

KEITH POTGER…
Keith Potger is an Australian musician, singer, songwriter and producer, best known as a founding member of the internationally acclaimed folk-pop group The Seekers.
Born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to South African parents, Potger moved to Australia with his family as a child. In 1962, he formed The Seekers with Judith Durham, Athol Guy and Bruce Woodley. The group achieved worldwide success during the 1960s with songs including “I’ll Never Find Another You,” “A World of Our Own,” “The Carnival Is Over” and “Georgy Girl.”
Potger played guitar, banjo and other instruments and contributed vocals and songwriting to the group. Following The Seekers’ original break-up in 1968, he continued working as a musician, producer and songwriter, while also pursuing solo projects.
He has remained closely associated with The Seekers through their later reunions and performances and is recognised as an important figure in Australian popular and folk music.

THE SEEKERS…
The Seekers were an Australian folk-pop and gospel group formed in Melbourne in 1962. Their classic lineup consisted of the charismatic singer Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Bruce Woodley, and Keith Potger. They became particularly well known during the 1960s for their distinctive four-part harmonies and major hits such as “I’ll Never Find Another You,” “The Carnival Is Over,” “A World of Our Own,” and “Georgy Girl.” In 1965, “I’ll Never Find Another You” reached No. 1 in the UK, Australia, and several other countries.
The Seekers made history as the first Australian group to achieve major international success in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In 1967, they were named Australians of the Year, while in 2014, the four members of the classic lineup were each appointed Officers of the Order of Australia.
The group initially disbanded in 1968, but reunited several times over the following decades. Judith Durham died in 2022 at the age of 79, effectively marking the end of The Seekers’ journey as a group.
With their warm folk sound and the distinctive voice of Judith Durham, The Seekers remain one of the most important and recognizable groups in Australian music history.

INTERVIEW.
Keith Potger from Melbourne to Kythera…
Keith Potger of The Seekers speaks exclusively to AthensCalling.

Athenscalling.gr : Time has passed, yet the music of The Seekers continues to touch people around the world. When you look back at those years, what is the first image or memory that comes to your mind?

Keith Potger: The first memory is of me and Athol Guy at the Treble Clef coffee lounge in South Yarra, near Melbourne, Australia, waiting for Bruce Woodley to collect Judith Durham from her home (he lived in the neighbouring suburb) and bring her to us that Monday evening, 3rd December 1962. A few days before, Athol had asked Judith to join the three “boys” and this would be the first time the
four of us had been in the same space together. We talked briefly about songs that we all may know, worked out some quick arrangements and then launched into our performance without any proper rehearsal. It just came together like that.

Athenscalling.gr : The 12-string guitar became one of the defining elements of The Seekers’ sound. What does this instrument mean to you, and how important was it in shaping the group’s sound?

Keith Potger: I had been totally influenced by the legendary Pete Seeger. His singing, 12 string guitar and banjo playing were inspiring to me. I was lucky enough to attend a workshop that Pete Seeger conducted in Melbourne the day after his solo concert there in 1963. When the group arrive in London in 1964 and started working with Tom Springfield, who wrote some amazing hit songs for us, I decided to trade in my 6 string guitar on a second hand 12 string guitar. In October 1964, Tom gave me the rough idea of I’LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU and I worked on the guitar riffs, the solo and the vocal arrangement of the song using my “new” 12 string guitar. It went on from there to be a recognisable sound of the group’s instrumentation. It was the combination of Bruce playing 6 string guitar or banjo, Athol on acoustic bass and me on 12 string guitar that was the main backing sound we carried through our entire performing life.

Athenscalling.gr : Your collaboration with Judith Durham, Athol Guy and Bruce Woodley created something truly special. What do you think made the four of you connect so well musically?

Keith Potger: First, we became true friends and that was the backbone of the group. Second, I realised that the vocal range of the four individuals was about as good as you could get: Judith’s soaring soprano, my tenor, Bruce’s baritone and Athol’s basso just worked out that way. Of course, we had
some spectacular songs. Tom Springfield wrote most of our major hits but not all of them. He was a trusted guiding han as a producer, too, and he became our “Fifth Seeker”.

Athenscalling.gr : The Seekers achieved enormous success at a time when the music scene was changing rapidly. How did you personally experience that sudden international recognition?

Keith Potger: My personal experience was one of great joy and happiness. I’m a positive kind of person and all the recognition we achieved reinforced my belief that there are some wonderful people in this world. To share this with Judith, Athol and Bruce was a bonus. Because we were close friends, we saw what we were doing as our own “thing” that was separate from the changing music scene. We felt that it could only work on its own unique level because we were doing our best collectively.

Athenscalling.gr : If you could return to just one moment in The Seekers’ journey and experience it again, which moment would you choose, and why?

Keith Potger: The 15th of February 1965, the day we were told by our record company that I’LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU had reached the top of the UK and Australian charts probably would be my moment. It was quite exhilarating for us all to experience this.

Athenscalling.gr : After The Seekers, you continued your musical journey and became involved with The New Seekers. What did that second great musical adventure teach you?

Keith Potger: My business partner at the time, David Joseph, and I decided that the legacy of The Seekers was too positive to languish after the group disbanded in 1968. I guess the greatest lesson in David and I forming The New Seekers in 1969 was that there is an enormous amount of talent waiting to be discovered. Having the right mix of that talent, along with the various personalities, is something to aim for always. We were very fortunate for this to happen with The New Seekers.

Athenscalling.gr : Today, after so many decades in music, what is it that still makes you pick up a guitar and play?

Keith Potger: I started writing songs of any value rather late in my musical journey. Consequently, I have the desire to place as many of these songs in front of any audience as long as I possibly can. I’m still writing and currently finishing off several that I will be recording over the next few months and uploading to SoundCloud and YouTube. Also, to be able to present myself in front of audiences in arts centres and theatres is a great joy. It means I can keep the name of The Seekers going in my own way as well as performing some of my original material. My voice is hanging in there and I can twang out a reasonable backing on my trusty 12 string or banjo.

Athenscalling.gr : Do you believe that music can still bring together people from different countries, generations and cultures, as The Seekers’ music did?

Keith Potger: I genuinely believe that music is the ultimate platform for togetherness. The sheer variety of music available means that it crosses cultures, covers all moods, cares for sensitivities, informs and can provide every level of pure joy. The Seekers are but a part of this musical tapestry.

Athenscalling.gr : Greece has a very strong musical tradition and a special audience that appreciates folk and timeless pop music. What do you know about Greece, and what would you like to say to Greek listeners who love your music?

Keith Potger: The Seekers have a loyal following in Greece and I would say: “Keep going!”. A little known fact is that Judith Durham has Greek ancestry at a great grand parent level. I have an affinity for the island of Kythera. I cannot explain it. This island has called to me for decades. I wa able to visit with my partner, Elizabeth Hawkes, in 2014 and am making plans to return as soon as I can make space for the journey.

Athenscalling.gr : If you had the opportunity to give one piece of advice to a young musician beginning their career today, what would it be?

Keith Potger: Believe in yourself and never give up! Persistence is the key.