Judith Durham, lead vocalist of folk music group The Seekers, dies at 79

Australian singer Judith Durham, who ruled the folk genre and rose to fame in 1962 after joining `The Seekers` as the band`s lead vocalist, has died at the age of 79.

Her death was confirmed by Musicoast Pty. Ltd. and Universal Music Australia, who announced the news through a joint statement posted via The Seeker`s official Facebook page, reports People magazine.

"After a brief stay in Alfred Hospital, Judith was admitted to Palliative Care on Friday 5 August, where she passed away peacefully that evening," the statement read. "Her death was a result of complications from a long-standing chronic lung disease."

In the statement, according to `People` magazine, her fellow surviving members of The Seekers --Keith Potger, Bruce Woodley, and Athol Guy -- said their lives "are changed forever losing our treasured lifelong friend and shining star.""Her struggle was intense and heroic -- never complaining of her destiny and fully accepting its conclusion," they shared. "Her magnificent musical legacy Keith, Bruce and I are so blessed to share."

People magazine notes that she was born in Melbourne on July 3, 1943. Durham, whose legal name was Judith Mavis Cock -- began her professional singing career at the age of 18 after asking the leader of the Melbourne University Jazz Band if she could join the group.

In 1962, she became a member of The Seekers, a band that transformed her into an international star. With hits including `I`ll Never Find Another You`, `I am Australian` and `Georgy Girl`, the folk music group has sold more than 50 million records worldwide.