Athol Guy

Athol George Guy (born 5 January 1940 ) is an Australian musician and former politician who was a member of the Australian folk-pop music group the Seekers, for whom he played double bass and sang. He is recognisable by his black-framed "Buddy Holly" style glasses and, during live performances, often acted as the group's compère.

Early life Athol George Guy was born on 5 January 1940 in Colac, Victoria, the son of George Francis Guy (RAN) and Doris Thelma (née Cole) Guy. Guy was educated at Gardenvale Central School, where he was school captain. He entered Melbourne High School, where he was twice under age athletic champion and an officer in the cadet corps. During this time he was Victorian Sub Junior High Jump Champion and then silver medallist to Olympian Colin Ridgway the next year.

Music

The Seekers

Guy formed his first musical group in 1958, the Ramblers, resulting in his move into performance, marketing and production at GTV9. Progressing via HSV7, media manager with the Clemenger Group and account exec with J. Walter Thompson, he then set sail with the folk-pop and gospel group the Seekers for 10 weeks' holiday abroad. The group was composed of him, Bruce Woodley, Keith Potger, and trad-jazz singer Judith Durham. On his return he established his own consulting company and compèred two national TV shows.

The Seekers would have many hits during the 1960s including "I'll Never Find Another You", "A World of Our Own", "The Carnival Is Over" and "Georgy Girl"; all were written or co-written by Tom Springfield and were each awarded a gold disc. The Seekers have sold over 50 million records worldwide.

His opinion of the group is that they were "blessed" in many ways, and aided in revolutionizing the folk scene during their time together (both in their homeland and abroad). In a 2018 interview, Guy touched how the Seekers' music was unique and distinctive in the 60's, particularly when it came to the folk and gospel they popularised during the distinctly countercultural era - the interviewer saying: "Now I know that gospel songs were important to the folk scene at that time - before Dylan kind of revolutionised". Guy added: "I think we all came together musically with our own sense of, you know, the spiritual nature of music... (and) the effect music can have in your life and lives."

When the Seekers broke up in 1968 (due to Durham announcing her leave to pursue a solo career and start a family), Guy later joined the ensuing incarnations of the same, featuring the rotating line of lead singer replacements.

Guy has taken part in subsequent reunions of the Seekers since 1993, when they celebrated the silver jubilee of their 1968 break up. Since reforming again in 1988, and until 2022, Guy had continued to tour as a member of the Seekers, along with original members Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley.

Television host When the Seekers disbanded in 1968, Guy hosted his own variety series — A Guy Called Athol — on Australia's Seven Network, and later the quiz show The Big 9 on the Nine Network. A guest on one episode of Big Nine was Hutton Gibson, father of actor Mel Gibson.

Personal life Guy is a widower, and had a daughter, Alissa Guy, with his wife. In an interview on May 6, 2015 he stated his daughter was his proudest achievement, and she was 35 at the time of the interview. About her, he also said: "She is progressing beautifully in life. Sadly, she lost her mum, my dear wife, about ten years ago. I’m so proud of the way she has handled her life."

He also has a granddaughter who was born in 2012. He also breeds thoroughbred horses and grows grapes on a farm he purchased in 1994.

Guy is a Christian, to write a gospel song for their live concerts, "You're My Spirit".

Guy had a step-sister, Annie Viergever. Viergever was the daughter of Jack Ransom, who went on to marry Guy's mother. She died along with her husband, Jaap Viergever, 64, and their 3 dogs in a housefire. At the time of her death, Guy stated she was in declining health.

As last known, Guy was reported to live in Mt. Macedon, near his now deceased sister's house. In 1968, Guy and the other members of The Seekers were named jointly and severally Australians of the Year 1967. In the 1995 Australia Day Honours, Guy, along with the other members of The Seekers, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). In 2006, Guy and the other members of The Seekers were presented with the Key to the City by Melbourne's Lord Mayor, John So. In 2012, Guy and the other members of the Seekers were honoured by Australia Post with a special Legends Of Australian Music postage stamp. In the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours, Guy, along with the other members of The Seekers, was advanced as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

Discography

Albums TitleAlbum detailsIntroducing the Seekers Released: 1963 Label: W>he Seekers Released: 1964 Label: W&GHide & Seekers Released: 1964 Label: W&GA World of Our Own Released: 1965 Label: Columbia, EMI Music AustraliaCome the Day Released: September 1966 Label: Columbia, EMISeekers Seen in Green Released: November 1967 Label: Columbia, EMiThe Seekers Released: 1975 Label: Astor, PolydorGiving and Taking Released: July 1976 Label: Astor, PolydorLive On Released: March 1989 Label: Polydor RecordsFuture Road Released: October 1997 Label: EMI Music AustraliaMorningtown Ride to Christmas Released: November 2001 Label: Sony Music AustraliaBack to Our Roots Released: June 2019 Label: Sony Music Australia

Live Albums TitleAlbum detailsLive at the Talk of the Town Released: July 1968 Label: Columbia, EMI25 Year Reunion Celebration Released: November 1993 Label: EMI Music Australia1968 BBC Farewell Spectacular Released: November 1999 Label: MushroomNight of Nights... Live! Released: 2002 Label: MushroomFarewell Released: 12 April 2019 Label: DeccaThe Carnival of Hits Tour 2000 Released: 23 August 2019 Label: DeccaLive in the UK Released: 2 July 2021 Label: Decca

Singles TitleYear"Kumbaya"1963"Waltzing Matilda""Myra"1964"I'll Never Find Another You""What Have They Done to the Rain"1965"A World of Our Own""Chilly Winds""Morningtown Ride""Cotton Fields""The Carnival Is Over""Lady Mary""Someday, One Day"1966"Walk with Me""Georgy Girl""Isa Lei""Myra (Shake Up the Party)"1967"On the Other Side""When Will the Good Apples Fall""Emerald City""Love Is Kind, Love Is Wine"1968"Days of My Life""With My Swag All on My Shoulder""Island of Dreams""Children Go Where I Send You"1969"Colours of My Life""Sparrow Song"1975"Love Isn't Love Until You Give It Away""Reunion""Break These Chains"1976"A Part of You""Where in the World""Giving and Taking""Vagabond"1977"How Can a Love So Wrong Be So Right"1988"Building Bridges"1989"Keep a Dream in Your Pocket"1993"A World of Our Own" (re-recording)1994"Georgy Girl" (re-recording)"Calling Me Home"1997"Carry Me"2022